Vararam check engine light

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Nito209

Junior Member
Joined
May 28, 2013
Posts
15
Reaction score
1
Location
California
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
Hey I just installed a brand new vararam CAI on my 2013 1500 purchased from MOES Performance, After going on a road trip the next day the check engine light came on. I disconnected the negative terminal for the battery for an hour before heading out for the CPU to get use to the new CAI. I did it again for another two hours when the check engine light came on.Has anyone else come up Witt This issue? I am going to reinstall the stock If this this still becomes an issue. I have a 14inch magnaflow muffler installed also and that is the only modds I have right now.
 

BlkRamRt

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2012
Posts
1,837
Reaction score
212
Location
SoCal
Ram Year
2012
Engine
HEMI 5.7
make sure the sensor is in the correct position. i think its called the AIT sensor.
 

Bully's Performance

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Posts
1,060
Reaction score
78
Ram Year
2012
Engine
hemi 5.7
As stated above make sure the sensor is in the right position, also make sure that your clamps on the hose for the throttle body are tight, have you checked what code you are getting with the check engine light on this may allow us to help you better.

Thanks
Jeremiah
 
Last edited:

03MopaRamman

RAM SPORT / 18 SRT
Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Posts
3,579
Reaction score
188
Location
Southern Alberta
Ram Year
2019 (2003 Forgottens SOLD and 2014 SOLD)
Engine
Hemi 5.7 (392 Hemi) 86 Ford .308 HO Roller
Yeah shouldn't get a CEL from a CAI install, x 2 above.
 

Designflaw

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2013
Posts
403
Reaction score
88
Location
Lex. Ky.
Ram Year
2013 CC Sport 4x4
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I've had mine on for a month no issues - The Sensor feel out a few times while installing it(I don't like how it mounts) So I just put a dap of sealant on it.
 

Casper

U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Posts
4,626
Reaction score
1,447
Location
Springfield, VA
Ram Year
2020
Engine
5.7L
You may have a vacuum leak or other unrelated emissions failure. Can't tell without the code. Its a pain to restore the stock intake only to find something more is going on. :mf_pcwhack:
 

Hemi450hp

Moe's Performance
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Posts
9,421
Reaction score
4,707
Location
Conroe, TX
Ram Year
2014 Ram 1500
Engine
Whipple Supercharged 422" Hemi
The code is most likely due to the IAT sensor being unplugged and then plugged back in. Just clear the code or reset your computer, and you should be good to go. There is nothing else related to the intake that would trigger any kind of engine light. Make sure the locking tab on the IAT sensor is facing up towards the filter tray and that it has a good connection to the wiring harness, and you should be good to go.
 

WilCon76

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2013
Posts
74
Reaction score
10
Location
MD
Ram Year
2013 Express 2WD
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I keep dealing with a CEL for a P0456 code as well. It has been the ESUM, Purge Solenoid and apparently something new this time. I also have the Vararam but I don't think that is the cause. I get the code without it on.
 

audio1der

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Posts
5,300
Reaction score
1,105
Location
Airdrie, Alberta
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
The code is most likely due to the IAT sensor being unplugged and then plugged back in. Just clear the code or reset your computer, and you should be good to go. There is nothing else related to the intake that would trigger any kind of engine light. Make sure the locking tab on the IAT sensor is facing up towards the filter tray and that it has a good connection to the wiring harness, and you should be good to go.

Sounds like he unplugged it during install and has cleared it since?
I would check wiring and air connctions then.
 
OP
OP
N

Nito209

Junior Member
Joined
May 28, 2013
Posts
15
Reaction score
1
Location
California
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
I cleared the code and It has not come back on. I just drove it in the city for now. I will take it for a trip on the freeway and hopefully the CEL doesn't come in.
 

Hemi450hp

Moe's Performance
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Posts
9,421
Reaction score
4,707
Location
Conroe, TX
Ram Year
2014 Ram 1500
Engine
Whipple Supercharged 422" Hemi
This is normal for most guys when installing an intake. Anytime I have unplugged an IAT sensor, I almost always have to either clear that code or reset the computer to turn it off. It wont hurt the truck if it is unplugged, but it will always throw that code on the first startup. That is a part of the reason why I recommend unplugging the negative battery terminal during the install. This automatically resets the computer so that the code doesn't pop up on the initial startup.
 

03MopaRamman

RAM SPORT / 18 SRT
Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Posts
3,579
Reaction score
188
Location
Southern Alberta
Ram Year
2019 (2003 Forgottens SOLD and 2014 SOLD)
Engine
Hemi 5.7 (392 Hemi) 86 Ford .308 HO Roller
I unplugged TB, Map Sensor, IAT over past 2 days of working on my truck and Luckily the Negative cable was not on the Battery! Matt you offer great follow-up advice to your customers and after sale support. I gotta say the 4th Gen Trucks are coming along nice as the Mods become more and more available and CAI is definately a good start. Happy the OP is good to go on to his next Mod.
 
OP
OP
N

Nito209

Junior Member
Joined
May 28, 2013
Posts
15
Reaction score
1
Location
California
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
Well it looks like the check engine light came back on. I decided to put back the stock intake and will see if the check engine light comes back on. I installed the vararam precisely as the instructions said. So I will keep this thread updated as I drive the truck with the stock intake.
 

Hemi450hp

Moe's Performance
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Posts
9,421
Reaction score
4,707
Location
Conroe, TX
Ram Year
2014 Ram 1500
Engine
Whipple Supercharged 422" Hemi
What is the code number that you are throwing? The only item related to the Vararam that could trigger a code is that IAT sensor. If it was damaged during the install, then it should trigger a code regardless of which intake system is installed on the truck. If it does not throw a code with the stock intake, then that means the IAT just was not installed properly in the Vararam coupler or it was just not getting a good connection with the wiring harness.
 
OP
OP
N

Nito209

Junior Member
Joined
May 28, 2013
Posts
15
Reaction score
1
Location
California
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
I will let you know if a check engine light goes on with the stock intake. I could not get a code because the dealership I bought the truck from is a couple hours away and just decided that I would put the stock intake back and see if the CEL pops up.
 
OP
OP
N

Nito209

Junior Member
Joined
May 28, 2013
Posts
15
Reaction score
1
Location
California
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
So I finally took the truck to pepboys to check the code for my check engine light. I got P0714 trans fluid temp sensor a clt intermittent. Does anyone know what this means? I have a service appointment tommorow with my dealership so I'm going to take it in and get it fixed.
 

Hemi450hp

Moe's Performance
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Posts
9,421
Reaction score
4,707
Location
Conroe, TX
Ram Year
2014 Ram 1500
Engine
Whipple Supercharged 422" Hemi
Glad to hear the intake wasn't causing the code. I have never heard of the tranny temp sensor going bad on these trucks, so it most likely is just a loose wire or the sensor just doesn't have a good connection.
 
OP
OP
N

Nito209

Junior Member
Joined
May 28, 2013
Posts
15
Reaction score
1
Location
California
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
Yeah I looked at the connection it looks well connected maybe its the sensor itself. Hopefully when I take it to the dealership they can further evaluate it and fix it. Man I've only had the truck for only 900 miles this sucks.
 

Staff online

Forum statistics

Threads
210,828
Posts
3,058,562
Members
170,669
Latest member
geneseedennis
Back
Top