Okay, I bought this SRX with a northstar and AWD back in august of '12. Nice car, good deal (ha) and it runs great, for a while. When it is over 45 degrees Fahrenheit I will run into the problem of the CEL and Trac light coming on, car running rough or going to 'reduced engine power' warning. Codes I get are for the TPS and 1101 0101 intake codes. So I changed out the throttle body and the car ran smoother and better. I did this during 30 degree weather however. As soon as it got around 50, it set the codes again and ran rough.

If I drive the car under 45 degrees fahrenheit (like, all winter) it runs like a charm, no issues. Warmer weather, I can go a few days to maybe 2 weeks before the codes set again.

So..is it something about the air density? Is it some weird thermal expansion of the plugs?

Anyone ever hear of this issue?

just doing google search, seems you can put a piece of tape over the wire in the maf, or have the dealer flash an update.
Check Engine Light, Code P1101 P0068
TECHNICAL

Bulletin No.: 09-06-04-032A

Date: August 06, 2009

Subject: Check Engine Light On, DTC P1101, P0068, P0171, P0174 (Reprogram ECM)

Models:
2004-2006 Cadillac SRX, XLR
2005-2006 Cadillac STS
Equipped with Engine RPO LH2
Please Refer to GMVIS

Supercede:
This bulletin is being revised to change the labor time information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 09-06-04-032 (06 - Engine/Propulsion System)

Condition

Some customers may comment on an illuminated check engine light shortly after a cold start with no engine performance concerns. Upon inspection, DTC P1101 (Intake Air Flow System Performance) may be set. In some instances, DTCs P0068 (Throttle Body Airflow Performance), P0171 (Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1) and/or P0174 (Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 2) may eventually set as a result of the DTC P1101.

Correction

Verify the condition. If the diagnostics in SI for the conditions described above do not isolate a fault, reprogram the ECM with the revised calibration that has been developed to address this condition.

Verify that the multiple diagnostic interface (MDI) that is being used is configured to the PC that will be used.

Warranty Information


((Table is not here, I couldnt copy and paste it, it says .4 hours labor.))

For vehicles reprogrammed under the 8 year/80,000 mile (130,000 km) emission controller warranty, use the table above.

Yea they redid the ECM last year when I initally was having problems and they couldn't figure it out.

I did the electric tape thing so we'll see if it works I just find it odd that it'* temperature dependent.

temp changes are a big deal. as far as tuning, thats why they put a temp sensor in the air intake stream.

True, but not running because it'* 45 degrees out seems odd

I have seen this more than a couple times with the Northstars. There is the reprogram but also have seen intake seals cause this, and there'* a boot between the throttle body and the intake manifold that cracks sometimes as well causing a vacuum leak. Sounds like a vacuum leak to me. The colder it is the more the rubber will contract and open up. Any unmetered air entering the engine after the MAF will cause symptoms that you are describing.

One thing to try when it'* running while it'* cold is take some brake cleaner and spray around the throttle body and where the intake seals to the cylinder heads, if you hear a change in idle or the engine stalls you've found the culprit.

Actually it'* when it warms up that I have the issues, but I'll try that.

a family friend was at a get together and we looked at the caddy and he had said that these codes have been across the GM lines, and what is generally the culprit is the wiring from the TPS to the ECM and they've been re-building those. It makes sense now that it would be more temperature dependend especially at the ECM because it'* behind the front bumper, away from the engine compartment, so the heat from the engine would have nothing to do with it.