[IcantDo55]

This Tech Article will outline the tools and steps necessary to properly clean the Mass Air Flow Sensor on late model Ford products (ie: CV/GM/TC). A dirty MAF element will cause idle and pinging issues. Its easy and cheep to clean it. Most problems are from "oiled" element air filters. More oil is not better on an air filter.

Tools: One can of “Electrical Contact Cleaner” (do NOT substitute brake cleaner or carburator cleaner), and a #20 “Tamper-proof TROX” bit and/or driver.

Follow these steps carefully:

-Locate the MAF assembly, it is attached to the upper air cleaner box on the driver’s side.
-Disconnect the electrical connector completely, and place it aside
-Using the “TORX” driver, remove the two (2) screws that retain the sensor element in the body
-CAREFULLY pull the sensor element STRAIGHT up and out of the body
-Carefully inspect the sensor to verify that there are two (2) “cross wires” running from one terminal to the other (about 1/2” long), if either are missing, damaged, bent, or broken, the MAF assembly MUST be replaced as a unit.
-Clean off any deposits, junk, or oil from the sensor terminals on the post using the “electrical contact cleaner”. Not the electrical connector area!
-Allow to dry completely
-Carefully insert sensor element into body and secure with screws you removed earlier
-Re-attach the electrical connector
-Start the engine, and ensure everything operates normally, road test for performance.

Congratulations, you just saved yourself over $200 of a new MAF installed at the dealer!

I perform this simple trouble saving service each spring, time well spent.

[Bossman351]

Good post!!! I totaly ruined the one on my IROC by using carb cleaner. That was before I knew better. Trial and error I suppose. cost me 120 bux plus a core.

[Bill]

since your removing the maf and unplugging it shouldnt you disconect the neg. battery cable first before you diconect anything electrical.

[Bossman351]

MAF shouldnt have any current as long as the key is off.

[IcantDo55]

Haus, you really got a thing for negitive battery cables, don't you? LOL! Is there a car fire in the past you did not tell us about?

[Bill]

oh i love neg. battery cables. nah i just was always told to disconect the cables. better safe than sorry.

[Bossman351]

This is not meant as an insult or a cut down but once you learn your way around under the hood and make yourself at home there, You will know what keeps power and what doesnt, I can only think of 3 things offhand that I would disconnect the battery for, Starter, starter solenoid and alternator. These are the only three things I can think of that have a direct connection to the battery.

[Bill]

oh i understand what you mean and none taken but i know people that were working under there dash and crossed a wire and the air bag deployed. so i rather be safe than sorry. and i wasnt talking about just under the hood either. but i understand now that some stuff under the hood wont have any current if the car is off.

[mdvaldosta]

Also, if your going to be unplugging anything computer related, ecu etc. then its a good idea to unplug it. Also if your doing any performance mods then you'll want to unplug it as well... since the ecu will re-learn itself for whatever you've done.


Oh, yea IcantDo55 if you can get some pictures to go with your articles (get em yourself or find some online) I'll publish them to the home page. Great stuff.

[All4n]

What happens if you spray the connector area?

[IcantDo55]

Originally Posted by All4n What happens if you spray the connector area?

Let it dry