RPM's Too Low

infiniti_4_life · 08-12-2006, 05:39 AM

Ok here is the problem. I have a Civic EX, and I just installed an AEM CAI. Not Only is my CEL on but when I drive and im in gear, (Say 2,000 RPMs) and I press the clutch the RPMs drop below 500. Sometimes in the 400s. It doesnt do it every time, but I would say 1 out of every 5 times i press the clutch to slow down. It went down so much once that the car stalled at about 19 MPH...

Any one know what it could be?

Also did anyone figure out how to fix the CEL. Im planing on calling AEM in the morning to ask about this. Other then that I LOVE to CAI.

Thanks,
Infiniti_4_life

**Yodums** · 08-12-2006, 09:14 AM

So, you only experienced this problem once you installed the CAI? I've never heard of such a problem happen by installing a CAI. It sounds more like a mechanical problem than the CAI's problem.

As for CEL, have you tried disconnecting the negative terminal battery for about 15 - 20 minutes, letting the car idle for about 15 minutes and driving it really conservatively for the first 100 km? Otherwise, double check hose clamps and any possible air leaks. AEM's quality has really gone downhill. Their placement for the MAF absolutely sucks ass, so it might not even be anything with your install.

Let me know if you have the e-mail to AEM. I'd like to throw my $0.02 at them as well since I've had a CEL for quite a bit of time.

***Jrfish007*** · 08-12-2006, 09:25 AM

Go to autozone and get CEL checked out. IF you tell us what code it is, we'll try to see what is wrong.

infiniti_4_life · 08-12-2006, 01:37 PM

Well as Far as the CEL, a friend of mine works at Honda, so I went over there to get it checked out. It turns out to be the MAP Sensor. Which said that the car is running a little lean... He said its because of the CAI. The Air is more dense, and a lot colder since I Bypassed the Coolant. He said the computer should learn this and adapt to it. But so far...

**Yodums** · 08-12-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infiniti_4_life

Well as Far as the CEL, a friend of mine works at Honda, so I went over there to get it checked out. It turns out to be the MAP Sensor. Which said that the car is running a little lean... He said its because of the CAI. The Air is more dense, and a lot colder since I Bypassed the Coolant. He said the computer should learn this and adapt to it. But so far...

I've had the CEL for quite a while. I keep on trying new things that require me to reset the ECU, so I haven't driven for long periods of time without resetting the ECU. I'm pretty much out of ideas at this point, so I'm going to let it sit the way it is and see what happens. There was only one instance where the CEL came on and then later on turned off. Too bad it turned back on very shortly.

I know it's a MAF sensor problem because similar to your situation, I'm getting the too rich, too lean crap. I'm pretty sure it's just the way AEM designed their product and where the MAF placement is. It's basically in a shitty spot.

How about the RPM issue? You might want to bring it in if all you got were MAF sensor-related ECU codes. Your RPMs shouldn't be lower than idle RPMs...

06CivEXJon · 08-12-2006, 02:49 PM

Thats why you dont buy AEM,they rush their products out, without testing them. You should of got the Injen,if installed properly there will/would be no CEL.

infiniti_4_life · 08-12-2006, 03:01 PM

Well I had AEM on my other cars with no problem... Im suprised that the AEM caused the CEL.

AEM needs to fix this, because I really dont want to Order the Injen CAI, take off the AEM, put on the Injen, Sell the AEM. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also I dont want to take it to Honda because im pretty sure that they will look at my intake and think im a dumb ass for putting that peice of shit in there...

Now im upset!!!

**Yodums** · 08-12-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infiniti_4_life

Well I had AEM on my other cars with no problem... Im suprised that the AEM caused the CEL.

AEM needs to fix this, because I really dont want to Order the Injen CAI, take off the AEM, put on the Injen, Sell the AEM. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also I dont want to take it to Honda because im pretty sure that they will look at my intake and think im a dumb ass for putting that peice of shit in there...

Now im upset!!!

Tell me about it. I'm bringing in my car Monday to get the molding of rear driver's door replaced... before I'm going to bring it in, I'm going to sit outside near the place and reset my ECU. God, it's annoying. And similar to you, I don't want to go out and buy the Injen, replace it, and then find someone who will take my AEM intake that gives a CEL.

infiniti_4_life · 08-12-2006, 03:13 PM

Also, Resetting the ECU every time is probably now good. When I took mine in to my friend at Honda, he had the option to clear the code and erase the CEL, but the ECU also keeps a record of the CEL. So after you clear the code the ECU looks back and sees that the CEL was on before, diagnoses the engine finds whatever is wrong and puts the CEL back on...

