Engine 03 Corolla S intake issue

03 Corolla S intake issue

Hey everyone. I have an 03 Corolla S with an AEM CAI. My check engine light is on and i have put this off too long and i want to correct it. I have unattached my battery and it helps for like a couple of days and then the check engine light comes back on. I have a couple of friends with corollas and celicas with intakes and they said the check engine light came on when they first installed it and now they have no issues with it. There are some options I am considering:
1. Take off the AEM CAI and just ride stock...not cool
2. Get some kind of an ECU/computer fix
3. Try another intake/sell the AEM

What do you all think would be the best solution? Can you give me a preference on the ECU if that would be the best solve. Thanks greatly...

Ryroll

How about try to disconnect the battery for about 2 mins. Then idle the engine for 10-15min to see if it will help.

Actually I don't think it will help, but worth a try.

find out what the engine code is

I remember this being a common problem on 2k3.org, once we get that database back we'll see what the solution was because i don't remember....i heard it happens after a year or 30 k on it or something lik ethat

The engine code says something about emissions. That's what i read on the computer anyways. I know it has to be the intake then. My corolla is an automatic also but i don't know if that matters. So what should i do???? Please help!!!

Yeah, well. AEM CAI sucks. I've had one on my 2003 Corolla CE 5-spd for 4 months, 6000 miles. The engine knocked REALLY FRIGGIN BAD from 2000-3000rpms @ 1/2-full throttle. Nothing fixed it: every brand/grade of gas known to man, MAF sensor cleaning, opening gap on spark plugs, every fuel system cleaner I could get my hands on. Nothing helped - and I mean NOTHING. So, today, my car is back to stock because I'd rather not have pistons with holes blown through them or burnt exhaust valves. And changing back to stock DID solve the problem. So, if you'd prefer your car to last beyond the next few years without dumping thousands of dollars into it to repair it, then I'd suggest a different intake or just leaving it stock b/c AEM SUCKS!!!!

Sorry, I'm venting, but AEM still sucks!!!!!!! No engine can tolerate that for long, even if it is a bullet-proof 1ZZ. I'm a little pissed @ the situation if ya can't tell.

Good luck,
Trav

Thanx guys for the help, ill try those ideas

I've had the TRD cai for months and I've had no problems. Even put it on myself, no errors to this day. Plus it's under warranty I believe since it is TRD so ditch the shitty aem and get trd. I knew a girl at work who had an AEM that had the check engine light the first day they put it on. So get TRD

Those with the problem have you ever asked AEM about the problem???? Talked to a couple friends of mine and they said if AEM has the problem than most CAI will since it has the same shape just about. Unless you hit the gas hard all the time then that could cause engine wear. But some of my friends said the only difference would be the filter. I kinda agree i dont see how AEM, TRD, Injen difference i mean look at the form of it, they look all the same. Only difference could be how much air the intake sucks or lets in. But other than that i dont see how ppl have problems. My solution is call AEM manufacture and ask them and maybe they migth even give you a deal or money back etc.

They have that AEM rep on one of the posts here...i think it's in california too. Also , just call their number on their website. www.AEMPOWER.com they are all about customer service now. I had problems with them in the past but now they are cool as hell. I installed my intake in February and have put almost 20k on it with no probs. my splash guard has been gone for the past 3 months.

My only other suggestion is maybe due to the area you are in your filter gets dirty a lot faster and it needs to be cleaned?

With those that have the check engine light come on when it's first installed...that's because of improper install. Or if it comes on about a week or two later...again improper install. Ask rollarider about that. He can vouch what i'm saying for...it was a problem we fixed at dyno days in like 5 mins.

good luck with whatever you decide though

Im sorry to hear your situation Trav. Im actually thinking of taking it out anyways to see how the engine runs bcuz it's still under warranty and i don't want anything to happen to it. I was thinking of getting the TRD CAI. Anyone have any feedback on this CAI????

uh its basicly like the AEM but goes further down so basicly u might have to get rid of your foglights if you have any. But i got my AEM CAI and had no problems so far. I got my professionaly installed. and i know you have to let the car run idle so the ECU or what ever will adapt to it. But you shouldnt have any problems really unless you did something wrong. plus theres different ones i believe, one for auto and manual i think idk but i know it can be a big deal for an engine though. Also check to make sure the Os sensor is on snug and check the airfilter maybe its bad and letting in dust etc in the engine. O ya i forgot, i bet this well help deff. uplug the car from the battery. Then plus it back start the car for 2-5 seconds, then turn it off. Then turn it back on and let it run idle thats what i forgot, i bet thats what your reason is. Try that i bet the light wont come on, depending on how long you drove it with the light on.

