This is an 88 with L98, been running fine untill just now. Started engine and it quit, restart and idles rough, then service engine light came on. Code 34, MAF too low. Monitored the MAF and it will read normal 2-3000 for a while, then it goes to 19K or so, then drops to 0, then back and forth. So, question is, is this an indication of the sensor going bad, maybe the power relay, or something else? After the engine ran for a few minutes it healed itself and is running fine, for now. Like to get some ideas, pretty sure the problem will come back, worse.

 

No help here? Anyone know a site that I can get this type info? Manual gives troubleshooting info but with this intermittent fault I'm needing someone with actual experience with this. Sure hate to just start replacing stuff.

 

Continue the diagnosis. Monitor the supply voltage to the MAF. Monitor the sctual output voltage from the sensor instead of the ECM interpretation. A MAF normally doesn't "heal" itself if th ehot wire is failing or cracked. I'm thinking that you may have a connection problem elsewhere. Apparently, the issue is not intermittent air leakage, since that would not probably cause the large spike in MAF reading, but merely a return to a normal reading.

 

Have some LEDs mounted under the steering column to monitor the actual voltage to the fans and fuel pump, thinking the same deal for voltage to this sensor for operation and burn off. Found a couple sites on the net that mention bad wires and connectors and I've seen plenty of that in the older GM cars/trucks. Camaro took a spell last night again, right on startup. I'll get it narrowed down. Am wondering if there are any electronics in the MAF sensor itself? Thanks for reply!

 

Yes there are, they are in the little box mounted to the bottom of the MAF tube.
Check the female pins for the MAF on the harness side, if they get spread out it causes all kinds of problems.

 

A common "low buck" way of checking for a bad MAF is to monitor the MAF readings while you lightly tap the MAF with a screwdriver handle. If the readings jump all around when you give it a tap, it's toast.