Installed K&N, now have check engine light? Help!

[JJexplorer]

Just installed a K&N filter, not even the FIPK, and now my check engine light comes on. I took the negative battery cable loose for about 10 minutes to try to reset the computer and the light still comes on. My Explorer is a '95 with the 160HP 4.0. Please let me know if anyone else has had this problem and how to get rid of the check engine light. Thanks from a newbie!

Jay

'95 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4x4
'01 Mustang GT Supercharged Bullitt #4660

 

[aldive]

I seriously doubt that the K & N caused your problem. Did you check for trouble codes?

 

[JJexplorer]

It's too much of a coincidence that the first time I start it seconds after installing the K&N and doing nothing else under the hood, that the check engine light came on. I didn't check the codes yet, not even sure how to do it, but it must have something to do with the MAF sensor??

 

[kps36]

Welome to the absolute best Explorer/Ford board around.
1) did you install the K&N right out of the box?
2) check your wiring for the MAS and the 'air tunnel' to the TBody and make sure you didn't disconnect anything during install.
3) if the answer to 1) is that you oiled it some more, then check your MAS (maybe do it anyway) and clean with a gentle cleaner (I use CRC Electronic cleaner w/good results). I don't even take the thing apart. Just unclip the filter holder and lift slightly. See the aluminum housing w/2 filaments inside of a 1/2" hole. Spray those.Let dry.
4)disconnect BOTH battery terminals (Neg first).
Touch the cables together and turn on lights, depress the brakes... reconnect.

If that doesn;t fix it, go to WalMart and purchse the $25 Ford code reader. This will save you ALOT of time and $ (trust me on this)!
It may be something else that just as a matter of coincidence popped up at this time.
Let us know.
thnx

 

[JJexplorer]

Excellent suggestions, just what I was hoping to get when I posted the question. I did install the K&N right out of the box, but I will double check all the connections to the inlet tube and spray down the sensor. What does touching the cables together and turning the lights/depressing the brakes accomplish? Is that how to reset the computer or just turn off the check engine light? Thanks again!

 

[kps36]

This is what an old/best tranny guy told me. It makes sure ALL residual power is drained, clearing completely the PCM (Computer). I know on chevys there are 2 fuse, battery disconnect, drain you gotta do. He says disconnecting the neg cable won't get that last little bit to clear (unless you do it overnite, which some here do.)
Seemed to work.

 

[JDraper]

Yep, gotta reset the computer. Same thing happened to mine when I put in the K&N drop in. Ran like S*%t and got a cel. Just disconnect your battery, wait 20 minutes and reconnect. Worked like a charm for me.

 

[JJexplorer]

Thanks Draper, I guess I didn't get a full power drain when I disconnected the battery the first time. It still seems to run ok though.