Engine need help with CAI

need help with CAI

I have an '03 S and wanted to start upgrades with a CAI. I put an Injen on and ran it for about two months. My car started sounding like $h!t so I took it to the dealer. They made me put the stock AI back on before they'd take a look. I did so and took it back. They said the MAF sensor was bad and replaced it. As soon as I got the car back, I put the Injen CAI back on. Immediately, the check engine light came on and it ran like $h1t again! I put the original AI on and took it back to the dealer. They said the MAF sensor was bad again and had to replace it. They told me if I put the aftermarket part back on and the MAF crapped out again, they wouldn't replace it. Since it's a couple hundred dollar part, I haven't put the intake back on.

I've never heard of anyone having these kinds of issues before with a CAI. The dealer told me if I would have gotten TRD parts, then they would warranty it. I seriously don't see a difference in Injen vs. TRD CAI.

I did some research and found out that the MAF hole on the CAI may be too close to the throttle body and could cause strange sound and air waves to rattle the MAF sensor and cause it to short out.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what I can do to put a CAI on without damaging electrical parts on my car????

This is supposed to be easy!!!..AAAHHGGG!

Thanks.

I have a SRI intake on my 01 and haven't had any of the problems you're describing. I'm not an expert, but I don't think the location MAF sensor has anything to do with what's wrong with your car.

What happened to my car was that it would shudder a little bit on idle. I couldn't figure out what it was, so I just went in and tightened all the hose connections that I had moved, tightened the two screws holding in the MAF sensor, and made sure the VSV hose was unkinked. Haven't had any problems since.

Would dropping on the ground and accidentally running it over be "beating the crap out of it"? J/K

No, I was quite safe with it...didn't even bump it on the sides of the AI. The only other thing I did was remove the battery to get the CAI routed behind the bumper. I unplugged the MAF, then disconnected the battery...installation was connecting battery, then connecting MAF sensor cable. I think it's really odd that it happened twice. The dealer claims they replaced the MAF sensor the first time, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they just reset the error code and gave it back to me.
I did some more research and other people with other types of cars said MAF usually don't go bad. They said they get dirty, but you can clean them with a Q-tip and carb cleaner.

Are you beating the crap out of the MAF sensor when you remove it? you have to be VERY careful with that thing.

I have an '03 Corolla 5-spd with the AEM CAI and a magnaflow SS muffler. Anyhow, I have had the CAI for about 6,000 miles now and the car performs REALLY well, never had a check engine light, but the engine knocks REAL bad b/w 2K and 3K rpms at 1/2 to full throttle. It's MUCH worse on hot days. Brand and octane of fuel makes no difference, nor does any fuel system cleaner (including Seafoam). I used electrical parts cleaner to clean the MAF b/c I thought oil from the filter had gotten on it, but it made no difference.

When you say the car ran bad, what do you mean? No power or what? Did you get a check engine light immediately? Ever noticed any kind of knocking?? Any ideas? Anyone??

Trav

Don't tell the dealership you have an aftermarket intake if it isn't TRD. Just put it on and if it breaks again, then you need to put the OEM intake back on. Tell them it broke, but you didn't put the aftermarket one on.

Sounds like your hoses are bad, and it also sounds like you are hitting/frying the MAF sensor with something.

Thanks,

I'll try to install it again this weekend and let you know how it goes.