Just go injen my opion they work way beter than aem

Your MAF sensor is probably dirty, resulting in an incorrect reading, which in turn affects your emissions. Clean the MAF. The CEL won't go away immediately after you clean the MAF, it will go away after 3 or 4 drive cycles so long as the problem is no longer present.

yup, it was fixed...ever since the "dyno day"..my car's chk engine light hasn't come on at all..thanxs..

Trd Cai

I have one installed on my '04. It works perfectly. I also installed it according to the directions. Sometimes ppl install items the way they think it should be installed, instead of reading the directions. lol<br />
What did you do?<br />
And oh yeah, my fuel mileage is up slightly as well.<br />
As far as I can see, the only negative is all the extra noise the cai produces. Some of which could be cured by carefully wrapping the tube in weatherproof insulation.<br />
That's my next project.

I had a AEM CAI to, I used it for about 1 week, I had the same problem as you have. The check engine light stays on, and minor engine knock. I tried to reset teh computer and disconnecting the battery to no avail. So I took it out and sold it. Now that I think about it maybe the install was wrong. Check you vaccum lines.

my check engine light came on once... then i realized that i forgot to plug in the mass air flow sensor and the idle air sensor... oops. never for my CAI tho i ahve an injen that i use as cold or or i cut it to be a short ram. ive had it on my 03 for 2 years now with no problems.

I think intakes are bad news for our vehicles. The Injen and AEM aren't a bargain either. In Southern California, spring and summer weather just saturates the intake with excessive heat and the car suffers. Gas mileage suffers, despite claims to the contrary. I've been pulling a code P0441 for months now. Its related to the EVAP system which interfaces with the intake. My gas mileage is below 25mpg, and thats driving 70% freeway. I finally was able to find a stock intake on Ebay (won it for $1.08, lost the old one) and re-installed it. The interesting thing is: the car felt just as powerful and responsive as it did with the intake! It even runs smoother. That's while using a stock paper filter too! The mileage has improved a little, but it still threw the CEL yesterday. I can't see what else could have caused the problem in the first place besides the intake.

I've cleaned the MAF, relocated the purge valve, along with everything else I can think of.

My repair guy said that a short in any of the components that interface with the intake could permanently damage the ECU. He also said that the malfunction could not regulate the EVAP system properly and fuel and fuel vapors can be sucked into the intake and make the system run rich and waste gas. Maybe thats why performance seems just as good without the intake, because its running rich.

I dunno. The whole intake dilemma has left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't think the ECU can properly manage the huge change in air volume and A/F ratio caused by having an intake installed. Heck, I can't even trust the TRD intake. Over on the Matrix board, there's message after message about CEL's after intalling the TRD intake! If the TRD intake is really engineered properly for the vehicle, there should be no CEL!

Damn them all to hell.

I had AEM intake on and I never had a problem at all. They have always been the best intake around and you can feel the power as soon as 3000 rpm. My answer to your problem is to go back and make sure you followed the instructions completey. Me and my dad installed mine and it was never and issue also make sure everything is plugged back in.

"I've been pulling a code P0441 for months now. Its related to the EVAP system which interfaces with the intake."

This is for incorrect purge flow. I think this is a separate issue altogether. The EVAP system shouldn't be affected at all by the intake, unless they aren't connected properly. The one hose that connects to the intake manifold (the purge valve) - well, that doesn't have anything to do with the intake....it's connected to the manifold and is operated by the ECU. The other that does connect to the intake...that one is also operated by the ECU, but is only connected to the intake so it can receive filtered air. It sucks air in, but needs filtered air...that's the only reason for it being connected to the intake.

Might wanna get that charcoal canister checked out. Check the hoses and gas cap as well. I just don't see it being an issue with the intake. This has been a recurrent problem on 8th gen corollas, from what I hear.

Late,
Trav