CEL After K&N Install...

[Sp00ner]

I was looking through some past threads, and saw that a few people had the Check Engine Light go on after the K&N install. Who all had this happen, mine is on right now. I think this same thing happened after I changed the air filter, and it went off the next morning. I did unhook the battery while putting it in, and I noticed one other person stated he did as well, also getting the CEL. Same with the filter, I unhooked the battery and it came on when I started it back up. I'm hoping it will go back off in the morning like last time... if you did get the light, did you also unhook the battery?

[LittleMT]

does this car have a mass air flow sensor near the intake?
I ask because in the VW world (1.8 turbo) if one installed a K&N and didnt let the oil that one must put on the filter dry properly or if they simply used excess oil, the mass air sensor would get dirty and the cars would throw codes...

[Sp00ner]

It's in the intake... you actually remove it from the old intake tube and install it into the K&N... I put some WD40 on my finger and used to to lube the seal a little, since it wouldn't fit into place right, but it was hardly enough to see on my finger, and it's almost 2" from where I used it to the sensor itself...

Edited: My bad, I see what you're saying, no it's right near the supercharger intake all the way at the end of the intake...

[LittleMT]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

It's in the intake... you actually remove it from the old intake tube and install it into the K&N... I put some WD40 on my finger and used to to lube the seal a little, since it wouldn't fit into place right, but it was hardly enough to see on my finger, and it's almost 2" from where I used it to the sensor itself...

Edited: My bad, I see what you're saying, no it's right near the supercharger intake all the way at the end of the intake...

it very well could be that this sensor is getting wet...
I recommend letting the new K&N dry for a day or so prior to install...

[ACasper85]

GM has TSBs out for K&n (oil bath air filters) contaminating the mass air flow sensor and then making the sensor reading incorrect. and then voiding your warranty. but this only happens when the filters are excessivly oiled. i personally would check to make sure the readings are correct.

[max_boost]

When I installed mine I unhooked the battery and the CEL came on after about 1 hour of driving. When I got home I unhooked the battery for about 45 mins, hooked it back up and haven't had a problem since then and its been about a month since I installed it.

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by ACasper85

GM has TSBs out for K&n (oil bath air filters) contaminating the mass air flow sensor and then making the sensor reading incorrect. and then voiding your warranty. but this only happens when the filters are excessivly oiled. i personally would check to make sure the readings are correct.

It didn't seem excessivley oiled, it just barely felt like there was any. What do you mean by check that the readings are correct? Check the codes that are set or what?

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by jmonte345

When I installed mine I unhooked the battery and the CEL came on after about 1 hour of driving. When I got home I unhooked the battery for about 45 mins, hooked it back up and haven't had a problem since then and its been about a month since I installed it.

I'm gonna go unhook the battery now, and let it sit till morning if I'm too lazy to go out there before that, or if I fall asleep...

[Sp00ner]

I should also point out that I've driven the car and there is no lack of power or anything strange about the performance. Not that I can hear anything over the whine now, it's great... If the light stays off...

[jeepin79]

My K&N CAI has been on for about a month and I have had the CEL 2-3 times in the begining. I just unhooked the battery and it has been ok for the past couple weeks.