Hi everyone , i know i hadnt posted here for a while now , but ill try to improve , k, but here's my problem , My ECM gave me a code for the MAF sensor a while ago , about a week ago , now when i tried checking it , its already gone , so is my MAF ok , or is it still screwed , and if it is , how do i check it , there are three wires , and i know there is suposed to be some kind of voltage there , but im not sure what voltage, and im not sure between which wires , so my question basically is , how can i check my MAF .
Thnx in advance

oh btw , i own an 88 MPFI V6 camaro 5spd. (if that helps)
Please Please Please somebody
HEELP ME
:hail:

 

The MAF might've just had an intermittant fault, a temporary glitch. If this glitch doestn't reoccur after a period of time, the computer will automatically clear the code from its memory.

As for testing: the 3 wires are power, signal, and ground.

The power is 5 volts, the signal varies between apx 0-5 volts (more like 1 to 4 in practice).

On the wiring harness plug into the sensor, you can check power and ground circuits with a multimeter. Turn the key on for this.

Testing the maf sensor itself is more tricky. But if you've got good power and ground in the wiring harness, and the computer says the Maf is FUBAR'ed, then it's a fairly safe bet the maf is at fault.

This is the basic help version that should get you on your way, if you need more detailed stuff, let us know.

 

K, thnx for the reply , i did check with a volometer how many volts of power im getting on each wire, one of them im getting 11.xx volts , and on another one im getting aprox 4.xx volts , but im pretty sure it should vary when i open the throttle, and it doesnt . so this is the stage where if u can , please tell me the more complex way of testing the MAF , and i do know a fair amount of electronics , so if theres a way i can test it , please tell me , thnx again for the reply
Andy

 

ACK!! I am so sorry, I've been writing about the wrong sensor! I saw MAF and read it as MAP! Manifold absolute *Pressure* instead of "mass air flow"!


Just to make sure, you are talking about the "Mass Air Flow" sensor, located in the air intake track. The thing with a plastic ring with wires running through the center, right?


Okay, your test results make more sense now. Unfortunately, I'm not too knowledgeable about all the workings of the MAF. But, the 11 volts I'm pretty sure is the "burn off" circuit that heats up the maf wire to clean it off. Now, this sensor would be more difficult to check in operation, other than verifying that the signal voltage is within limits. The voltage output varies according to how much air flows over the heated wire. What is happening is, the computer maintains the wire at a set temp, and reads how much voltage it takes to maintain this temp, and uses this to determine air flow.

Anyways, if you've got power and ground, then the basics are covered at least. If your maf craps out, it should be pretty obvious because your car will run really crappy or not at all.

But, since you haven't gotten the code again, I'd guess it was just a glitch, and don't worry about it.

Sorry again about the screw up; such is the danger in posting late at night when tired!

 

yeah, im talking about the MAF. so is there a way to testi t, and my cae does eun ceappy, but i want to make sure its the maf sensor , these things are friken expensive to just get one and see if it gets better
thnx for the reply anyway ,
Andy

 

cant anyone help ?

 

Well, besides using a scan tool, the only test I know of is the "tap test". Use the plastic handle of a screwdriver or something similar, and while the car is running, tap on the sensor (tap not slam )

If the engine changes speed, stumbles, or dies, then there's something wrong internally with the MAF.

If you don't know anyone with a scan tool, talk to an engineer with an oscilloscope, maybe he'll know how to rig it to the sensor to get a look at the voltage output curve. I'm just shootin' in the dark at this.

I can't believe that nobody else has jumped in on this topic yet; surely somebody here knows more about this.

 

well, i did the tap test , and nothing happened , the engine ran pretty crappy before the test , and ran the same crappy way during the tapping , nothing changed, but thnx for the advice anyhow.
If anyone else knows of a way i can test it , please tell me , im really trying to get this car to run right

 

btt!

 

Well, see what your local parts store's policy is for returns. If you can return anything with a recipt, even if its special order, than order a new MAF. Plug it in, see if it solves the problem. SAVE THE RECIPT!!! No change, just return it. If it works, good.
The only reason I suggest this is because It seems like your out of options, (besides taking it to GM and having them throw parts at your car, that gets expensive real fast!!) Labor is up to $72 an hour around here, and Gm charges an hour and a half for a thermostat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny, I can do it in under 10 mins...