Maf Low Resistance, sensor is new and clean

[alerored04]

Hey guys, my 01 alero has been throwing a maf code lately. I removed the maf and cleaned it, that did not help. I bought a new MAF that helped for about a week. The code is back and i cannot figure out what to look at next. I checked the wiring and the connectors, both are fine and clean. I had a CAI but switched it to a short ram after replacing the MAF since i thought that sucking up the road salt contributed to the failure of my first MAF. Could having the filter clamped right to the end of the sensor be causing the code? This thing is making me really angry since the maf is not working it is shifting and starting hard so this needs to be resolved. I feel like this is killing my tranny and i know it is killing my mileage. Any one have ideas?

[1meanz]

is it a k&n? if it is then its killing it, a k&n filter will kill a maf EVERY TIME. the oil is what does it

[alerored04]

it is a cheap apc filter. I am not sure if it is oiled or not. What brands of filters are not oiled? I may try an unoiled one and see if that does it. Would putting it back to cai make the oil have less impact on the maf? i have used this brand of filter before when it was full cai and did not have issues.

[IsaacHayes]

If the filter is up closer then if there is excess oil spray coming off the filter it would hit the MAF directly instead of hitting the intake tubing bends first.. Is this a new K&N or one re-oiled before?

You can try cleaning the MAF. Not sure what to use there but I would not touch it only spray stuff on it.. Try it with a spare or your bad one first...

[bszopi]

Its not a K&N, as stated in the post directly above yours... :P

[alerored04]

i will clean the maf with carb cleaner and move the filter back down into the fender and see if that does the trick.

[IsaacHayes]

Well does the APC use oil?

I'd use brake cleaner not carb cleaner. Some brands of carb cleaner leave a nasty gummy oily residue. I would also dry it really fast in case the cleaner wants to dissolve parts of the sensor!

[alerored04]

Will do. Thanks for the advice. Yesterday after checking my wiring connections on my maf harness extension and finding them fine i decided to re solder them anyway. Still not fixed.

[IanSzgatti]

make sure you have a good reference signal, usually 5v, and then see what voltage you have at idle, should be around 2.5v.... i think your gonna have to replace it anyways

[Hell_raiser]

would a bad maf cause no start? only the odd sputter?

[IanSzgatti]

would a bad maf cause no start? only the odd sputter?

either or, depends on which way out of range the sensor is. sometimes just tapping on the maf while the engines running will cause idle change... you pretty much need to replace it at that point (after determining the wiring is ok)

[alerored04]

mine turned out to be a broken wire in the maf harness that i missed during my first inspection.