Check Engine Light-Please Help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

FresnoStateDogs · 03-22-2012, 11:16 AM

I've put ~8K miles on my Camaro when my check engine line came on yesterday. After reading some threads in this forum I feel there are two possible sources as to why this happened. I called OnStar and they said something about my emissions not being normal.

#1 I have not been using TopTier gas. I've used 87 Arco gas. When I read the owners manual it said it was OK to use 87 but performance would be limited. (I drive nearly 100miles a day) After seeing the Image below I thought to myself, "Oh, S***! Could this be the reason why I have Higher emissions?" California is very strict.

#2 I installed a K&N Tornado CAI about a 1,000 miles ago. The box came with a a slip that said legal in every state EXCEPT by the CA Emissions control. Is the CAI adding enough emissions for the Camaro's computer system to notice? From everything I had read any K&N filter passes smog no matter what. That K&N simply didn't want to pay the fees to CA. Was I misinformed?

I'd appreciate any educated opinions as to why my emissions are causing my check engine light to come on. I'm afraid of taking it to the dealer because if it is the CAI they may void my warranty. That light is quite annoying. Thanks.

BowlingSS · 03-22-2012, 11:23 AM

What was the code?

Bill

Elykson · 03-22-2012, 11:25 AM

Take the cai off, put your stock intake back on. If the cel goes off, you know it's the cai. If not, then take it to the dealer.

SS King · 03-22-2012, 11:27 AM

check your gas cap did you tighten it all the way the last time you filled up. That will make your light pop on

FresnoStateDogs · 03-22-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowlingSS

What was the code?

Bill

I don't believe it came with one considering it's not CA legal. What I believe is the part # is 69-4519tp

FresnoStateDogs · 03-22-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS King

check your gas cap did you tighten it all the way the last time you filled up. That will make your light pop on

Just checked it, it's tight. Good to know for the future though.

ZuluKilla8 · 03-22-2012, 11:32 AM

He ment what check engine code are you popping...call onstar ask for the code or go to a pep boys or somthing they check for free...post the code here or do a search for the code here.

Sent from my iPhizzzone using Tapatalk

FresnoStateDogs · 03-22-2012, 11:36 AM

I reset my battery so the light is currently off. I'm afraid it will come back on as soon as I drive. If it does I will ask for the code.

FresnoStateDogs · 03-22-2012, 11:45 AM

Newb question, but how do I add a signature?

buzzy56 · 03-22-2012, 11:52 AM

Go to home page .select " user " CP. Look under " settings & options " .select
"edit signature " from there follow instructions.

Russell James · 03-22-2012, 11:56 AM

The CAI probably has nothing to do with it.

The only reason CAI's are not emissions legal is they have no carbon absorber pad, and they are not sealed off like the factory airbox.

If you look inside your stock airbox, you'll see an absorbent pad stuck to the side. That is a carbon absorber. Cleans carbon out of the air. Has nothing to do with what comes out the tail pipe, just cleaning the air by removing carbon.

As previously mentioned you'll need to know the codes to figure it out any further.

I would retighten the gas cap and switch to a top tier premium gas. It makes no sense to add a little hp with a CAI and then kill tons of hp with 87 octane.

After it has run through a tank of premium see if the light and code keep coming back. If it does, put the stock intake back on and take it to a dealership.

=Stephens= · 03-22-2012, 12:01 PM

I know what your problem is, it is the K & N. Because the filter comes pre-oiled, some of the residue from the oil gets on your MAF and this causes the CEL. Go get some MAF cleaner, pull out the MAF and spray it. This will clean the MAF and the problem is resolved. I have the same issue and have to clean mine about every 8,000 miles also. Get a OBD reader and clear off the CEL.

FresnoStateDogs · 03-22-2012, 12:10 PM

I'll try the premium gas first then the cleaning the MAF. Thanks guys.

=Stephens= · 03-22-2012, 12:15 PM

It's not the gas, it's the K & N. If you don't clean it, the problem with not be fixed. The cleaner is like 6 bucks and takes like 1o minutes to pull, spray and replace.

03-22-2012, 11:25 AM	#3
Elykson Custom One Off Drives: 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Edition #1 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Madhouse on Madison Posts: 1,190	Take the cai off, put your stock intake back on. If the cel goes off, you know it's the cai. If not, then take it to the dealer. __________________ Vararam Intake/SLP Loud Mouth II/BBK LT HFC/Magnaflow x-pipe/Pfadt Springs/Black Ice-olator/FE3 suspension/VMAX TB/RX catch can/Trifecta Tune http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129416

