CAI makes my engine run in safe mode, need a chip?

[CHollman82]

My CAI makes my check engine light light up so I took it to autozone and they said it is running in safe mode so I am burning a lot of gas. The guy said I should by a chip to fix this problem, anyone know where to get this?

[2K SE]

make sure ALL sensor connections are hooked up and clean. I have never heard anyone say that their CAI caused the PCM to throw a code. but what do I know, I still have the stock box on mine.

[bobgagt]

"safe mode?" WTF is that?

Just as 2K said check all your connections... if everything is there and hooked up then there should be no code... also ask the guy at autozone what code was actually being thrown so you can pinpoint what sensor is having issues.

[Oldcat]

That sounds like "limp home mode" which is how those Ebay IAT fooler chips screw up your engine. Something is not right with your IAT sensor. Just fix that and you won't need any chip.

[RocketFast321]

Yep something is up with the IAT. That's is the senor on the intake

[Old Guy]

Originally posted by CHollman82
........... and they said it is running in safe mode so I am burning a lot of gas.

Format your HD and re-install Windows. Could also possibly be a virus or sp........


Oh wait!!! This is your car you're taking about!!! Safe Mode??? :wtf:

Do what Oldcat said to do. It's the IAT.

[DoubleOZeroGAse]

Did you buy one of those stupid resistor chips off of ebay? If you did rip it off and throw it away!! I know a few people who bought them and it seriously screwed with their cars.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Originally posted by Old Guy
Some village in Texas is missing their idiot.


I have that T-Shirt! Actually, mine says "A Village in Texas has lost their Idiot."

Anyway, yea.... what everyone else said. I still want to know what the hell "safe mode" is.

[bobgagt]

Next time you start the car hit the F8 key so you can select "normal mode"

[CHollman82]

LOL, thats what the guy said, the pcm reverts to default settings and doesn't take into account the air temp or try to tune the ignition timings or anything so you get horrible gas mileage. My IAT is just hanging inside the intake pipe stuck in between a joint where two pipes connect, where else should it be?

[DoubleOZeroGAse]

Wow, you made a really half-assed intake pipe didn't you? If there arent holes for your IAT, then you need to 1. Seal up any gaps and 2. drill a whole so your IAT sits in there like it did on the stock box.

[Old Guy]

Originally posted by CHollman82
LOL, thats what the guy said, the pcm reverts to default settings and doesn't take into account the air temp or try to tune the ignition timings or anything so you get horrible gas mileage. My IAT is just hanging inside the intake pipe stuck in between a joint where two pipes connect, where else should it be?

I'm just wondering, did you pull the IAT completely out of the old intake or just the plug? The sensor iself is in the intake, the part with the wires attached is just the lead to the PCM.

[GaSC/Tnfs]

"Safe mode" or "limp mode" is when your car throws a major engine code and the processor is ordered to ignore all the major sensors so you can make it home before your car dies... it happens if something major happens like you lose a gear or two in your tranny or even if you blow a head gasket.

it's kind of like open loop processing (when you start your car in the morning the processer ignores the Self Empowered Sensors.)

[voyager]

your iat sensor needs to be plugged in and located in the intake. get a grommet and drill a hole if you have to; it needs to be there.

do an idle relearn after that and you should be ok..

[CHollman82]

It is in the intake and no the pipe is not half assed. It is air tight there are no gaps and the IAT is in there and plugged in. How do you do an idle relearn, I could try that

[urweak]

so your IAT is in the intake pipe just like it was in the stock pipe (Bottom part in, part with wires sticking out and its placed in a hole) if thats right, buy a new IAT sensor, they are like 10 bucks and made of brass not cheap plastic, i damaged mine when i put my intake on, you may have done that. also can you take any pictures of your intake to help us better understand.

[DoubleOZeroGAse]

Sorry if I sounded like a jerk, I didn't mean too, but originally you did make it sound like a half-a$$ job.

[voyager]

in my beretta, you do an idle relearn by disconnecting the battery for 10-15 minutes, reconnecting it, starting the car and letting it idle until the fan has cycled twice ( i.e. the fan automatically kicks on and turns itself off twice when the engine temp has reached whatever level - 3/4 mark i think ). turn the car off and restart; the idle should be reset.

not sure the procedure is the same for GA's.

idle relearn is free, and i would try that before i went out and got any new sensors. you do have an SES light so it's likely you have damaged the sensor - just touching it with greasy fingers can do the trick - but i'd try the free stuff first.