Service Engine Light

[MikeVit07]

Hey guys, i recently put in an AEM cold air intake and after finishing it my service engine light came on and i dont know why. Does anyone know why ? or how to reset it ?

[OCG35]

gotta read the code to know why the light is on (cold be unrelated)... if you know someone with Cipher you can read and clear the code - if you are in So Cal let me know, I'll help.

Otherwise, go to local auto part store (AutoZone, Per Boys, Kragen - or whatever they have in your area) - they have code readers

[MikeVit07]

whats cipher first of all ?? and can you just help mee if not ill go to stop at a place and see if they have the code readers

[trunks333]

Originally Posted by MikeVit07

whats cipher first of all ?? and can you just help mee if not ill go to stop at a place and see if they have the code readers

I had the same thing happen when i installed a fujita intake. Just take it to autozone and let them reset the code.

[MikeVit07]

ok thanks man.. Its nothing i have to wrory about thought rightt ?? and i dont have to do it right away rightt ??

[trunks333]

yeah don't worry. It went on because more oxygen is entering the engine. So the ECU has to re learn the proper oxygen ratios. Just reset it, it should not turn back on.

[TwilightBlue]

It's best to read the code as soon as possible to figure out what exactly tripped the light. Chances are it was the CAI, but could be something else. If my CEL came on I would be reading the code ASAP.

[EncoreCestMoi]

http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9125-.../dp/B0007LEG2K

Reads, erases, turns off ses and it's cheap. I keep one in my glove box

[OCG35]

Originally Posted by MikeVit07

ok thanks man.. Its nothing i have to wrory about thought rightt ?? and i dont have to do it right away rightt ??

it's impossible for anyone to know exactly why the light is on until you read the code... it could be from intake, or something entirely unrelated.

The biggest mistake people sometimes make is assuming a recent change is what caused a problem... it seems logical, but I have seen more than once problems being unrelated to recent changes.

get a code reader (like what was posted above) or find someone with Cipher http://www.uprev.com/products.php or take it to auto parts store and have them read and clear... I would do it as soon as practical. It might be nothing, but you want to know for sure.

If you go to auto parts store, they should have list of codes and they will let you know what it is... otherwise, there are lists all over the internet. Post the code here and one of us can look it up for you.

[pfarmer]

Originally Posted by OCG35

it's impossible for anyone to know exactly why the light is on until you read the code... it could be from intake, or something entirely unrelated.

The biggest mistake people sometimes make is assuming a recent change is what caused a problem... it seems logical, but I have seen more than once problems being unrelated to recent changes.

I would read the code and maybe clear it. I say maybe because if it is totally unrelated it may help to have it show up at least in history if need be.

What may seem totally unrelated actually is related to something like accidentily hitting a connector on another system while working on something else. I would definately read the code as soon as possible as you stated since you don't really know until you do so.

[atn_chargers]

You don't have to take it to a mechanic to get it reset. Just disconnect your battery for about 20 mins. Reconnect it and drive for a day or two. Your engine light should turn off.

[pfarmer]

Originally Posted by atn_chargers

You don't have to take it to a mechanic to get it reset. Just disconnect your battery for about 20 mins. Reconnect it and drive for a day or two. Your engine light should turn off.

You are correct, he doesn't need a mechanic to reset it. What he should do is borrow, buy, or simply take into one of many locations and read the code that generated the logic to light the light. By not doing so he may well have another issue that cropped up, maybe related, maybe not that he will possibly ignoring.

Also by disconnecting the battery you have other effects that may need to be dealt with. Probably why some experience certain benefits from certain mods while another group doesn't.

[OCG35]

Originally Posted by atn_chargers

You don't have to take it to a mechanic to get it reset. Just disconnect your battery for about 20 mins. Reconnect it and drive for a day or two. Your engine light should turn off.

I didn't see anyone suggest he take it to a mechanic.

Clearing the SES light doesn't accomplish everything - it's a good idea to know why the light was/is on. So the suggestions to read the code are beneficial.

I would never be comfortable not knowing what the code is that caused the SES light.

[King.Cory]

I just had my service engine light go on a couple days after my tune, im in socal anyone got a cipher that can read an clear the light???

[pfarmer]

Originally Posted by King.Cory

I just had my service engine light go on a couple days after my tune, im in socal anyone got a cipher that can read an clear the light???

You should be able to drop in at many places and have them read it for you, such as Autozone. You also purchase a cheap reader from someplace like Harbor Freight, or a more expensive one at Sears. With price the features increase but in some cases the features are useless. My reader is actually a gauge - ScanGauge. Basically it is simple reader that you can leave connected to operate as a backlit digital gauge (4 gauges at once). It is a trip meter, and also works as an OBD-II reader and will clear codes. Others attempt to tell you exactly what the code is but often times they don't know about brand specific codes anyway.

If you are doing any mods at all I highly suggest getting some sort of reader, possible a midrange one and I prefer something with a backlight so you can see it in dim conditions. You most likely at some point in time have the need for it.