Hi, I'm new to the forums, and modding cars. I just installed a new BBK CAI on my 2002 3.8 V6. The hose is plugged in, the MAF is plugged in, everything looks set up right. When I start my car, the CEL comes on and doesn't go away. I've been looking around online and some people are saying to reset the ECU. Others are saying resetting the ECU will make me lose any gains from the intake. Idk what to do here, so I figured I'd get some personal help. Is it normal for the CEL to come on? Will it go off eventually? What is wrong here?

 

first of all, you didnt gain any power with the intake. Reset the ECU. Triple check your connections and any vacuum/PCV lines you may have needed to transfer to the CAI. make sure the hose clamps are tight.

No its not normal for the CEL to come on after a CAI install on an older stang.

 

Just go and disconnect the negative battery cable and turn the headlights on for 5 mins or soo. Then go reconnect it and that will clear and reset the ECU. And why would doing that ever make you loose the gains from it? That makes no sense at all. I'm with zig on going back and making sure you have no leaks and everything is correctly hooked up.