Will a malfunctioning maf sensor cause hard starting?

 

Nope. If I'm not mistaken, there are cold and hot start tables preprogrammed into the PCM. It doesn't rely on MAF input to start the vehicle.

 

If your MAF is bad, it will throw a code...have you had your car scanned for error codes? I'd start there. You can unplug the MAF and the car will start and run in speed density mode. Why do you suspect the MAF?

 

I suspect the MAF because it sounds like it is gasping for air sometimes when I start it. It has been hard starting for about eight months now. Funny thing is when I go to start it in the morning some- times it cranks right up. I was also leaning towards a bad fuel pump relay or something like that. It hasn't let me down yet, except for the time my ignition coil went bad, but other than that it has started everytime, although it may take a few tries.

 

The MAF doesn't restrict air, it just measures the amount of air drawn into the motor. Are you due for a tune-up? How does it run once you have it started?