I have an '87 350 tpi and it was siting for a while when I was away. It still starts just fine, and now I'm finally in the position to put some love into this thing. It runs fairly smooth considering it's neglected state.
Anyways, the problem is that I can't get the check engine light to go off. It is coming back with a code 33 which is either the MAF or the MAP sensor. Since my car doesn't have a MAP and my MAF is fairly new, I'm trying to get some more input of whether or not I should replace it again considering that its not a cheap part. When I had to replace it before it was obvious that the engine had problems and when I changed the MAF sensor it started to run as smooth as ever again. This time, there aren't any problems with how it is running and I just replaced the MAF power relay hoping that would solve the code but after reseting my computer is came back with the same code 33. Could the MAF sensor be bad without showing any signs of being such? Are there more components involved in the mass air flow system that I could check first? Any help or advice is appreciated. Thank you.

 

Have you noticed any problems accelerating on the highway or the car stalling while at idle? disconnect the battery to erase the stored codes, take MAF off, cleaning it with the right cleaner. Put everything back together again, hit the highway, see how quickly the check engine light comes on, if it does, your sensor is probably mad, I order a re manufactured one for 75 bucks last year, a bit of a dent in the pocket but not that bad all things considered.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will try that and see how it goes. I haven't been driving it much though because I'm trying to get it smogged. I need to get that check engine light off first. I have reset the battery and the light comes on right away. I don't have to drive anywhere. The last MAF I bought was about a $100 for a re-man. I just don't want to buy it and find out that it wasn't the problem because I can't just take it back after I install it and run the motor.

 

Oh, and it doesn't stall at all while idling and it runs smooth while moving as well. That is what was happening when the MAF went bad last time though.