03-22-2012, 11:32 AM	#7
ZuluKilla8 Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS RJT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 831	He ment what check engine code are you popping...call onstar ask for the code or go to a pep boys or somthing they check for free...post the code here or do a search for the code here. Sent from my iPhizzzone using Tapatalk __________________ 2010 Camaro SS LS3 Holley Hi-Ram Manifold,Custom grind boost cam,Vortech V-3,10Rib 3.47 Pully Airfilter Pipe Delete, 10 PSI, TSP LT Headers, Flowmaster Outlaws, Alky Control Meth Kit, PFADT 1.25, ZL1 Fuel Pump, DSS 1000HP axles, Mantic ER2 Clutch, Full BMR rear suspension drag pack upgrade. C6 Vette 18 rims with M/T 305 out back. COPO Hood Race Proven Motorsports tuned

03-22-2012, 11:52 AM	#10
buzzy56 buzzy56 Drives: 2ss summit white L99 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: paradise Posts: 1,115 View My Garage	This Go to home page .select " user " CP. Look under " settings & options " .select "edit signature " from there follow instructions. __________________ OLD SCHOOL / NEW SCHOOL COOL

03-22-2012, 12:10 PM	#13
FresnoStateDogs Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 272	I'll try the premium gas first then the cleaning the MAF. Thanks guys. __________________ Spiral Ported TB, K&N Typhoon, JBA Performance Cat-back, RX catch can and Oil Breather.

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03-22-2012, 11:16 AM	#1
FresnoStateDogs Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 272	Check Engine Light-Please Help I've put ~8K miles on my Camaro when my check engine line came on yesterday. After reading some threads in this forum I feel there are two possible sources as to why this happened. I called OnStar and they said something about my emissions not being normal. #1 I have not been using TopTier gas. I've used 87 Arco gas. When I read the owners manual it said it was OK to use 87 but performance would be limited. (I drive nearly 100miles a day) After seeing the Image below I thought to myself, "Oh, S***! Could this be the reason why I have Higher emissions?" California is very strict. #2 I installed a K&N Tornado CAI about a 1,000 miles ago. The box came with a a slip that said legal in every state EXCEPT by the CA Emissions control. Is the CAI adding enough emissions for the Camaro's computer system to notice? From everything I had read any K&N filter passes smog no matter what. That K&N simply didn't want to pay the fees to CA. Was I misinformed? I'd appreciate any educated opinions as to why my emissions are causing my check engine light to come on. I'm afraid of taking it to the dealer because if it is the CAI they may void my warranty. That light is quite annoying. Thanks.

03-22-2012, 11:23 AM	#2
BowlingSS Camaro Owner Since 1987 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS L99 RJT Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 2,185	What was the code? Bill __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 RJT CAI, Inc. Cold Air Induction;ADM Scoop Rx Catch Can;Rx Breather;Roto-Fab Washer Container VMax Ported RJT Throttle Body XSPower Headers and XSPower 3" Exhaust System Elite Engineering Tunnel Brace, Gorilla Wheel Lock System; Bear Rotors, Hawk HPS Tinted Windows 35%;EFILive Tune

03-22-2012, 11:27 AM	#4
SS King Drives: a Panty Dropper Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dehi Posts: 478	check your gas cap did you tighten it all the way the last time you filled up. That will make your light pop on

03-22-2012, 11:36 AM	#8
FresnoStateDogs Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 272	I reset my battery so the light is currently off. I'm afraid it will come back on as soon as I drive. If it does I will ask for the code.

03-22-2012, 11:45 AM	#9
FresnoStateDogs Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 272	Newb question, but how do I add a signature?

03-22-2012, 11:56 AM	#11
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	The CAI probably has nothing to do with it. The only reason CAI's are not emissions legal is they have no carbon absorber pad, and they are not sealed off like the factory airbox. If you look inside your stock airbox, you'll see an absorbent pad stuck to the side. That is a carbon absorber. Cleans carbon out of the air. Has nothing to do with what comes out the tail pipe, just cleaning the air by removing carbon. As previously mentioned you'll need to know the codes to figure it out any further. I would retighten the gas cap and switch to a top tier premium gas. It makes no sense to add a little hp with a CAI and then kill tons of hp with 87 octane. After it has run through a tank of premium see if the light and code keep coming back. If it does, put the stock intake back on and take it to a dealership.

03-22-2012, 12:01 PM	#12
=Stephens= Drives: 2011 LS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kearney, Nebraska Posts: 3,541 View My Garage	I know what your problem is, it is the K & N. Because the filter comes pre-oiled, some of the residue from the oil gets on your MAF and this causes the CEL. Go get some MAF cleaner, pull out the MAF and spray it. This will clean the MAF and the problem is resolved. I have the same issue and have to clean mine about every 8,000 miles also. Get a OBD reader and clear off the CEL.

03-22-2012, 12:15 PM	#14
=Stephens= Drives: 2011 LS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kearney, Nebraska Posts: 3,541 View My Garage	It's not the gas, it's the K & N. If you don't clean it, the problem with not be fixed. The cleaner is like 6 bucks and takes like 1o minutes to pull, spray and replace.