CAI's and CEL?

[BlackVGT]

Hey there guys, new to the forum, just bought a 2003 Vibe GT, and just have a few questions.1) What is CEL and what should it worry me if I install an INJEN CAI?2) How do I fix CEL without a Unichip? (Too expensive)3) I live in canada, and it snows and rains alot, should I stay away from a CAI? I don't want to install and uninstall the extension, ever.Thanks guys!

[Raven]

1. CEL Check Engine Light A warning light that comes on in the instrument panel. Check the owner's manual.2.It can be reset with an OBDII scanner or I think by disconnecting the battery.3.I live in the wilds of Quebec and snow and stuff is no problem.

[wicked1981]

Quote, originally posted by BlackVGT »Hey there guys, new to the forum, just bought a 2003 Vibe GT, and just have a few questions.1) What is CEL and what should it worry me if I install an INJEN CAI?2) How do I fix CEL without a Unichip? (Too expensive)3) I live in canada, and it snows and rains alot, should I stay away from a CAI? I don't want to install and uninstall the extension, ever.Thanks guys!I dont think we had anyone have problems with an Injen CAI so you should get no CEL. Welcome by the way.

[AKLGT]

welcome to genvibe! you should also check out the alberta forum. they are planning a meet next friday.in the case of an injen CAI, you should be fine. the only one i know of that is known to throw a CEL on a GT is the TRD intake. not really sure why, but it's a 50/50 chance. very very few people have had probs w/ the injens.

[Mavrik]

disconnecting the battery is old school for old vehicles, a scanner is required in most cases now. I know when I set the cell light on my Vibe, I had the battery removed shortly afterwards and the light still came on when it was all hooked up.Only concern when installing a CAI is no matter how eager you are to hear that difference when you hit the gas, don't for AT LEAST 10 minutes. Letting it idle for a good 10 mins helps your Mass Air Flow sensor (MAF) to learn the new air ratio.

[Keely]

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »in the case of an injen CAI, you should be fine. the only one i know of that is known to throw a CEL on a GT is the TRD intake. not really sure why, but it's a 50/50 chance. very very few people have had probs w/ the injens.Except me - I'm still with a CEL. Haven't gotten into the shop yet to get the code read, it was supposed to happen last week, but I was sidetracked. Hopefully this week.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by Keely »Except me - I'm still with a CEL. Haven't gotten into the shop yet to get the code read, it was supposed to happen last week, but I was sidetracked. Hopefully this week.Thought you said like a month ago "Its going in next week" You probably gunned your engine as soon as it was installed, not allowing the MAF to learn. The Trix guys in my area with Injen CAI on their XRS models have been fine when they let the system learn.

[goodvibe]

You CAN clear a CEL by disconecting the battery or even easier, just pull the EFI fuses. If it comes back, it's because the problem that lit the CEL still exists. Keely, clean your MAF and follow Mavriks restart routine after pulling the fuses for a few minutes. If it's installed correctly, your code will probably be a lean condition because the MAF hasn't normallized or is dirty and not reading enough air and therefore not supplying enough fuel. It's common for oiled filters to dirty up the MAFs with oil when first installed. They come from the factery with lots of oil on them that can settle or concentrate to one portion. It's good to check new filters and let them sit out for a while before installation.

[Keely]

Quote, originally posted by goodvibe »You CAN clear a CEL by disconecting the battery or even easier, just pull the EFI fuses. If it comes back, it's because the problem that lit the CEL still exists. Keely, clean your MAF and follow Mavriks restart routine after pulling the fuses for a few minutes. If it's installed correctly, your code will probably be a lean condition because the MAF hasn't normallized or is dirty and not reading enough air and therefore not supplying enough fuel. It's common for oiled filters to dirty up the MAFs with oil when first installed. They come from the factery with lots of oil on them that can settle or concentrate to one portion. It's good to check new filters and let them sit out for a while before installation.goodvibe, thanks for the detailed advice. I have cleared the CEL a couple of times by disconnecting the battery, and the CEL comes back on the third drive cycle like clockwork. I've also used an aircan to blow off the MAF, which did not help.So, if I disconnect the battery and start the car the way Mavrik suggests, will that reset the MAF?In the alternative, is my MAF is dirty in such a way that an aircan doesn't alleviate the problem, what other methods can I use to clean it?Thanks for the new tips, everyone.

