it was the AFM. since i disconnected the AFM harness, and when i plugged it back on and turned the car on, the AFM did not send back the right readings to the computer, so the check engine light came on. i did the gas pedal 5 times thing to get the code, and it did confirm the AFM to me. so i drove it, got it up to like 30 mph, so the flap went full open, and the check engine light went away. mystery solved. -chris chow, DBMWN2ZS