Engine How do I know if my MAF sensor is screwed up??

How do I know if my MAF sensor is screwed up??

I get this feeling that I put too much oil on my air filter when I last cleaned it. I later read that this could damage my MAF sensor. How would I be able to tell? Are they expensive to replace? And what kind of damage to the engine does it cause?

Check engine light comes on. MAF has a low and high threshold. If the MAF reads either above or below these values, it'll spit out an error code (and default to a preset value). The ECU will then trigger the "check engine" light on your dash. I wouldn't worry unless you're seeing the check engine light.

Enigne has the possibility of running too rich or lean if MAF is damaged. Like I said above... not to worry unless if no error light have been tripped.

Pheww...
Thanks man.

But if your check engine light DOES come on, the MAF costs over $100 to replace. I've already replaced one. No amount of cleaning or anything could get that MAF clean. It kept registering the CEL again and again. Finally had to just buy a brand new one.

Even after spraying brake or carb cleaner on the wire (sensor) and then resetting the ECU (clearing the codes)? Electronics cleaner would probably be less detrimental to the plastics.

I tried electronics cleaner first. It really had no effect. No wonder though. That stuff evaporates as soon as it comes out. It's more like spraying air than real cleaner. So I decided to try out a carb cleaner. I reset the ECU again but the CEL came on after just a few minutes of driving. After a few more attempts with the carb cleaner, I gave up and bought a new MAF. I popped the new MAF in without even resetting the ECU. The CEL light was still on for about 2 or 3 drive cycles, then went away on its own. It hasn't come on in over 5 months now, andI cleaned my and reoiled my TRD cone filter from the CAI at the same time that I put in the new MAF.

Did you get the initial error from your CAI filter?

Well if I had reset the ECU right when I put in the new MAF sensor, I'm sure it never would have come on again. The only reason I chose not to reset the ECU was to ensure that it was a malfunctioning MAF that had caused the CEL to come on. And sure enough, after a few drive cycles, once the ECU no longer detected the MAF problem, the CEL went out on its own and hasn't been back since.

MAF sensor aint cheap for these cars.... my sis owns an 01and the MAF went at about 60,000 miles. luckily the part was the same so i swaped it out to my 03 and got a warranty job done at the local dealer...