K&N Air Charger installed "Drive-Start control system" and Check Engine lights after install

[jbtaco2002]

Just sharing and documenting my experience.

installed the K&N System yesterday(PN: 63-9043), i did NOT disconnect battery per instructions. Afterwards i drove it 3 miles to get fuel and was thoroughly enjoying the new sounds, subtly like the Trailhunter snorkel, but much less obnoxious. It is really cool hearing the turbo spool up

1/2 way home after filling up, the dash lit up with check engine lights and Drive Start control error.

drove fine and no noticeable loss of power or limp mode observed.

once home did some Googling, and then disconnected the battery negative terminal for a bit, and then reconnected and started up int he driveway only, CEL's gone. i did not drive it again.

i will be driving it to work today and fingers crossed it's fine.

thoughts are that the ECU is seeing drastically different airflow, so it triggers this sequence of CELs, or i somehow installed the MAF sensor wrong, but 99.9% confident it's fine and in the correct orientation, 0.1% could be from topping off gas tank?

i will follow up later, just FYI!

thanks

 

[D-mac]

I had a new drop-in K&N on my last car (Mercedes Bluetec) that threw error codes immediately. I tried a couple of times to make sure there were no leaks, but could not get it to work correctly. Never had this problem before on any K&N filter I installed. Fortunately, K&N provided a refund. If K&N (or other manufacturer) gets 50-state/CARB approval for this intake in a LC250 application, I would be more confident that it was tested to show there will be no errors. K&N may or may not have evaluated during their testing if the LC250 engine has different tuning than the Tacoma, 4Runner, Crown, NX250, etc. even though they are all the "same engine".

 

[Insanoflexathf]

following

 

[jbtaco2002]

Update: 30 minute drive to work, no issues this morning.

Go to lunch, and about 5 minutes into the drive, all the same CELs popped up. No impact to drivability that I can tell.

Very frustrated and probably reverting back to stock, not worth the trouble TBH.

 

[jbtaco2002]

the one thing in common is that the CELs came on on the 2nd startup each time.... not sure if that's significant

i decided i didn't want to keep driving like that in hopes that maybe 5-6 startups later it just resolves itself, so i am back to stock now

intake system for sale soon

 

[Justaron123]

Double check the roto molded tube. My first one had an odd cut out “egg shape” that didn’t let the vacuum hose seat right. Causing a big air leak. K&N sent one within a few days and no issues after it was replaced. Also make sure you have the block off plate on the front. It could be effecting your air/fuel ratio with the extra opening. There kit does eliminate the intake resonator. Over it’s a great intake system. I’ve had mine for awhile now and no issues after the tube was replaced.

 

[StickerFab]

Only issues I had with this PN on a gas 4Runner was when I tried to use an AFE Scorcher.

77 Series on this vehicle has not thrown any codes. Unlike the 63, it does not require removal of the plastic intake manifold.

 

[LSLC250]

I've been running the AFE for two weeks now with no codes.......

 

[Hawaiian In Town]

I just ordered my K&N I'll report back once I test drive with system installed.

 

[Hawaiian In Town]

Installed with negative disconnected, and without the front duct cover (was not in packaging). Drove 6mi. no codes or alerts.

Will call K&N to get a discount for my missing piece... haha. See if it's even necessary in our LC's.

 

[jbtaco2002]

my first drive was fine, it was the 2nd trip that prompted all of the CELs

edit: i do appreciate that you responded here!

 

[Hawaiian In Town]

my first drive was fine, it was the 2nd trip that prompted all of the CELs

edit: i do appreciate that you responded here!

Second drive was 106mi. no codes and/or alerts.

 

[jbtaco2002]

Second drive was 106mi. no codes and/or alerts.

congrats! happy you are having better luck than I. one thought about the lack of the cover plate is that you are drawing in hot air from the engine bay as well as colder air through the fender... i think the block off plate is needed.

how do you feel about the part throttle sounds in the cab with the windows closed?

 

[Sugarloafer80]

And besides sound what does the Dyno say?

 

[Hawaiian In Town]

congrats! happy you are having better luck than I. one thought about the lack of the cover plate is that you are drawing in hot air from the engine bay as well as colder air through the fender... i think the block off plate is needed.

how do you feel about the part throttle sounds in the cab with the windows closed?

Coming up to highway speeds and purposely dumping, my phone picking up audio from wireless charge pad... love at first decibel!