FAQ: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Issues?

I was going to clean mine, but im not sure where it is.

In the top of the throttle body. You most likely will need a security torx bit to remove the screws.

1998 Riv wrote:

In the top of the throttle body. You most likely will need a security torx bit to remove the screws.

Thanks Dave, found it.

I'd be careful cleaning it, my dad tried to clean the MAF sensor on his Volvo 850 and it screwed it up and he had to buy another one. Nice $300 or so for one of those on his Volvo.

Shintsu wrote:

I'd be careful cleaning it, my dad tried to clean the MAF sensor on his Volvo 850 and it screwed it up and he had to buy another one. Nice $300 or so for one of those on his Volvo.

I checked around quite a bit , Cleaning is just spraying it down with contact cleaner. I read a number of posts on this forum, all were successfull at cleaning without damaging.Thanks for the heads-up though.

You can use sensor safe TB cleaner, MAF cleaner and I've heard of contact cleaner.

When you do clean it..make sure the car is cold. That way the wire in the maf is also cold and shouldn't break from shock.

BillBoost37 wrote:

You can use sensor safe TB cleaner, MAF cleaner and I've heard of contact cleaner.

When you do clean it..make sure the car is cold. That way the wire in the maf is also cold and shouldn't break from shock.

So you just take the cover off the sensor and spray it with the cleaner.

Bert:tavis:

[quote="ibmoses"]

BillBoost37 wrote:

So you just take the cover off the sensor and spray it with the cleaner.

Bert:tavis:

IIRC, the sensor pulls out with the cover removal, I THINK, only done it once a while back. Anyway, the sensor is removed from the TB before cleaning, not cleaned "in car". Don't be tempted to wipe anything, just spray it out thoroughly then let it dry before reinstalling.

BillBoost37 wrote:

You can use sensor safe TB cleaner, MAF cleaner and I've heard of contact cleaner.

When you do clean it..make sure the car is cold. That way the wire in the maf is also cold and shouldn't break from shock.

How would you know if it broke? What would the car do/ not do? Just curious, I may have not let it cool enough.Car is running good as far as I can tell.

It would run like shit. Our Volvo idled horribly and sounded bad. You could tell something was wrong with it. If you've got it running without any problems then you're fine.

And you can see the wire. Inspect after cleaning.

Shintsu wrote:

It would run like shit. Our Volvo idled horribly and sounded bad. You could tell something was wrong with it. If you've got it running without any problems then you're fine.

Sounds like i'm fine then , Thanks Shintsu!

I just went through this same thing with mine. I took it off and the MAF was flithy so i cleaned it, although it was carb cleaner but now the car is moving much better than before

rivwilly107 wrote:

Shintsu wrote:

It would run like shit. Our Volvo idled horribly and sounded bad. You could tell something was wrong with it. If you've got it running without any problems then you're fine.

Sounds like i'm fine then , Thanks Shintsu!

Clean it if you want to know it's working properly. I bought a set of 'security torx' bits at AZ, popped it out and sprayed it with Mass Airflow Cleaner (NOT Carb Cleaner!!), had it back together in about 10 minutes start to finish, about $12 total. They do get dirty.

Also, while it's out remove the MAF screen (C-clip) and clean out the throttle body with a strong rag and a stick, and some carb cleaner (I said while the MAF sensor is OUT). The throttle plates and right behind get globbed up with EGR crap. All this will help your car idle smoother etc. (don't spray your MAF sensor with carb cleaner)

^^^ I think I'll do this this weekend...

what do you guy's do with the MAS when you do that homemade FWI made with with pvc? I was looking for the pictures that were posted once but can't seem to find them.

Bill...you mean the IAT Sensor?

Is that what it is, Inlet air temp sensor? it 's on underside of OE air tube. I havent pulled anything apart yet but have seen applications with just a filter coming right off the throttle body and wondering what happens to that sensor?

When I installed my FWI, I used the Intense Flexible tubing so mounting my IAT had limited options...I drilled a 5/8" hole into the top of the fenderwell where the old stock air box used to be, so the sensor sits only 1/2" away from the filter, but still give an accurated temp reading inside the fenderwell.

Alot of guys here used PVC or Steel tubing are were able to mount their IAT's correctly (inside the tubing for a more accurate reading)

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/series-ii-engine-transmission-f4/what-are-cai-fwi-t29.htm

Derek, u said"(don't spray your MAF sensor with carb cleaner)"
Well I did just that before i read this. Now I'm gettin a p0102 code.
Dyu think I ruined it???
I unplugged the battery lastnight for about a hour and hooked it back up- checked the code today and i still have the code and a p0141 code now??? Are the two related?
btw i cleaned the MAF w/ MAF cleaner but i havent checked the code again

May have to run the car a few times to get rid of the code, even if the MAF is clean now.

Thanks AA.... Always appreciated

c-taylor-6 wrote:

Derek, u said"(don't spray your MAF sensor with carb cleaner)"
Well I did just that before i read this. Now I'm gettin a p0102 code.
Dyu think I ruined it???

Hard to tell. MAF sensors are supposed to stay dry.

If it works again after a couple of days, you got lucky.

aww shit and i cleaned mine with carb cleaner too... sounds like im going to be at the junkyard again soon

code not cleared yet. It looks like Im stuck with a MAF sensor bill... Will it be ok for a couple weeks till I can afford it? I dont want to screw anything else up by waiting and still drivin