[Keely]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Thought you said like a month ago "Its going in next week" You probably gunned your engine as soon as it was installed, not allowing the MAF to learn. The Trix guys in my area with Injen CAI on their XRS models have been fine when they let the system learn.Easy fella, I've been a little busy.Although I wasn't doing the install myself, from my recollection, we did idle the car for 10-15 minutes before taking it out for a test drive. If the MAF did get set improperly regardless, I'm wondering if a battery disconnect and proper start-up routine will reset it?

[Mavrik]

well if there was a problem with the MAF like I had with mine after the first install your Vibe would not be able to rev over 2800rpms. Disconnecting the battery might help but if its in the system it might actually need a scanner clearing because it can go right to the source pretty much. And that may be all it needs, the prob could be fixed but the system has not been properly cleared so the light will always come back.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by Keely »Except me - I'm still with a CEL. Haven't gotten into the shop yet to get the code read, it was supposed to happen last week, but I was sidetracked. Hopefully this week.i know, but i didn't want to say anything since i hadn't talked to you in awhile. so i'm guessing you haven't taken it in to see what the codes are?

[Keely]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »well if there was a problem with the MAF like I had with mine after the first install your Vibe would not be able to rev over 2800rpms. Disconnecting the battery might help but if its in the system it might actually need a scanner clearing because it can go right to the source pretty much. And that may be all it needs, the prob could be fixed but the system has not been properly cleared so the light will always come back.Well, I haven't any problems with revving over 2800 rpms, that's for sure! If I had, it would have been in the shop right away. So is a scanner clearing something that the shop has to do with the code scanner? Does this reset the MAF or does it just clear the error message (but not the error)?

[AKLGT]

if you can still rev over 2800 rpm then it may not be the MAF. whenever i had the CEL on my intakes, i always got "engine too lean"

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by Keely »Well, I haven't any problems with revving over 2800 rpms, that's for sure! If I had, it would have been in the shop right away. So is a scanner clearing something that the shop has to do with the code scanner? Does this reset the MAF or does it just clear the error message (but not the error)?the scanner will bring up the code and information regarding it to tell you if its a current code or history code, when the last fail was, the km on the last fail, even how long the vehicle was running for, the speed you were going at the time, even if you like your eggs sunny side up It can then clear all that information and they might be able to reprogram/reset the system... not sure your KM but maybe they will warranty a repair for you.

[Keely]

Thanks Mavrik, that information is really helpful - now I know what I can expect when I take the car in. (After all, I'm not all that experienced with engine modifications and their impact on warranties, dealer servicing and such!) I may not be able to get it in before I go overseas, but I'll try.... Thanks again.

[goodvibe]

To clean oil off the MAF, you need to use some spray carb cleaner or electical contact cleaner. I've cleared a CELs that never came back by pulling the fuse. If it didn't clear it wouldn't take 3 starts to bring it back. They stick until they're cleared.

[AKLGT]

really? whenever i've tried to clear any CEL's it does the same thing. after about the 3rd drive cycle, it comes on. usually not right away

[Mavrik]

Well hope everything works out for you, let me know how it goes and if I can help with anything.

[Keely]

Quote, originally posted by goodvibe »To clean oil off the MAF, you need to use some spray carb cleaner or electical contact cleaner. I've cleared a CELs that never came back by pulling the fuse. If it didn't clear it wouldn't take 3 starts to bring it back. They stick until they're cleared.I'll certainly give the car/electrical contact cleaner a try. I'm just trying to get a handle on the last two sentences - are you saying that because it took 3 drive cycles for my CEL to return after clearing it by disconnecting the battery, that it wasn't actually cleared at all and it's an "old message" in effect popping up? Sorry to pester you, I just want to make sure I'm understanding this properly.