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CAI Install 2021 Silverado 1500 Check Air Filter System Alert

W3SChevy
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W3SChevy New Member

W3SChevy

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Hey all, I have installed a K&N CAI in my 2021 Silverado 1500 LTZ 5.3L. The video shown in a post about this issue only works if you do that BEFORE you get to the point of seeing the Check System message. I’ve been to 1 Chevy service center and they won’t touch it or clear my code. They don’t seem to understand. I’ve explained it to another Chevy service center and they said it may be a few hours of labor and their Tech support. K&N support doesn’t understand why these service centers don’t just clear the code and disable it in the info screen. 
 

I’ve disconnected the negative battery cable for various amounts of time from 10 min to an hour and left the headlights on to drain the rest of the ECM. I connect it again and the same message pops up. If I can get the code cleared I should be able to go in and disable the air filter monitor. Note that I have used an after market code clearing tool and it doesn’t do the trick. 

Cold Air Intakes are very common so I’m not sure why the dealerships are acting so clueless about this. 
 

 

Help!

Anacortes Army Guy Enthusiast

Anacortes Army Guy

Posted
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When you say "disable the air filter monitor," what exactly are you referring to?  If you are referring to the DIC "remaining air filter life" feature, you can disable that yourself using the steering wheel DIC buttons.  When the dealer installed the GM performance CAI on my 2020 5.3 the instructions stated to disable it only because it was calibrated for the stock filter, and not the CAI, with the only potential issue being it showing the alert that the air filter needed to be replaced when it really didn't.  So the last thing the tech did, after the reflash of the ECM to adjust for the relocated MAF, was disable the air filter monitor using the steering wheel buttons.  During the installation of the CAI was the negative battery cable disconnected?  If the DIC is not letting you disable the air filter monitor feature, I guess you could reinstall the OEM air intake and start over (clearing the codes beforehand), ensuring the negative terminal is disconnected before you begin.  Having said that there are owners who still report  an issue with the CEL coming on after installing a CAI, sometimes not until after a few days after installation, which is why I decided to go with the GM CAI, and didn't want to deal with any warranty claim issues as my dealer is a real stickler in that regard.

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Rob Mugs Enthusiast

Rob Mugs

Posted
Posted

What Army guy said...  I personally went with S&B and have had zero issues (and they claim to keep stock warranty).  If the code keeps coming back, likely have something wrong with your install.  eg, a leak around the MAF

W3SChevy New Member

W3SChevy

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Did the AutoZone thing and they couldn’t clear it. 
 

Yes I’m referring to the DIC remaining filter life. I’m past the point of being able to hold the button down on that screen and disable the filter life monitor. I go to that screen and it just states Check System and no filter %. Apparently if you click ok on the alert to dismiss it about 5x it locks you out of being able to go in and disable it. 
 

I’ve had the GM CAI in 3 other trucks I’ve had in the past 2 years and the last item is to have the tech enter a PCI code and have GM program it. I’m wondering if they need to do that. I still have the code from that CAI. It was the same body style and engine. The K&N one had better reviews and was cheaper than the GM one so I decided to do this one myself. I guess I’m paying for it now. 
 

I may try to install the old one as stated by the one comment and see if that clears it up then reinstall. That may be my last step if the next service center won’t fix it. 

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W3SChevy New Member

W3SChevy

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Disconnected the negative battery cable, reinstalled the OEM intake and ran the truck around the neighborhood and let it idle a bit too. I also cycled it on and off about 5 times. Still no luck... I still have the Check Engine Air Filter System message. I reinstalled my K&N and will have to pay Chevy to troubleshoot I guess. 

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