Possible Secondary air valve failure
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NashvilleGXP243
- SE Member

- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2015 11:45 pm
- Year and Trim: 2005 Bonneville GXP
Possible Secondary air valve failure
I was driving into work yesterday, my GXP was running fine. It has thrown a secondary air valve trouble code a few times, setting off my SES light on the dash. Then the light would go out after a day or 2. Got to the Shell station to get my morning coffee, and it starts missing. The more gas I gave it, the louder it got. It's coming from the back of the engine. I'm thinking the Secondary air valve finally crapped out. The back 4 ignition coils were replaced last spring, as was all 8 spark plugs. The front 4 ignition coils are stock. No problems out of them yet.
- CMNTMXR57
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5841
- Joined: Wed May 13, 2009 10:45 pm
- Year and Trim: 2006 STS-V, 2004 GTO, 2009 G8 GT
- Location: CHICAGO
Re: Possible Secondary air valve failure
Unless you're getting P0410, P0412 or P0418, I doubt it.
Secondary A.I.R. is only impacting engine operation upon initial startup (ECT has to be in the range of 41* - 176* and IAT >41*) and will shut off once closed loop operation is achieved. So once you're in closed loop, it isn't even part of the equation... It's basically extra weight the car is carrying around at that point.
Sounds like something else is the issue.
Secondary A.I.R. is only impacting engine operation upon initial startup (ECT has to be in the range of 41* - 176* and IAT >41*) and will shut off once closed loop operation is achieved. So once you're in closed loop, it isn't even part of the equation... It's basically extra weight the car is carrying around at that point.
Sounds like something else is the issue.

Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*
Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
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NashvilleGXP243
- SE Member

- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2015 11:45 pm
- Year and Trim: 2005 Bonneville GXP
Re: Possible Secondary air valve failure
It was DEFINITELY something else!!! The #1 spark plug somehow backed out, and my coil was fried!!! Just put 4 new rear coils, and 8 new Autolite spark plugs in, at this time last year. I'll keep an eye on the spark and make sure it's still tight periodically.

