Installed a CAI but forgot one step...

PonyBoy87 · 03-23-2009

Hello all, I'm new to the forums, but have been reading up whenever I can. I recently installed a K&N performance cold air intake on my 2001 mustang and apparently missed a step (stupid me). The packed instructions indicated that I should have removed the negative battery cable before installing, and I'm assuming this is so that the ECU gets reset to "learn" the new intake part after installation. So far, no check engine light, and I've been riding on this for about a day and a half already. My question is, will not disconnecting the negative battery cable affect me in anyway (gas mileage, power, torque, etc)??? Thanks for any feedback!

hotshot · 03-23-2009

Is this a "no-tune" CAI?

And you would have already thrown a check engine light by now if something were wrong. Most directions say to disconnect the battery but almost no one actually does it. Just make sure the CAI is on nice and snug otherwise you could throw a P0171 like i did (engine running lean) since its pulling in unmetered air (if the 2001's have a MAF which i don't know for sure lol)

Big Daddy's Stang> · 03-23-2009

But if you feel like you should do it, then do it but without removing the cai again and everything will be okay...

My 5.0 91 LX · 03-23-2009

from what i have read eventually the computer will reset itself it just takes longer

Markstang690 · 03-23-2009

if its really concerning you then just take the neg battery cable off for 20 minutes or so like it says and just reconnect it again. its no big deal

StalkerStang · 03-23-2009

Don't worry about it....

Disconnecting the battery is more of a safety precaution then to clear the PCM. Of course it will help the PCM learn the new airflow characteristicts of the cold-air, but the PCM will learn it ok with normal driving.

On the 04 and older cars, they aren't nearly as tempermental as the 05+ cars when it comes to tinkering with stuff.

PonyBoy87 · 03-23-2009

Yeah, I believe it's a no-tune CAI, and it probably is just taking some time for it to learn the air flow. Thanks a lot guys!

cmaurer1 · 03-23-2009

^Do not expect to gain a lot of power, you may gain 2-3hp. Just telling you in case you did not know.

PonyBoy87 · 03-23-2009

Oh yeah, I knew that much putting it in. Had a dual magnaflow exhaust put in before the CAI. Thinking bout tuner/t-lock in the future, but gotta work on the aesthetics of the car next