1997 Maxima SE,
I have a quick PR CAI intake question. In reference to step 10 in cheston's direction (www.maximadriver.com in the How 2 section - "Install A Cold Air Inake"), I have an extra tube that is not connected to anything.

Here is step 10

10) Reattach the vacuum holes to the CAI. On the 97-99 models there will be vacuum holes and a plug for the ambient temperature sensor. Reconnect the MAF plug as well.
Note that the large hose on the top of the CAI (to the right of the very small hose) does not plug straight in to the CAI. It is curved the wrong way when it mates with the stock air intake tract. The solution is very, very simple: rotate the hose 180 degrees, then you should only need to make one new bend for the hose to connect to the CAI!

Here is my problem, The little bottom left tube is not connected to anything, you know the one beside the one you didn’t have to turn 180 degrees. Where does that one go? The reason I am so paranoid is because my check engine light will not go off, I have reset the ECU but it just comes back on. I got the code, it was 0401. This code is supposed to be the following:

DTC 0401
Diagnostic Trouble Code 0401 points to a problem with the Intake Air Temperature Sensor. The IATS is mounted in the engine air intake duct, downstream of the air cleaner filter. It detects intake air temperature and transmits a signal to the Engine Control Module. The sensor uses a thermistor, a resistor with a value which is inversely proportional to temperature. The IATS is not directly used to control the engine. It is used only for diagnostic purposes. Therefore the engine should start and run normally, even with the Malfunction Indicator Light on and DTC 0401 stored.

This malfunction is detected when ...
a) An excessively low or high voltage from the sensor is detected by the ECM.
b) The signal from the IATS is inconsistent with the signal received from the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor.

Possible causes include ...
- Harness or connectors (The sensor circuit is open or shorted.)
- a faulty Intake Air Temperature Sensor

The IATS resistance values should be ...
- at 14 degrees F, 7.0-11.4 Kohms
- at 68 degrees F, 2.1-2.9 Kohms
- at 176 degrees F, 0.27-0.38 Kohms

For further information about the Intake Air Temperature Sensor please refer to the Chilton repair manual (page 4-16) or the Haynes repair manual (page 6-11).

In laymen’s terms, what does this mean and what do you guys think the problem is?

 

connect the sensor- thats wut the extra hose is for!! the installation on the 97+ is slightly different from the 95 & 96 so cheston's instructions arent 100% accurate for your application

 

Where????? A quote from chestor's page:

Car in question was a 1997 Nissan Maxima GXE 5-speed owned by Cheston Chiu, lowered and with an FSTB. Both of those notes may affect the pictures and may or may not affect your installation.


He says this is on a 97. That hose connected to the factory box (it even does on Chestor's directions, third picture) he just doesn't tell what to do with it have you put the Cold Air Intake on.

Look at the third picture on Chestor's directions, it is connected with a metal clamp, just like the bigger hose above it but he doesn't tell you what to do with that hose later on. I am confused. Am I hurting my car by running it without that hose connected? Please help!!!!!!!

 

I'll have to look at my car again, but if I remember correctly, I didn't have to attach that smaller hose to anything. At the end of my CAI install job, I had the boost sensor, that hose you are talking about, and another hose that attached to the engine block (which I removed altogether)hanging free. Make sure that MAF sensor plug is attached correctly...basically check every connection.

 

Thanks guys, I got it. I went back outside and looked at all my connection and the MAF was not ever connected all the way. I put the connection on, then reset the ECU and no more "Service Engine Soon" Light.Thanks again guys