Service Engine Light After Stereo Install

csmith5888 · 05-01-2013, 07:59 PM

So after about 2 days of searching i only came up with one hit regarding my issue and it was in the airbag light reset sequence thread. Someone posted they had an engine light but there was no response how to fix or reasons why.

On to the issue...2 weeks ago i installed my Pioneer Double din head unit using the factory face plate. Not that it makes much of a difference but i also ran a pioneer backup camera through the trunk and a sirius/xm antenna.

After completing the install i had the air bag light issue and ran the diagnostic mode sequence and finally got the air bag light to turn off.

After i got the airbag light to turn off and thought i was in the clear, i noticed that my SES light was on....I thought after a week or 2 the ECU would possibly re-learn itself but this is obviously not the case.

I have NOT tried taking the negative battery cable off yet or have NOT scanned for any codes because the car is literally brand new. I got it 3 weeks ago and it have like 400 miles on it so there shouldnt be any major issues (or at least i would hope so).

Anyone have any insight on this issue??? Anything is greatly appreciated. Worst case i hope to go to autzone and get a scan this weekend.

Thanks in advance.

dezion · 05-01-2013, 08:21 PM

Mr Smith, you need to do a SES reset.

What I've learned is that you need to remove the negative battery cable before working on your audio install. ALWAYS.

While installing my audio, I had no issues with warning lights until I kept removing the neg terminal over and over to play around with my sub in different places. Then my SES light came on.

I took the negative cable off one night ...... went to sleep ..... woke up in the morning ...... reattached and started the car. !!@@BAMN@@!! No more SES indicated!! I believe that your car's brain (the ECU) resets itself over a certain period of time. I'm sure if it's minutes or hours for the rest to take effect. I read the overnight trick here on a previous thread.

Now I will say this ....... and please read carefully, once you unhook you negative terminal ....... you power windows will not work properly and the auto up and down will not act right.

To reset the windows ........(after attaching terminal to battery) start the car ......... press AND HOLD the window switch in the down position for several seconds. You'll hear and "possibly" feel a faint click. That click is the reset. If your auto up still doesnt go up, try to hold the switch in the up position as well. It may take a few tries of up and down with the window switch, but eventually It WILL WORK FINE!! There's many other treads on the forum here all explaining what I just said if yo need another opinion on this.

Good luck my man.

csmith5888 · 05-01-2013, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the replay, dezion.

I have to tell you i always remove the negative terminal when i install anything and this was no exception.

HOWEVER, i did reconnect it just to test everything before completely re-assembling the dash to find out that my headunit wasn't working properly and needed to take it all apart again...

Thinking back on this, i think i forgot to plug in the AC control switch at first and installed it after my battery was reconnected. My bet is this is where i F'd up and caused the SES..

Anyways, im waiting for my backup camera license plate light mount to be delivered so ill take off the negative terminal when i do that and reconnect it properly when i finish. Ill let you know how that goes. Thanks again!!

dezion · 05-01-2013, 08:47 PM

Yep - I'm pretty sure that's where your F'up was!! And you figured it out now yourself. Your car is too new to have something wrong. I bet you a few hours rest with no terminal neg on will fix it ......... just remember to have everything that needs to be plugged in or hooked up, together before reattaching your battery, or it will happen again.

Glad to help out and much thanks for this forum as everyone here helps one another!!

csmith5888 · 05-01-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezion

Yep - I'm pretty sure that's where your F'up was!! And you figured it out now yourself. Your car is too new to have something wrong. I bet you a few hours rest with no terminal neg on will fix it ......... just remember to have everything that needs to be plugged in or hooked up, together before reattaching your battery, or it will happen again.

Glad to help out and much thanks for this forum as everyone here helps one another!!

Yuppppp....i remember now i installed everything, turned my car on and tried to turn my ac off and it wouldnt do anything. So i was able to pop off the shifter cover and sneak my hand under the dash and plug in the ac controls without removing the dash. Gotta be it... Thanks again boss. Will fix it hopefully this weekend if i get this part.

bigaudiofanat · 05-01-2013, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith5888

Thanks for the replay, dezion.

I have to tell you i always remove the negative terminal when i install anything and this was no exception.

