Check engine light due to CAI or HID?

[mtbennett24]

Installed my HID and Volant CAI last weekend. All was fine and dandy for a couple days. Today the CEL came on. Will have the error codes read tomorrow at the auto part store. Buf offhand, anyone have any idea why this might be? CAI was a pretty straight forward install. HID was installed with a relay harness grounded at the battery. Error codes to follow. Thanks.

09 Z71, 3500 miles

 

[Modded]

I can bet the error code is related the MAF sensor (part of the CAI), or the engie gettting too much air, try oullin your battery wires for around 20 minutes, replu, then see if it goes away.

 

[mtbennett24]

I was thinking the same thing. But I had the battery unplugged for a while while I did the install. Does unplugging the battery clear the codes?

 

[Modded]

No, but it resets the trucks computers so things like the new CAI do not cause temporary codes because the car is under the impression there is an issue, when really its just a better flowing CAI.

 

[David4Jesus]

This may sound crazy but after I did my hid. It. Turned off my traction control and I couldn't get it back on until I disconnected the battery again.

 

[m332is]

I have never seen a CAI throw a CE light. Yes you will be getting more air, but it isn't THAT much more air. Did you unplug any wires or hoses when you removed the old airbox and MAF?

Check to make sure the hose is completely on the backside of the MAF. You could be sucking air from there.

But you are on the right track to get the code read.

Vince

 

[mtbennett24]

Onstar says it is an emissions error though theywouldn't give me the code. Something with the "engine fuel control system". I read that auto parts shops wont clear codes. So do i have to go to the dealer? Headed to the auto parts store toget tbecode read.

 

[Modded]

Maybe your having sometype of air/fuel mixture issue, if so its is the CAI causing it. WOuld think the battery idea would reset it and get rid of your issue. Also make sure that little tube that plugs into the CAI tube leading to the engine is plugged in.

 

[m332is]

CAI is not going to throw a CAI... there is not enough extra airflow to make a difference so the battery trick is a waste of time. check to see you have the hose on the all the way.

Vince

 

[mtbennett24]

Hose is plugged in. Disconnected the battery for an hour. Reconnected and now no CEL. Used a code reader to see if there were any pending codes that might not effect the CEL. No error codes. No pending codes. no CEL. There were a few monitor icons flashing. But i think this is due to those systems that haven't completed their operations yet. When they do the CEL could come back if i understand this thing correct. I did check the gas cap to make sure it was closed properly.

 

[Modded]

Well your problem may be solved now.

 

[mtbennett24]

Hopefully. Though when i was diving and checking the inst economy mpg readout it seemed low. Like 9 mpg around town. I read another thread about "limp mode" that can cause the motor to run inefficiently. I will keep an eye on fuel efficiency for now. Thanks for all your input.

 

[Zed 71]

Do you have the flex fuel 5.3L? The CAI causes the engine to adjust for the extra air, and for some reason the engine thinks it running on 20% ethanol then increases the amount of fuel injected.

Now you need a tune. Justin at Black Bear has addressed this specific issue.

 

[mtbennett24]

Yes. 5.3L. Tune is next up. I am holding out on the BB tune until the Autocal device is available. The 6spd transmission has the TCM buried in it. The only way to tune it is live tune or via the FlashScanV2 which is a bit steep for me. The Autocal device is suppose to be less expensive and allow for remote tuning of both the ECM and TCM in the 6spd.

---------- Post added at 10:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 AM ----------

How can you tell if your motor is running rich? Are there performance indicators that would point this out?

 

[Zed 71]

Nothing really definite to tell if the air/fuel mixture is off spec by a little bit without running diagnotics. But you are getting really low mileage so that to me is an indicator.

Have someone drive your truck with you following behind to see if you can smell the exhaust (stronger fuel smell). Try to change the intake back to stock to see if fuel consumption decreases. If so, I would leave it stock until you can get a tune.

 

[mtbennett24]

No noticeable fuel smell. No black exhaust either. Will try going back to stock intake to see if fuel consumption changes. Thanks!