The Chevy Cruze is a compact car that’s been in production since 2008. It hasn’t been the most reliable vehicle on the market but isn’t generally known to deal with massive issues. Yet, some people find the P1101 trouble code shows up on the computer when there’s a problem. But, what does the P1101 Chevy Cruze code mean?
In this guide, we discuss the P1101 meaning for Chevy Cruze vehicles. We talk about the symptoms, causes, and possible fixes. We will also show you how to diagnose the problem. When you reach the end of this helpful guide, you’ll have all of your largest questions answered.
Code P1101 Chevy Cruze Definition
- P1101 – Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Out of Self-Test Range (Chevy Cruze)
- P1101 – Intake Air Flow System Performance (other models)
What Does the Chevy Cruze P1101 Code Mean?
The mass air flow (MAF) sensor monitors how much air enters the engine. If it has an abnormal reading, the Check Engine Light comes on to tell you there’s a problem. Additionally, P1101 sets in the computer to show that the range of the MAF is incorrect.
Every car is equipped with an Engine Control Unit (ECU). In the Chevy Cruze, this main computer reads the signals from various sensors to determine how the vehicle is running. If the sensors return an abnormal reading, the Check Engine Light comes on.
This code seems to occur most frequently on the 2011 to 2013 Chevy Cruze. Once the car model reached the 2016 model year, there was a different electronic system installed, along with a new engine, so the problem became less common.
You may also find this code in other Chevrolet models such as Malibu, Equinox and Trax.
What Are The Symptoms Of P1101?
Whether the mass air flow sensor is actually reading numbers that aren’t correct or there’s a problem with the sensor, you are going to see many of the same symptoms. Many of these are related to the performance of the vehicle.
Here are the top P1101 DTC symptoms:
- Check Engine Light
- Rough idle
- Reduced power and acceleration
- Vibrating engine
- Poor fuel economy
What Are The Causes of the P1101 Chevy Cruze Code?
Your first thought may be that the mass air flow sensor is to blame since that’s what the code relates to. However, there are many causes that lead to the same code.
Here are the most common causes:
- Broken air cleaner element bracket (as listed in Chevy service bulletin)
- Bad or dirty mass air flow sensor
- Failing throttle body
- Vacuum leak
- Defective intercooler boot
- Damaged engine wiring harness
How Serious is the P1101 Code?
Medium – You should still be able to drive with this code in the computer. Still, it doesn’t mean you should drive while this is set. Instead, it’s best to diagnose and repair the problem as soon as possible. We recommend heading home or to the local repair shop for troubleshooting.
You also want to avoid being heavy on the throttle during this time because performance could become unpredictable. If you continue pushing too hard, there’s always the chance of engine damage. Baby your vehicle until you are able to have it repaired.
How Do I Fix the P1101 Code?
If you want to fix the P1101 trouble code, you need to diagnose it as we do. In our work, we’ve found these fixes to be the most obvious, although this list isn’t exhaustive. Your troubleshooting efforts may reveal a repair that’s not as common.
- Follow Chevy service bulletin
- Clean mass air flow sensor
- Replace mass air flow sensor
- Replace throttle body
- Repair vacuum leak
- Replace intercooler boot
- Repair engine wiring harness
- Replace air cleaner element bracket
Common P1101 Diagnosis Mistakes
As you attempt to figure out what’s wrong with your Chevy Cruze, there are a lot of mistakes that could be made. One of the most common is assuming you know what is wrong and moving forward by fixing parts without performing the entire diagnosis first.
Even as mechanics, we’ve been guilty of doing this ourselves. It’s easy to jump the gun and assume that the mass air flow sensor needs to be replaced, but it’s not the only part that could be causing trouble. For this reason, we recommend walking through the next steps to determine what’s actually wrong. It’s also possible that the MAF simply needs to be cleaned because it’s become contaminated.
How to Diagnose the P1101 Chevy Cruze Trouble Code?
Before you get started diagnosing the Chevy Cruze P1101 trouble code, consider getting a service manual for your vehicle. Instead of looking up questionable information online, you can go right to the source. These manuals give you step-by-step instructions, provide schematics and show you the appropriate specifications for every system.
Here are the steps we recommend for troubleshooting this code.
- Read the computer trouble codes with an OBD scanner. If more than the P1101 code exists, you can use it to narrow down the problem. Use our trouble code library to figure out what’s going on.
- If there are too many trouble codes in the system, reset it and allow the faults to reoccur. The most recent codes will be the ones that are most important.
- Follow the steps in the technical service bulletin regarding this issue.
- Test the mass air flow sensor based on the specifications in the service manual. A multimeter is all that’s needed. Clean or replace the mass air flow sensor.
- Test other possible faulty parts. Look at the engine wiring harness to see if there are obvious defects. Replace the air cleaner element bracket, wiring harness or any other part that’s not working as it should.
- Clear the codes and test drive the vehicle to ensure it has been repaired.
If you have trouble figuring out what’s wrong or you can’t repair the problem, reach out to a local auto mechanic. Finding a good mechanic is easy to do if you reference Google reviews.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Code P1101?
The cost you spend depends upon what needs to be fixed and where you take it to be repaired. If you perform the repair at home, you’ll only need to spend money on the parts, which can save a lot of cash. Here are a few estimates to consider.
- Clean the mass air flow sensor: $10 to $50
- Replace mass air flow sensor: $225 to $350
- Replace throttle body: $350 to $600
- Repair vacuum leak: $125 to $975
- Replace intercooler boot: $250 to $450
- Repair engine wiring harness: $50 to $450
- Replace air cleaner element bracket: $75 to $250
A Mechanic’s Tips About The P1101 Code
When the P1101 trouble code shows up in the computer, you may also see a few others that are related. Here are a few common MAF codes that relate to this one.
- P0100: MAF Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
- P0102: MAF Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
- P0103: MAF Sensor Circuit High Voltage
Is code P1101 serious?
You should still be able to drive your vehicle with this code set, but the performance may be hindered. It’s best to have the problem fixed right away because allowing the engine to run not optimized can lead to permanent damage to the motor.
How do I fix error code P1101?
To fix any error code, you need to first figure out what’s causing it. A code scanner helps you determine what other codes may be set, letting you pinpoint the problem. Aside from that, you can use the service manual to run through some diagnostic checks and replace the part that has gone bad.
Is it better to clean or replace a mass air flow sensor?
If the mass air flow sensor is to blame, you may try cleaning it first. The sensor can become contaminated with dirt and debris. A bottle of cleaner only costs about $10, so it’s much less expensive than putting in a new sensor. If the cleaner doesn’t fix the problem, you can always replace the sensor.
What causes a mass air flow sensor failure?
The main reason for mass air flow sensor failure is contamination. Dirt and debris commonly build up on the sensor, causing an interruption in communication. Because it’s electronic, it’s possible that it also just fails because of old age and many miles of use. Most last at least ten years of use without a problem.
Your Chevy Cruze is a cute car that provides an economical drive when everything is working as it should. However, when the mass air flow sensor trouble code sets in the computer, you have to figure out what’s wrong before the problem gets worse. The most obvious solution is to clean or replace the mass air flow sensor, but it could be due to something else.
For this reason, we always recommend performing complete diagnostics before making a judgment. You want to walk through the same steps we do as professional mechanics. After you look at all of the possibilities, you’ll know what to fix and you won’t be wasting money on unnecessary parts.
Tags: Chevrolet
Categories: OBD Codes
