Will anybody in the STL area take a look at my Vararam intake? It keeps pulling the CEL on me codes
P0172 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 1
P0175 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 2

I'll take some detailed pics of the setup later. They started coming after I installed it. Do I need to do an Idle/PCM relearn? Do I need a tune? Air leak?

The light comes on about once a week prior to me clearing it immediately. Is this anything to really worry about. I'm going to be buying headers and getting a tune here soon, should I just wait until then?

 

Hi. I had no problem with the MIL/CEL after installing the Vararam, but I also did the Predator tune within five miles or so. My car is a '99 A4 coupe with Vararam, Flowmaster exhaust, MSD wires and AC platinum plugs at tune up while the Vararam was being installed. There was some other minor mod, but I can't remember it.

Rich reading is interesting. I get a slight lean surge on decel from time to time - not often, and not enough to worry about. If anything, I'd expect to get a lean reading, as the Vararam is shoving more air in once you get rolling.

Only thing I can think of straightaway is an obstruction in the intake. Not sure if the IAT sensor could throw the PCM off and make it run rich - you may want to make sure it's connected as should be.

I've been happy with the Predator tune, but I need to be able to put the stock tune back on for smog checks, so it's handy there. If I make further mods (ok, when I make further mods -it's inevitable), and if they don't involve forced induction, I'll probably go to one of their partner tuners to get a custom tune that I can store on the handset and swap at smog check time. But any competent custom tune should make for better running.

Still, the rich indication is the opposite of what I'd expect.

Good luck!

 

I know, thats whats surprising me. Could the pcm be correcting the lean factor and running rich?

 

Sounds plausible. I can only go from my car - acts lean. But the PCM relearn isn't a bad place to start. This is the fuel trims, not the O2 sensors, so the added airflow could be causing higher fuel demand than is in the trim tables.

The Predator may be the reason I didn't see that - it remaps fuel, so may have handled it. It also starts a relearn cycle when you reprogram.

I know there are differences of opinion, but I've liked the Predator. It was moderately priced, given that it gives me a scan tool as well, and works fine with my bolt-ons. They've also been great for tech support. If you've got more serious mods, you'll probably want a dyno or street-driven tune (street-driven would be best with the Vararam, since it is affected by speed). But in our over-regulated state, it's important to me to be able to store my factory tune, and put it back if needed.

I'd try the relearn. Disconnect the battery, or the PCM fuse. Leave it off for a while, then put it back. Then drive and see what happens. Maybe CajunDude will jump in - he seems to have a good handle on these CAI systems.

 

Ohhh Cajundude

 

May sound like too simple a solution but maybe worth a try.
Unhook the battery and reconnect, the computer should do a relearn
may help.

 

Check for vacuum leaks and all your air connections, especially behind the MAF. Since your car is older, some of the vacuum lines may be brittle and may have cracked when you moved things around. I don't have my manual here with me but one of the first things they tell you to check are the vacuum lines then the EVAP lines for these codes.

Secondly, pick up some non-residue electronics cleaner and clean the MAF. Do you still have the screen in it?

 

That's a good question... I'll let you know

 

IIRC, the directions say to relearn the computer by driving at highway speed right after install. In DC, I had to do this on a Friday night at about 11pm. I wonder if you don't do that if it could cause this problem?

Just a thought. I have one on and never had a code (I did the relearn as described above)

Cassidy

 

Strange thing being is that it did happen right after the install. The only problem is I don't see anything leaking. I still haven't checked my MAF.

 

I'm going to bump this and propose a new idea. As of now I have a cat that is rattling. Could it be possible that a cat going bad could throw a code?

 

I had the same thing happen to me the first day I installed mine. I disconnected the battery and waited 10 minutes. I then reconnected and drove on the freeway for about 40 miles at normal posted speed and never had the light come on again. There is a pcm re-learn process and thats what was recommended. Hope this helps..

 

I guess that is what I'll be doing

 

Since its both banks, I would suspect something upstream. You may just need to re-calibrate the MAF but try the simple things first.

 

Check it, the previous owner of my Z06 had installed a MAF that was calibrated and it would throw those same codes, cleaned it up and the SEL would go away for a bit only to return. I replaced the MAF and all is well. Just a hunch.

Edit: I also had the vararam but I did not care for it so I returned it to stock, but I had the problem with codes installed as well as after I returned it to stock.