RE:MAF Sensor Question

[michael mars]

RE:MAF Sensor Question

My 1986 coupe has been nickel & dimeing me to death.
and I use that term cheaply.
Most recent problem is the MAF sensor.
Car will not run with sensor connected.
Car will run fine without it.
Question: How long can i get away from not having to buy a new one. And do I really need it?
These puppies are not cheap!
Anyone know of a parts outlet that have these things?
Mike in Illinois.

 

[Edmond]

There is a MAF testing tool that will read the voltage of the unit. I think the tool is less than $20 and I think it hooks up to a volt meter. I used one last fall so my memory is kind of fuzzy.

Is the unit dirty?

Does it not run at all?

Are you getting a SES?

 

[michael mars]

MAF Sensor

Car starts & dies with sensor connected.
I would say that it was clean. took it off and looked inside.
can't see any broken wires. sprayed the plug connector with contact cleaner.. did no good.
leave it un-connected and it runs!
can this thing be checked out at some auto parts place?

 

[Edmond]

I know that Murrays has a tool loaner program, Auto Zone may have that as well. It's just a little converter device you hook up to the volt meter and MAF. Not sure if they have that part but I would think that it's quite a common electrical diagnostic tool.

 

[trrgod]

I had the same problem on my 89. The car will run in the "limp home" mode if you disconnect the MAF but the MAF is problbly shot. You can buy one on the net or get an aftermarket one from a corvette catalogue. I have the one that you will find in Mid America Motorworks catalogue page c4-28 titled "Heavy Duty High Performance MAF Sensor" $229.99. I have had it for a couple of years and it works fine. The interior wire is much heavyer that stock and not as tempermental.

 

[caninelver]

Michael, I have an 88 and I just had the same problem of trying to find a reasonably priced MAF. My mechanic wanted $500 for one, he said it would be the same kind as the factory one. I went to Advance Auto and showed them the old one. They ordered me a re-manufactured one for $160.00 It is identical to the old one which was a Bosch. I think if you drive without the MAF your computor sets the air-gas mixture on rich.

 

[michael mars]

Thanks for the info. $160 sounds pretty good.
I do believe this one is a Bosch too.
I had better do something soon so something else can break.
PS.
I have one of those dogs. His name is Harley. He's 12.5 years old.
How much longer will I have to suffer with the dog hair?

 

[caninelver]

You just think you have dog hair. I got dog hair! German Shepherds don't seem to live as long now as they did before everybody started feeding commercial dog food to their animals. 12 to 14 seems to the norm for large breed dogs now.

Good luck with the car.