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MAF sensor gone bad?

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Old 11-10-2013, 12:37 AM
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MAF sensor gone bad?

Recently I was replaced my air filters, unplugged the MAF sensor as I poked around under the hood, and forgot to plug it back in. I drove the car for a while that day and when I looked, I noticed that the wire had been rubbing against the belts and wore away some insulation. I then got a new MAF sensor connector and replaced it, making sure the wires matched up. Reconnected the sensor and now my car stalls and blows my 30amp fuse. When I disconnect the MAF sensor it starts and idles okay though. Is my sensor bad?
Also, I replaced the MAF power and burnoff relays, but I might have goofed on one thing. The burnoff relay has two identical orange wires, and I think there's a chance I accidentally swapped the two wires when I wired the new MAF burnoff relay connector. Could this be a problem also? Help!
Old 11-10-2013, 01:26 AM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Originally Posted by amscova
Reconnected the sensor and now my car stalls and blows my 30amp fuse.
Which 30A fuse ?
If you are blowing a fuse then you have a direct short to ground somewhere .
Need to disconnect everything connected to that fuse and reconnect things until the fuse blows again to identify where the problem is

Originally Posted by amscova
Is my sensor bad?
Pulled the codes to see if anything showing?

Originally Posted by amscova
The burnoff relay has two identical orange wires, and I think there's a chance I accidentally swapped the two wires when I wired the new MAF burnoff relay connector.
Makes no difference ; both are 12V from the battery.

See
http://92b4crs.tripod.com/86wiring/dia-pics/22-5.jpg
Old 11-10-2013, 02:15 AM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

I have an in-line fuel pump fuse by the battery, which blows when I start the car with MAF sensor connected. I replaced the fuse and tried with it unplugged and it didn't stall out. When it's connected and I do it, it turns over then kills out and pops the fuse. I haven't tested anything else yet, the wiring looked fine, I'm not sure where it could be grounding anywhere else. Glad the relay wire isn't a worry then though.
Old 11-10-2013, 05:25 AM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Originally Posted by amscova
I have an in-line fuel pump fuse by the battery, which blows when I start the car with MAF sensor connected. I replaced the fuse and tried with it unplugged and it didn't stall out. When it's connected and I do it, it turns over then kills out and pops the fuse.
Would point to a fault at the MAF.
http://92b4crs.tripod.com/86wiring/dia-pics/22-5.jpg
Should only be a 20A fuse

Pull the codes
Old 11-10-2013, 06:53 AM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

You may have a shorted MAF, but it sounds more likely that you accidentally wired it wrong. Here's a link to wiring diagrams that may help.
http://www.austinthirdgen.org/?pid=19
Old 11-10-2013, 07:23 AM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Originally Posted by 84Z28HO50
Here's a link to wiring diagrams that may help.
Just like the MAF circuit link I posted for him above
Old 11-10-2013, 12:23 PM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Okay I put in a 20a fuse instead of 30, with MAF it popped as soon as I turned the key. MAF with a 30a lasted until it started and died. The 20a works when the MAF is unplugged and starts. I'm thinking it could be the sensor, unless a relay went bad instead, shorting it out? I might have an old junk burnoff relay to test it with. Am I far off?
Old 11-10-2013, 12:59 PM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Look inside the MAF are there 3 hair thin wires ? if they burned off may be shorting it out.
Old 11-10-2013, 01:40 PM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Originally Posted by Jersey89GTA
Look inside the MAF are there 3 hair thin wires ? if they burned off may be shorting it out.
I did take a quick look and I noticed the little wires you're talking about, if they were good or not, I'm not one to know. I could post a picture maybe.
I also tried swapping my MAF burnoff relay with an old one, and it died. Put the new one back and then swapped the MAF power relay with an old one. It started just like it did when I had only disconnect the MAF sensor. My guess is, the MAF power relay is bad, or the sensor is. And the relay is almost brand new. At this point is it safe to call it a bad sensor?
Old 11-10-2013, 03:54 PM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Originally Posted by amscova
I'm thinking it could be the sensor, unless a relay went bad instead, shorting it out?
I might have an old junk burnoff relay to test it with. Am I far off?
Try it with the MAF connected and one relay at a time disconnected

Originally Posted by amscova
Okay I put in a 20a fuse instead of 30, with MAF it popped as soon as I turned the key.
Obviously it would but 20A is what that circuit is rated at
Old 11-12-2013, 05:45 AM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Originally Posted by vetteoz
Try it with the MAF connected and one relay at a time disconnected

Obviously it would but 20A is what that circuit is rated at
I disconnected the MAF relay and the car started fine and idled alright. I think this is the culprit. I guess even new parts go bad. But to be sure I'm gonna test the wires today. If the relay is okay I'll check the sensor too. But let's hope that's not the case. I don't wanna drop $200 for another sensor.
Old 11-13-2013, 08:30 PM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Just went thru the same thing, I blew $55 on relays too thinking MAF couldn't have gone bad, its only 14 months old ... NAPA warrants them for 12 months, to add more salt in the wound, price went up $50, now $199.
Old 02-08-2014, 03:36 PM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Hello

I thought my tps was bad so I changed it and still same problem... my tach goes up to 3 gs when I first start it then goes to 800 when it get warm..
I have read a lot of post on maf ..I need help with this one guys..

I un hooked the maf and my car will not start... hook it up it starts..
I did a cleaning with the maf cleaner seemed good for a day. then back to the same problem...
Not sure what up...... while at a stop light the tach goes up to 3 gs and stays till I hit the gas pedal then drops below 500.....
So is the maf bad ...

any help would be GREATFULL.................................
Old 02-13-2014, 01:39 PM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

Old 02-24-2014, 11:43 AM
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Re: MAF sensor gone bad?

I had or have ( I don't know if it's changed any) a maf problem. I am thinking it's either the relays or a loose connection somewhere. My codes were ( before I hibernated her) 34 and 36. 36 was there for the longest time even after i got a new ECM, so it's a hard code. Could it be a loose connector at the maf, or should I focus on the relays. And btw I did the troubleshoot in the FSM which is what told me the ECM wasn't grounding burn off. Oh and I forgot to add 34 came on rather sudden. The car runs pretty good, but the light is buggin me.
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