So, me and my friend installed my AEM CAI on my 04 Ralliart last night. I now have the dreaded irregular idle problems. I've done research on what may be the problem, but I'd like to get some help from those who have the same car here at evolutionm. Help please?

 

More detail on the idle issue please.

Did you reset the ECU?

Do you have the MAF sensor seated properly in the CAI?

 

When I am driving and go in neutral to coast it drops to 500 rpm, and when sitting idle it will inconsistently range from 500 rpm-1200 rpm. We disconnected the battery terminals while installing the intake, and then reconnected them when we finished. Does that count as a reset?

 

did you let it idle for a bit on first start up?

 

It sounds like an MAF issue. The MAF housing can't be bigger then 2.5 in, if it is it will cause this kind of issues.

 

hmmm. . .if it's an AEM and designed for that car it should be fine. I'm running an AEM and have no issues. I do however, have a 63mm TB but if it's an AEM model for that car it should be fine.

Did you mishandle the MAF by chance? Drop it or bang it against something? They are finicky little turds at times and don't like to be bounced or banged.

 

Sounds like extra air is getting in. I had the same issue until I found out where my leak was, which was my intake manifold (for some reason it wasn't bolted all the way or came loose). Since you only did the CAI check to make sure all your seals are good. I used some throttle body cleaner and sprayed area's to see if there were any leaks, other people suggest to use incense, but the smoke blows around too much to find a leak this way.

Also I've had a MAF go bad on me, which ended the car in limp mode >_<

 

darewood is right...a leak will cause that...if unmetered air is getting in, or also a vacuum leak will cause a similar problem.

 

i didnt read all the other answers, BUT.. this is what you have to do. thats NORMAL.

reset the ecu by taking the negative battery cable off.

let idle for 5 minutes.

drive around for 10 minutes under 3000 rpms


DONE. & even if you dont do that. your car should relearn it self. anytime i take my battery cable off my car sounds like it going to stall at stop signs . the car needs to relearn itself like i said its noromal NO WORRIES lol

 

mine does that but only when i turn it on it revs itself to around 1200 then drops.....is that normal? or when im constantly on the gas like on the track it will stay at 1000. it doesent seem to affect the car at all tho.

 

Mine has done this since I've got the car, I'm just going out on a limb, but the rev to 12,000 rpms is a way to warm up the engine. I always let mine warm up a little before driving. And the 1,000 rpms seems normal also, mine stick there after driving on the highway or just driving fast. It probably does something to keep the engine in line or some part.


(Off Topic) Just wondering if its bad to rev your engine when its cold and when its cold outside? I have a neighbor who is a dealer, but every time he starts a vehicle he always revs it like 3-4 times. Wouldn't this cause issues since the parts aren't fully warmed up and with the rev's causing it to heat up way to fast?

 

Yes that is bad. Oil does not start lubing until it reaches around 212 degrees since it is thin enough at that point to be sprayed through the oil pump.

Everyone should go to this site and read the content, especially Motor Oil 101. This is probably the best oil site on the net. Bob IS the oil guy

 

That reflash is worth every penny revving up to 12,000 and all

 

12,000 rpms HAHAH..

and every car idles higher when you first start it..........

 

heck yea man, yours doesn't do that? On a side note, thanks for the info velo. And I should probably proofread my posts haha.