[Reset]

Okay so to try and make a long story short:

I had to remove my aftermarket CAI and purchase a stock intake, because my car was not able to even be tested for smog with the CAI.

So I purchased a stock intake and accidentally bought a wrong sized air filter. I installed this and my car was idling weird (it would bounce between 800RPMs and like 1300) , but I attempted to get it smogged anyway (smog place is about 8 miles away). The Check Engine Light was not on the entire drive over there, but after I left it with them and they started it, the light came on. They said that this was an auto-fail and they could not smog it. They also couldn't stabilize the idle long enough to test it anyway.

I figured it was because the filter was not the right size and so I took the car home and bought one that was the right size. Finally I got the right filter in the car and it seems to be idling similar to normal (generally sitting at around 850RPMs).

The problem is, however, that the CEL is still on. Will it go away on its own once I drive the car for a little while or do I need to do something to make it go away?

[Cabikejumper]

Go to autozone and if you cool with the guys they'll clear the code for you. But it's illegal and seeing how your in ca I doubt they will.

Unplug your neg cable and press the brakes for a little while. Should clear the cel.

[Cricket]

It's not illegal to clear a code. I have yet to see a single legislation saying that is illegal. That is one of the ways to test a car is to clear the code, and see if it comes back.

You can either have it cleared, reset your ECU taking the leads to your battery off of the terminal posts, or you could let it cycle and then when your ecu starts to read everything normal again usually after 20 cycle runs or so it will go away.

[Cabikejumper]

Autozone isn't suppose to clear DTC's while doing a scan. Because a lot of people would go there clear a code and drive and get an inspection.

Maybe I misused the work illegal. Sorry for confusing.

[Cricket]

Doesn't mean it's illegal. Just means it's probably against policy.


Also a scanner is like $60 and then you can clear the code. Or go ahead and spend the couple $100 on a hand held programmer. they act as code scanners as well and you can clear DTC's that way.


You may need to clean your MAF if the filter you bought wasn't the right size. Some debris may have gotten on it which could cause a CEL seeing as it couldn't meter the air properly or it may be something like a lean code. Really just need to get the code read, and cleared.

[stal94gt]

you can clear codes by unpluging the battery for 10-20 min but you will get a p1000 code (no check engine) for readyness check, which most places will make you wait till it clears to pass. also

[Reset]

Okay so from what I am hearing I should be able to clear the codes by unplugging the battery and pressing the brakes a little while (to remove any charge left, I assume). Then I will clean the MAF.. I have seen a few guides online - this should also fix any idling problems. Then I reconnect the battery and the CEL should be gone?

What is the P1000 code you are talking about? If I drive around a little after I do the aforementioned process, should it be fine?

Thanks for all the quick replies!

[stal94gt]

p1000 is a readyness code, it means the computer has not finished doing all its checks, kind of like the boot up on a computer

[DickH]

no need to hit your brakes, just disconnect the battery and clean your maf. Take it for a drive, p1000 will go away after a while.

[bulloch27]

I'd damn sure start with cleaning the MAF as most others have suggested. The surging idles is most likely due to a unmetered air leak upstream of the MAF. Check all joints upstream of the MAF all the way to the throttle body because it sounds as if this is the problem.