I erased the code and the history with the Honda Computer, and I had no CEL for 2 days or so, but we all know what happened next.

***Jrfish007*** · 08-12-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infiniti_4_life

Well as Far as the CEL, a friend of mine works at Honda, so I went over there to get it checked out. It turns out to be the MAP Sensor. Which said that the car is running a little lean... He said its because of the CAI. The Air is more dense, and a lot colder since I Bypassed the Coolant. He said the computer should learn this and adapt to it. But so far...

not to insult your friend.... but he really doesn't know what he's talking about here. Air going through the filter is no more or less dense than it is outside the car. The intake is not changing that, but rather the air velocity, and that's only the air velocity in the intake track, which doesn't matter because the air velocity in the throttle body is still the same. Also, the collant by pass does not change the tempature of the air. Honestly think about how quickly the air moves through there and how much of a tempature change that will cause, maybe 0.1 degree change if that. The coolant lines are desinged to keep the throttle from freezing when air is very cold and a little water condenses on it, it can't change the temp of the air...

My GUESS, and with out seeing the car that is all I can do, is that the filter on your intake is the oiled type. Sometimes these have to much oil on them and end up coating the mass air sensor, which cause the car to think it has some funky pressure (or as your friend would call it density). If you clean this sensor and put a paper filter on your intake, you will probably get rid of this problem. But that is just a guess, I've seen this happen on other cars.

If I where you I would contact AEM and tell them about your situation, they may have a solution too.

infiniti_4_life · 08-12-2006, 03:54 PM

Well the Filter that is on the intake is the one that came with the kit from AEM. Its the Dry Flow Crap! As far as I know each and every person that bought an AEM intake has a CEL, its not just me... Im gonna Call AEM right now.

***Jrfish007*** · 08-12-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infiniti_4_life

Well the Filter that is on the intake is the one that came with the kit from AEM. Its the Dry Flow Crap! As far as I know each and every person that bought an AEM intake has a CEL, its not just me... Im gonna Call AEM right now.

So they gave you the dry flow thing... interesting. Then the oil is probably not the issue lol

I woud call them if they are open today.

**Yodums** · 08-12-2006, 04:41 PM

I'm going to call AEM on Monday. I'll update you on the details.

infiniti_4_life · 08-12-2006, 04:47 PM

Thank you guys, as for my other problem with the RPMs dropping below the 500 RPM mark when I press the clutch to take it out of gear... Anyone have an thoughts on what can be causing this?

***Jrfish007*** · 08-12-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infiniti_4_life

Thank you guys, as for my other problem with the RPMs dropping below the 500 RPM mark when I press the clutch to take it out of gear... Anyone have an thoughts on what can be causing this?

I would say it's all related. I had a MAP sensor go bad on an 90 somehting Tempo I had, and it did exactly that when I pushed the clutch in. It also lacked power when you tried to acclerate anything past granny acceleration. If you have these problems, I would put you stock intake on, reset the ECU and when the CEL comes back on, take it to the dealer, maybe your MAP sensor is bad... In anycase I would put the stock stuff back on and drive it around for a while to see if it really is the intake... just my .02.

infiniti_4_life · 08-12-2006, 05:16 PM

Sounds like a good idea, but I really dont want to go through the headache of putting the old stuff back on... I called CorSport and told them the problem, he said he will call AEM on Monday and see what they say... If the MAP senson is not too expensive I would rather pay 50 to replace it then put the OEM stuff back on.

Thanks for the Info JR, Im going to do more reasearch and see what I come up with... Also, From what I read Everyone that has the AEM CAI has a CEL, people that went with the Injen or the Fujita have to CEL problems. This is what really bugs.

