Check Engine Light (air filter)

[Likesavinggas]

Hello, I own a 2007 Yaris and it's been a good car for these many years, just one repair last year to replace the water pump (bad bearing). It was still working fine when replaced (no check engine light). Recently I realized that the original engine air filter was still in place (for 18 years, ugh). So I bought a new filter and things seemed fine until the check engine light came on about a week later. This was the very first time the CE light had ever lit up. So after removing it and re-installing the filter again the CE light came on again (had to disconnect battery to deactivate the light, but it came back on again later). The error code indicated the light had something to do with the air filter system so I figured it must be the new filter?

Anyways, I put the old air filter back in place and deactivated the CE light again. If it does not light up in the next few days I'll assume the new filter is the cause. I'll return here to update soon and if the CE light does not come back on I'll go to the dealership to buy a real Toyota air filter and see what happens. Otherwise I have no complaints about my 2007 Yaris other than the old paint job looking bad now. Has anyone here had a similar air filter problem? Thanks