07 HHR with 2.4 swap questions
03-18-2018 | 01:46 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: 03-18-2018
Posts: 6
From: Iowa
07 HHR with 2.4 swap questions
I bought this car with the swap already done. It runs great. It has a check engine light and doesn’t always start the first time so I ran the codes and it says the cam and crank sensors aren’t in sync but I don’t understand why it only does this part of the time.i pulled the air box to find that I believe the cam sensors aren’t even hooked up the harness has been cut where the 2 plugs go in the top of the valve cover for intake and exhaust.im confused how it runs so well like this and still gets great gas mileage but regardless I want to get it done right and I have no way to get in contact with whoever did the swap so not sure where to even start here.it had the 2.2 from factory.im a mechanic myself but need some advice on what to do here.i was going to just sell it but since it takes a few tries to get it to start sometimes I wouldn’t get what it’s worth I just want to fix it. I know others have done this but searching the threads I didn’t find much useful info. Thanks in advance! James
03-18-2018 | 02:03 AM
#2
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,039
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Pictures of what you are talking about would really help (harness etc.), along with the CODES you are getting.
You say it runs great, then you say it takes a few tries to get it to start - that doesn't really jive.
Being it was originally a 2.2L engine with a 2.4L engine dropped into it, by a previous owner - I don't think this is going to end well. Was the original 2.2 a VVT engine?
You say it runs great, then you say it takes a few tries to get it to start - that doesn't really jive.
Being it was originally a 2.2L engine with a 2.4L engine dropped into it, by a previous owner - I don't think this is going to end well. Was the original 2.2 a VVT engine?
03-18-2018 | 02:13 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Joined: 03-18-2018
Posts: 6
From: Iowa
It does run great. Just doesn’t alway start right up. Sometimes it just cranks then u let it sit a second and it will start other times it starts right up no problem. The 2 plugs on the top of the valve cover passenger side aren’t hooked to anything the wires are cut.
03-18-2018 | 02:19 AM
#4
Thread Starter
Joined: 03-18-2018
Posts: 6
From: Iowa
I don’t have the scanner where I am currently. But the codes were for cam sensor correlation. I assume it’s because no cam sensor is hooked up? Explains the start issue just don’t understand why it runs flawlessly once it starts. And it starts up every time just sometimes you gotta crank it a couple times. Once running there are no issues whatsoever. I wish I had more info from who did the swap but I don’t it was done by somebody before I got the car. I do know it had a 2.2 because the sticker under the hood says 2.2 is there a way to know if it was a vvt? By the vin or something?
03-18-2018 | 02:25 AM
#5
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,039
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
I'm guessing you are referring to the Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid Valves????? https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...13-14-a-28779/
If so - you got a real problem - those solenoids adjust the valve timing - it sounds like the 2.2 motor didn't have them as the 2.2 didn't get converted to VVT technology till part way thru the year, and there are no connections for them in the current harness.
The 2.2 also would have had a different ECM (engine control module) - so who knows what you have installed for an ECM at this point.
You didn't mention what the code was - as a mechanic you must know how important the code is to help do any further diagnostics.
Really I think you have a total money pit there - you can throw lots of $'s in it and never get it right. All because the wrong engine was installed as a replacement.
If so - you got a real problem - those solenoids adjust the valve timing - it sounds like the 2.2 motor didn't have them as the 2.2 didn't get converted to VVT technology till part way thru the year, and there are no connections for them in the current harness.
The 2.2 also would have had a different ECM (engine control module) - so who knows what you have installed for an ECM at this point.
You didn't mention what the code was - as a mechanic you must know how important the code is to help do any further diagnostics.
Really I think you have a total money pit there - you can throw lots of $'s in it and never get it right. All because the wrong engine was installed as a replacement.
03-18-2018 | 02:27 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Joined: 03-18-2018
Posts: 6
From: Iowa
The VVTs are not hooked up on the 2.4 I’m positive that is my issue but how does it still run so good once it’s started? Plenty of power no lagging no bad gas mileage.. I understand the mess I could have here but I also know there is a way to solve it. I’m unsure if the computer was changed/flashed I would assume it had to be flashed somebody just got lazy and cut corners it appears
03-18-2018 | 02:28 AM
#7
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,039
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
"codes were for cam sensor correlation." - means nothing, as it could mean anything. Sorry, but it just doesn't help, and I am not about to go scanning thru a list of the hundreds of codes looking for something that might be close to that description.