HOWEVER, i did reconnect it just to test everything before completely re-assembling the dash to find out that my headunit wasn't working properly and needed to take it all apart again...

Thinking back on this, i think i forgot to plug in the AC control switch at first and installed it after my battery was reconnected. My bet is this is where i F'd up and caused the SES..

Anyways, im waiting for my backup camera license plate light mount to be delivered so ill take off the negative terminal when i do that and reconnect it properly when i finish. Ill let you know how that goes. Thanks again!!

That is where you mistake was, you have to make sure everything is connected when you fire up the head unit including climate controls as well as the passenger air bag light.

05-01-2013, 07:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
csmith5888 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 15 Drives: 13 Nissan 370Z GM M6 Rep Power: 12	Service Engine Light After Stereo Install So after about 2 days of searching i only came up with one hit regarding my issue and it was in the airbag light reset sequence thread. Someone posted they had an engine light but there was no response how to fix or reasons why. On to the issue...2 weeks ago i installed my Pioneer Double din head unit using the factory face plate. Not that it makes much of a difference but i also ran a pioneer backup camera through the trunk and a sirius/xm antenna. After completing the install i had the air bag light issue and ran the diagnostic mode sequence and finally got the air bag light to turn off. After i got the airbag light to turn off and thought i was in the clear, i noticed that my SES light was on....I thought after a week or 2 the ECU would possibly re-learn itself but this is obviously not the case. I have NOT tried taking the negative battery cable off yet or have NOT scanned for any codes because the car is literally brand new. I got it 3 weeks ago and it have like 400 miles on it so there shouldnt be any major issues (or at least i would hope so). Anyone have any insight on this issue??? Anything is greatly appreciated. Worst case i hope to go to autzone and get a scan this weekend. Thanks in advance.

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05-01-2013, 08:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
dezion Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 48 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z PG M6 Rep Power: 12	Mr Smith, you need to do a SES reset. What I've learned is that you need to remove the negative battery cable before working on your audio install. ALWAYS. While installing my audio, I had no issues with warning lights until I kept removing the neg terminal over and over to play around with my sub in different places. Then my SES light came on. I took the negative cable off one night ...... went to sleep ..... woke up in the morning ...... reattached and started the car. !!@@BAMN@@!! No more SES indicated!! I believe that your car's brain (the ECU) resets itself over a certain period of time. I'm sure if it's minutes or hours for the rest to take effect. I read the overnight trick here on a previous thread. Now I will say this ....... and please read carefully, once you unhook you negative terminal ....... you power windows will not work properly and the auto up and down will not act right. To reset the windows ........(after attaching terminal to battery) start the car ......... press AND HOLD the window switch in the down position for several seconds. You'll hear and "possibly" feel a faint click. That click is the reset. If your auto up still doesnt go up, try to hold the switch in the up position as well. It may take a few tries of up and down with the window switch, but eventually It WILL WORK FINE!! There's many other treads on the forum here all explaining what I just said if yo need another opinion on this. Good luck my man.

05-01-2013, 08:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
csmith5888 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 15 Drives: 13 Nissan 370Z GM M6 Rep Power: 12	Thanks for the replay, dezion. I have to tell you i always remove the negative terminal when i install anything and this was no exception. HOWEVER, i did reconnect it just to test everything before completely re-assembling the dash to find out that my headunit wasn't working properly and needed to take it all apart again... Thinking back on this, i think i forgot to plug in the AC control switch at first and installed it after my battery was reconnected. My bet is this is where i F'd up and caused the SES.. Anyways, im waiting for my backup camera license plate light mount to be delivered so ill take off the negative terminal when i do that and reconnect it properly when i finish. Ill let you know how that goes. Thanks again!!

05-01-2013, 08:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
dezion Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 48 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z PG M6 Rep Power: 12	Yep - I'm pretty sure that's where your F'up was!! And you figured it out now yourself. Your car is too new to have something wrong. I bet you a few hours rest with no terminal neg on will fix it ......... just remember to have everything that needs to be plugged in or hooked up, together before reattaching your battery, or it will happen again. Glad to help out and much thanks for this forum as everyone here helps one another!!