hello all, i recently installed a new K&N air filter in my '02 tundra and forgot to re-connect the air flow sensor clip , subsequently the check engine light came on after the first start and will not clear.

i've heard that it may take 40-50 ignition starts to clear this, or i can remove battery cables, wait 30sec, touch + to - for 30sec, reconnect battery terminals (i realize this will clear the computer 'soft' codes and the computer will have to re-learn certain performance traits), or i can take it to the dealer for the 'preferred' method of having them connect it to a computer that will read the code and reset it, whether it is a 'hard' or 'soft' code.

any help or suggestions would be appreciated, thanks in advance

gary

 

Go back to the dealer or a mechanic and have them pull the code, read it and reset your computer.

That should do the trick.

I have read many post concerning the check engine light lighting up after a K&N filter is installed -- maybe the stock air box/filter IS a better set up.

Hope this helps,

WM

 

Hey Gary,

Welcome to the forums. I think you could probably clear the light yourself by either disconnecting the battery or pulling the EFI fuse. Alot of us 4Runner owners that have done the airbox mod got a check engine light when we first fired it up, and pulling the fuse and waiting 30 minutes clears the code.

However, if you're concerned there is another error code in there, you may want to read it. Does your Tundra have OBD-II?

Check with the dealer, if its not covered under warranty and they want some outrageous amount to read the code (local dealers out here charge $100 for that) let me know, I may be able to help you out.

 

I put the fipk on my tundra last year. Just disconnect the battery for a few minutes. The computer will reset and won't store a code. Be very careful with the air sensor , it's very delicate.

 

Someone on this board also told me that Autozone pulls codes for ya. It might be worthwild to just take it there and have them make sure the code is for the air sensor and not something else (i.e., oxygen sensor which was a problem in a few of the years of the Tundra). Plus, I think the computer can clear the code too. It's a standard, same for all (obviously different program for each make)OBD-II computer for any vehicle I believe 1995 and up.

 

thanks for you replies people. F Y I, for those interested, i called the dealer to inquire about the check engine light. as you can imagine, they said it would be in my best interest to bring it in to have the code(s) cleared, which would cost me $30. on my way to the dealer, the check engine light went out and has stayed out. apparently the code cleared itself out, would still like to know what happened, not speculation.

it pisses me off (but not unexpected) that i could've spent $30 had i sent it earlier, not knowing it could've cleared itself. a lesson well learned.

later -
deezil

 

just take it to a gas station that has a shop and see if they will clear the code for you

 

With OBD-II at least, the check engine light isn't displayed until the computer has sensed an error on 3 consecutive "trips". I assume by trips, they mean start the engine/stop the engine.

If the computer then no longer receives an error code for 3 consecutive trips, the error is removed/light goes off, and that's why your light went out.

I'd bet you were getting a too lean/too rich code, and the computer finally learned to compensate for the increased air flow.

Man, $30 is a great price from your dealer. At my local dealer, they was $110 for the same thing. Unreal.

 

Sometimes "soft" meaning ones that don't have the check engine light on all the time, and come on periodically, can still be checked with an OBDII computer as a lot of computers do store "soft" codes in their memory. It comes up as "such and such" was triggered, but it doesn't tell you when it was. Like I said before, check it out just to make sure. You don't have to go to the dealer, try Autozone for free.