Mass Air Sensor Problem and Question?

Question

Hello-

I have a 2002 Mustang GT w/ 50,000 miles on it--About a week ago the "service engine soon" light came on and I took it into the dealship and they said that the oil from my K&N filter had leaked onto my mass air sensor and killed it so I would need to replace the sensor as well as buy a new filter if I didnt want it to happen again. They wanted to charge me an arm and a leg to do it so instead I went and bought the parts and had a mechanic friend of mine do it for much cheaper. The only problem is after the new parts have been installed the car is still running horibbly (idleing and running really rough and swaying back and forth like a boat on water when its idleing. This is the same thing it was doing before the parts were replaced.) So now Im wondering what could be wrong with it. I replaced the parts they said to replace and the car is still running horrible. My mechanic friend is not sure of the cause, anyone have any ideas what could still be wrong?

Thanks so much.

As far as I know he only replaced the parts, didnt do anything to the computer. If the case is the computer needs to be reset, how would you reset the computer?

I already took it to the ford dealership and they hooked it up to their diagnostic machine and they told me it was the Mass air flow sensor that went out.

Answer 1

I would try what the first poster suggested and reset the computer. All you have to do is disconnect the battery for about 15 minutes.

But, if your friend damaged the MAS sensor when he installed it, you might need another one. They're easy to damage if you're not careful.

If that's not the problem, then it could be your IAC (idle air control).
If the engine smooths out when you rev it up, I would suspect it's the IAC. The MAS would give you problems at any RPM.

But if your engine light comes on, then it's easy for a dealer to find the problem. They just hook it up to a computer that reads the code your car is putting out.

Answer 2

Disconnect the MAF sensor and start the vehicle. Does the car run better? If yes, then I would look at the MAF sensor being damaged. Also, I would check to see if you have a vacuum leak. You could have unmetered air entering the engine. This will result in a check engine light on and a bank 1 and bank 2 lean code.

If the car doesn't operate any different, I would say you have a problem somewhere else.

Answer 3

The MAF sensor is so smooth that they many times fail after attempting to sparkling the sensor cord. No broking service I ever labored at might want to be dumb sufficient to point attempting to sparkling a MAF sensor, that is purely placing your self up for a comeback and mad shopper. change into your automobile throwing codes for a nasty MAF sensor or any 02 sensor codes for a lean gas blend? If no longer i might want to ask your self why it needs replacing. For $six hundred funds they attempt to promote you the entire MAF unit, no longer purely the sensor itself. The MAF sensor is held in with some screws and pulls out actual. you may want to favor to spend $10 on a particular anti tamper torque bit to eliminate the screws. at cases a small vice grip pliers will artwork.some MAF sensors promote for as low as $one hundred funds and set up in minutes.

Answer 4

I have heard this before about the oil getting in the fine wires in the mass air flow I have been told that you can spray the carb cleaner on the wires in the mass air but do not touch them this should take the oil off. the service writer is right you may have to have the dealer clear the codes

Answer 5

one thing the Dealership does that your mechanic freind does'ent is clear the computors code, so it does not try to compensate for the bad part - the parts been changed but your computor doesnt know it... Its also possible the part you purchased is bad right out of the box - this does happen more often then anyone really wants...

ps DO NOT SPRAY CARB CLEANER IN THE INTAKE unless you want to replace your O2 sensor and another mass air flow

Answer 6

Did he reset the computer when he replaced the parts? If not, the computer would still be trying to go by the old parameters of that screwed up MAF.

Answer 7

it sounds like youre idle air control motor. unplug it if the problem goes away replace it. clearing the codes will do nothing. the computer does not have a memory of the old mas. and disconecting the battery will not do anything but mess up your radio.

Answer 8

Sounds like it has a major miss. Spray some carb cleaner or starter fluid into the intake. If it clears up, then you may have bad injectors or need a fuel filter. If it still sputters, you probably have a bad spark plug wire or bad plug. Good luck.