Battery Disconnect for Cold Air Kit????

[z2810inch]

I have a 2003 Yukon XL Denali, I recently purchases a K&N filter and an Airaid modular intake tube. The instructions for installation tell me to disconnect the battery....WHY?? Does it have anything to do with my PCM, or is the company just trying to cover their butts for the one idiot who kills himself doing this? Also, I have the Bose LUX stereo (Non navigation) what will happen when I disconnect the battery? Thanks in advance!!

[Ranger]

I don't think he's gonna reply to this as this is a modification question. However, my guess is it's more of a precautionary measure than anything. I know of a few people who have installed FIPKs without disconnecting the battery and they did not have any problems. I'd guess it's suggested because some vehicles may have more active circuit monitors and if it detects the MAF has been disconnected it might screw up. I'd just ask a couple buddies who have a 4x4 and intake kits if they disconnected their batteries, or ask a 4x4 shop.

[GM-Tech]

or is the company just trying to cover their butts for the one idiot who kills himself doing this?

 

Nah, I'll reply. I just passed this by first time around. I'd say the above is probably the right answer.

 

Nothing should happen to your radio other than you'll have to reset the clock. You probably won't even lose the presets if you're not too slow about it. These radios learn the VIN for their theftlock feature, so you no longer need to remember a code to unlock the radio after a battery disconnect. On very rare occasions, I have seen these radios lock after a battery disconnect in which case you'd have to get a dealer to get the radio to learn the VIN again.

[ManyCamaroz]

Kinda like the "WARNING: Disconnect battery before replacing air filter"

[Ranger]

Well, It's probably a cover-our-asses policy in case some idiot manages to electrocute himself with the battery hooked up. When I helped install my keyless entry kit, my buddy left the battery hooked up so we could test the wires and find out what's hot when the key is on and off, etc. I think as long as nothing electrical is being spliced into and has a potential for high-voltage, you'd be safe just leaving it hooked up.

 

I've had my battery disconnected for about 2 hours once and all it did was erase my presets and reset my clock, plus it seems to have reset my PCM but it relearned my driving habits pretty quick. But I have heard on another forum someone whose battery was disconnected all weekend at the dealership ended up with a locked radio and had to be unlocked by the service tech.

[skills4lou]

I always thought that was a pretty hokie thing to advise people to do. That is, up until I watched a friend burns his truck wiring up from dropping a wrench. The wrench happened to catch the hot wire from between alternator and battery. *POOF* instant wire insulation fire. And of course he was sitting on the intake at the time, with one leg on either side of the alternator. We got the fire out before it did any major damage, but he did have to put in a new wiring harness and throw the shorts he was wearing away.

Now, I disconnect the battery if I'm under the hood with anything metal (wrench, screwdriver etc).

That's my opinion, which is usually worth exactly what you paid for it.