I ran the car with the MAF sensor unplugged and wow, no more rough idle/stumbling/shaking. It ran so smooth....later I'm going to take the MAF sensor off and clean it. Should I just take it off and clean it out with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol? What's the best way to clean it?

TIA
Matt

 

that is the best way to clean it, or get some electrical cleaner stuff.

Matt

 

by unhooking your MAF, you sent the computer into "limp mode" . It is running off of speed density now and using a base map pre determined by the factory that will run rich, but smooth. Now you just covered up some other potential problems, like O2 sensors, etc.

 

by unhooking the MAF sensor, the computer went into speed density mode.. not limp mode. I have never seen a shred of evidence to prove limp mode even exists.

Speed density is basically a more complicated way to determine air flow by using combined information from several sensors like the MAP, IAT, ext. worked in to technical formulas.... this opposed to the MAF sensor which measures the air flow directly.

You should not run particularly lean or rich using either SD or MAF...

Instead of covering up potential problems... he actually uncovered a possible MAF sensor malfunction. You still use the O2 sensors in SD mode because the car will still go into closed loop just as before.

 

Thats not what my scanner says.. My fuel trim improved and run almost perfect, give or take 1 or 2 numbers from 128.00 My Integrators move around 128 too and my oxygen sensor readings go full swing faster and with a wider range than before. My knocking and pinging disapear and I gained all this horse power back.

I still havent found any air leak after my MAF so chances are my MAF is not measuring the right amount of air. I am still looking for possible air leaks though.

Marvin

 

Do your cooling fans come on when the computer throws a code after unplugging the MAF? If you have the car running, and you unplug the MAF sensor, is it supposed to die?

 

yes both fans come on.