Thanks,
Infiniti_4_life

08-12-2006, 05:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
infiniti_4_life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sunshine State Age: 21 Posts: 816 Artem iTrader: 3 / 100%	RPM's Too Low Ok here is the problem. I have a Civic EX, and I just installed an AEM CAI. Not Only is my CEL on but when I drive and im in gear, (Say 2,000 RPMs) and I press the clutch the RPMs drop below 500. Sometimes in the 400s. It doesnt do it every time, but I would say 1 out of every 5 times i press the clutch to slow down. It went down so much once that the car stalled at about 19 MPH... Any one know what it could be? Also did anyone figure out how to fix the CEL. Im planing on calling AEM in the morning to ask about this. Other then that I LOVE to CAI. Thanks, Infiniti_4_life

08-12-2006, 09:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Yodums Scrodums Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 8,480 HIRO - ಠ_ಠ iTrader: 10 / 100%	So, you only experienced this problem once you installed the CAI? I've never heard of such a problem happen by installing a CAI. It sounds more like a mechanical problem than the CAI's problem. As for CEL, have you tried disconnecting the negative terminal battery for about 15 - 20 minutes, letting the car idle for about 15 minutes and driving it really conservatively for the first 100 km? Otherwise, double check hose clamps and any possible air leaks. AEM's quality has really gone downhill. Their placement for the MAF absolutely sucks ass, so it might not even be anything with your install. Let me know if you have the e-mail to AEM. I'd like to throw my $0.02 at them as well since I've had a CEL for quite a bit of time. __________________ 2007 Taffeta White Civic Si Coupe

08-12-2006, 04:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
Yodums Scrodums Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 8,480 HIRO - ಠ_ಠ iTrader: 10 / 100%	I'm going to call AEM on Monday. I'll update you on the details. __________________ 2007 Taffeta White Civic Si Coupe

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08-12-2006, 09:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
*Jrfish007* STIG: a tamed race driver Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 28 Posts: 1,631 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Go to autozone and get CEL checked out. IF you tell us what code it is, we'll try to see what is wrong.

08-12-2006, 01:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
infiniti_4_life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sunshine State Age: 21 Posts: 816 Artem iTrader: 3 / 100%	Well as Far as the CEL, a friend of mine works at Honda, so I went over there to get it checked out. It turns out to be the MAP Sensor. Which said that the car is running a little lean... He said its because of the CAI. The Air is more dense, and a lot colder since I Bypassed the Coolant. He said the computer should learn this and adapt to it. But so far...

08-12-2006, 02:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
06CivEXJon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monument/Colorado Springs Colorado Posts: 4,600 Jon iTrader: 0 / 0%	Thats why you dont buy AEM,they rush their products out, without testing them. You should of got the Injen,if installed properly there will/would be no CEL.

08-12-2006, 03:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
infiniti_4_life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sunshine State Age: 21 Posts: 816 Artem iTrader: 3 / 100%	Well I had AEM on my other cars with no problem... Im suprised that the AEM caused the CEL. AEM needs to fix this, because I really dont want to Order the Injen CAI, take off the AEM, put on the Injen, Sell the AEM. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also I dont want to take it to Honda because im pretty sure that they will look at my intake and think im a dumb ass for putting that peice of shit in there... Now im upset!!!

08-12-2006, 03:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
infiniti_4_life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sunshine State Age: 21 Posts: 816 Artem iTrader: 3 / 100%	Also, Resetting the ECU every time is probably now good. When I took mine in to my friend at Honda, he had the option to clear the code and erase the CEL, but the ECU also keeps a record of the CEL. So after you clear the code the ECU looks back and sees that the CEL was on before, diagnoses the engine finds whatever is wrong and puts the CEL back on... I erased the code and the history with the Honda Computer, and I had no CEL for 2 days or so, but we all know what happened next.

08-12-2006, 03:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
infiniti_4_life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sunshine State Age: 21 Posts: 816 Artem iTrader: 3 / 100%	Well the Filter that is on the intake is the one that came with the kit from AEM. Its the Dry Flow Crap! As far as I know each and every person that bought an AEM intake has a CEL, its not just me... Im gonna Call AEM right now.

08-12-2006, 04:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
infiniti_4_life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sunshine State Age: 21 Posts: 816 Artem iTrader: 3 / 100%	Thank you guys, as for my other problem with the RPMs dropping below the 500 RPM mark when I press the clutch to take it out of gear... Anyone have an thoughts on what can be causing this?

08-12-2006, 05:16 PM	#16 (permalink)
infiniti_4_life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sunshine State Age: 21 Posts: 816 Artem iTrader: 3 / 100%	Sounds like a good idea, but I really dont want to go through the headache of putting the old stuff back on... I called CorSport and told them the problem, he said he will call AEM on Monday and see what they say... If the MAP senson is not too expensive I would rather pay 50 to replace it then put the OEM stuff back on. Thanks for the Info JR, Im going to do more reasearch and see what I come up with... Also, From what I read Everyone that has the AEM CAI has a CEL, people that went with the Injen or the Fujita have to CEL problems. This is what really bugs. Thanks, Infiniti_4_life