I have done a ton of research on the check engine light problem and am having the same symptons that have been heavily reported within this forum. Under heavy accelleration the check engine light flashes on and goes away. I've had this problem before and I know there is an ECU upgrade. I've set an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to have them take a look. The thing I worry about is I have the AEM intake and UR Pulley in there.

Has anyone experienced the check engine light with the aftermarket parts before and after? This has happened to me and the thing I worry about is if the dealer is going to say something about the intake and pulley?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

I would assume that when they hook it up to the diagnostic computer, they wont even be around the pulley.. they may not even realize its different.... the CAI shouldnt be a problem either since alot of cars have them and noone has ever said there was a dealer that had a problem... just get the ecu upgrade done and see what happens. I dont know the particulars, but if there was a TSB or any other documents about this issue, print them out and take them with you....

 

jmbnova,

That's exactly what i've done. I printed out some of the discussions from this forum on the check engine light flashing? I mean I was getting the light before the aftermarket parts so it was evident then. Now that I've got increase in power, especially with the pulley, the light comes on more.

 

with all due respect, are u sure you weren't justing seeing the traction control yellow triangle light flashing when you lost traction under hard accel.? just checking.

 

No, I'm pretty sure. I can almost make the light come on at will. Let's say I'm driving around 80mph and I decided to punch it, the car goes crazy wild at WOT and the light will start to flash. So i know there's nothing wrong with the engine cause the power is there. But that light will flash for a few seconds untill I let off the gas and will disappear.

 

I think he does meant TRACTION CONTROL "ORANGE" TRIANGLE light. I've never seen my "check engine" light go on. I've had my car for 1.5 yrs now.

 

Yes Mike make sure it's not the yellow/orange triangel flashing. That is the traction control light and that will flash if you the wheels hop at all or sometimes when you floor it and the wheels spin.

 

No, Its the engine light. TRUST ME!!!

 

Plus, I can't make my wheels spin at 80mph. Please Trust Me On This. I do appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out though.

 

This happened to me one day...I floored it and all of a sudden the CEL came on...it blinked for a minute or so and went off...haven't seen it since. I just assumed it was due to a couple of drops of water getting sucked in through the CAI (it was wet/lightly raining).

 

Why would you want to make your wheels spiin at 80 mph??!!

 

I was just trying to prove a point that I knew the difference between the VSA light vs the Check Engine Light.

 

this happens to me as well. under heavy excelleration, it will sometimes trip the CEL and it will flash for a while or sometimes it will flash and stay on for a period of time. no performance issues. it did it before my mods and just as much after. been contemplating taking it in, but i just don't have alot of time and can't lose the car while they figure it out. info would greatly help my decision. by the way, mine's got the a/t.

 

pufferfish74 - do you have any aftermarket parts installed. I haven't really noticed any performance issues when the light does come on. Just gets in my head I guess. I'm trying to avoid the dealer too.

I'll let you know what happens.

 

i have the aem cai and the comptech cat back. that little light was going haywire at summit point raceway. between holding 2nd at 5000rpm in the corners and mashing the gas pedal through the floorboards out of every corner, i swear it was sending out sos signals!

never saw any sign of performance degredation or funny noises. i am convinced its emissions related. its not hurting gas mileage either. i drove back home this past weekend (850 miles) with that light on solid the whole way...all because i had a little too much fun at an on-ramp.

 

are you using premium gas?

are you over-reving the engine?

 

I wonder if its an AT thing? I have an MT and haven't seen anyother light, but the triangle.

 

Nope, not over reving it. The car is at the dealer getting looked at for the check engine light. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

redrum4me,
I have an AT and have nerver seen the CEL come on. Knock on wood!

 

ever hold 2nd gear to 5k while waiting to gun it past slower traffic? ever push the pedal down so hard your foot starts to get numb and you swear there is a dimple in the floorboard now? its the merciless extraction of every ounce of horsepower that produces this phenominon. sorry, but i don't think most TL drivers have got it in them to do this. i believe it is those people who have not experienced the CEL light show. can anyone attest to the first two questions and not come out of it with the BLS (blinking light syndrome)?

By the way, mmanuel09...did you take her in for the checkup yet? if so, what was the diagnosis?

 

I have done both those things frequently. Never had a CEL. Had VSA come on all the time though...

 

Pufferfish74 - You absolutely nailed it! Its those times that you really want to know what this baby (TL) can really do and hard can you push it.

I got the car back from the dealer and they checked the ECU. It reported nothing wrong. I asked them if they can still run the update (or Flash) on the ECU but the service mager didn't want to do it. He said that they are no ECU updates for my Vin #'s. I printed out some reports from this forum and he mentioned that if it happens again he'll do it. Oh by the way. He did mention that this is a common occurence in the 04 TL with certain Vin #'s. I guess they are the early builds.

Pupperfish74 - I had a loaner for 2 days and "Man" I can really tell the difference between stock TL and and a modded TL. A couple things that I really noticed the difference was handling without the Comptech Sway Bar and the loudness of the AEM Intake. I guess I was used to a modded TL for a while and always wondering if these mods were worth it. From my experiece - "Well Worth It" And this is coming from a guy who's never modded a car before. Thanks to this forum - "I've Learned Alot" Next mod - ASPEC Suspension.

 

i may have an early build car. i got mine in march of '04. this ECU reflash may be the ticket for me. gonna have to call up the dealership. f-in light is back on again. its a real PITA! i am really considering the A-spec suspension. its a total win win. better handling and its stock parts, so it doesn't take me out of my current Solo II class.