So my CEL came on and I took it to the dealership, and they ran the computer diagnostic test and it said that the engine was running lean...and that this was caused by my Cold Air Intake. They said the only way to find out is to put the old one back on. I know about reseting the computer when you install the intake to prevent the CEL from coming on, but even when I and the dealership reset the computer the CEL still eventually comes on. It is really annoying because I am not sure when something actually is going wrong with my car because the CEL is on all the time. Anyone have any insight into this?

 

how cold is it up there? have you checked for leaks when installed?

 

Yes Your Could Air Is Throwing The Light Its Throwing Off The Maf Readings Looks Like Someone's In Need Of An Hptune

 

i suggest not doing anything. i ran a CAI on my Ion 2.2 and my 97 SC1 before that w/ no issues. If the light comes on again, GO TO AN AUTOZONE and get the code read for free. then post it here and we'll diagnose it. Otherwise the stealership could just be telling you it says that and blaming it on your CAI. my car's computer adjusted fine to a CAI, larger throttle body, and an exhaust. no CELs or anything.

 

My dealership told me that it would be fine but it was up to me if i wanted my CAI off so i took it off until my stage 2 is installed

 

I've got a CEL all the time from my CAI. Just get a $60.00 diagnostic tool and check the code every once and a while to make sure that your only code is the lean one. On the 2.2 being slightly lean isn't really going to hurt; you just want to make sure you catch any other codes that pop up.

 

do you have the aem dry flow intake or the old oiled one?

 

Hope I don't get a CEL when I put mine in tonight.

 

i had a lean code on my car with a k&n drop in. Autozone told me it was probably the injectors and just to run some injector cleaner through. after a half tank with the injector cleaner the code went away.

 

I've got the GMPP intake and it runs way lean, its the nature of the 2.2 factory tune.

Dynoed on BP 93 octane, thats all thats ever been in the car.

LEAN LEAN LEAN cross 3750 RPM's RICH RICH RICH

 

yeah but was that with the exhaust sniffer a/f meter that most all shops use? and why 93 in the 2.2? that wouldnt help anything, makes it a little worse.

 

I got the AEM cold air intake, and I will throw a CEL only when its cold, and it will go off on its own. If it doesnt, I'll clear it with my interceptor gauge

 

Yes it was the exhaust type A/F pick up.

Since you asked i'll explain my thoughts on 93 octane,
An economy car like the cobalt 2.2 on engineering averages lives at idle to 3500 rpms. Thats fine for 87 octane and to pass emissions laws.
Of course this can be debated, but I will continue to run 93, not because I believe it makes any more power, but that it is filtered more thourly and processed/produced to a higher standard, resulting less deposits in the motor.
Im just stating what I run and the results of my findings. But that said there some other 2.2s on here with dyno results that have showed the same lean condidtion at low rpms with diffrent mods and diffrent fuels.

 

I read that AEM intakes throw CELS all the time. Ive had an ingen CAI for a year now, sounds great and I have never had a problem yet.

 

my cel pops up every once and a while. i only have the airbox mod. its an aem dryflow filter. the cel comes on when its cold. then usually goes away on its own. ive only had the airbox mod for about a month and the cel comes on about once a week for max a day then turns off or i turn it off with the scan tool at work.

 

Back when I had just the AEM cai, my CEL would come on every now and then, but usually not for very long. It'd typically go off within a few hours, and not return for a looong time.

Now, b/c I have no cat (I have a CA/XTC de-cat downpipe) my CEL is on constantly. Dosen't really feel like it effects anything though. It'll be on until I install my SS/SC injectors and get it tuned via HP Tuners.