OK My MAF sensor went out on me this morning. The car would strart up but would die right away. As I was trying to trouble shoot the problem (Before I knew the MAF was bad) with my brother I was advancing/retarding timing, messing w/ TPS and etc. My brothe put his had over the MAF and the car startd and ran perfect. but once he pulled his hand away the car died. SO whats the deal? whay diditdo that. My theroy is that the MAF was dead so i wasnt telling the compter howmuch air was comin in so it would just give a little gas, but not enough to compesate for all the air coming in...Any Ideas I would gladly like to hear!

Oh and I slapped a different MAF on so it runs fine now... lol

 

I'd say you hit the nail right on the head with your answer. It makes complete sense that MAF was sending a low air flow signal and as soon as you took your hand off, too much air and starving for fuel.

 

in the ECM there is a sorta chart that the engine follows with either your MAF unhooked or a loss in air, it is what is known as the "limp home" mode, which means it gets your sorry azz home and to a shop(i have been there many times with my IROC), it basically guess how much air there should be and throws the fuel in, however this is bad, ruins the plugs, my mechanic says i have "charcoal briquettes" in my engine, thats what i get for unhooking my MAF

 

Limp home mode makes the baby jesus cry

 

:sillylol: :sillylol: :sillylol:
yeah and i am crying right along side the baby jesus like a baby!!