MAF Sensor Cleaning

[The_Burg]

MAF sensor is showing as being faulty, confirmed by power gain disconnecting it.
Seems to be it might be worth stripping and cleaning from some of the info available, (it's knackered any way so nothing to loose really).

Question is, the actual sensor seems to be retained by two torx screws, however most the details seem to show removing the whole housing, to my mind it looks easier to just remove the actual sensor itself rather than squirting cleaner into the housing.
Am i right or is there a reson for removing it with the plastic housing?

Thanks.

[GreenV8S]

Most of the hotwire/hot film AFMs are fantastically sensitive to surface contamination. If it's showing a fault it's probably a more serious internal problem, wiring fault etc which won't be fixed by cleaning the element. However, trying to clean the element will probably mean that even if you ever get it working again it will be hopelessly inaccurate.

[350matt]

You can try blasting some brake cleaner over it this usually cleans the muck off them a treat, DO NOT touch the element tho' with any cloth or fingers etc

As Pete says this will contaminate the sensor further and may damage it

And yes you usually remove the senor clip from teh housing for this, but blasting down through the AFM itself also works

Matt

[The_Burg]

Cleaned the sensor up with switch cleaner, as recommended on several sites, no difference whatsoever.
Cleaned all the plugs at the same time.
Looks like a replacement is required

[Mikey G]

Have you reset the ecu since cleaning it?

I have found a proper electronic solvent better as it leaves no residue.

[The_Burg]

Don't know how to reset it.
Used Maplin switch cleaner on it.

[The_Burg]

Light has now gone off.
Very low power at low rev, a little jump at 2k when the turbo spools up and another surge at around 4k.
Very odd. More petrol like than diesel.
Will have a blast down to the coast and see what happens. Hopefully will figure itself out.
Fingers firmly crossed.

[stylusboy]

What car? What Engine?

The MAF sensor may not be the original problem.

[Mikey G]

stylusboy said:

What car? What Engine?

Looks like a TDi VW

Burg, you need to find someone with VagCom diagnostics, you can see all whats going on as the engine is running as well as clearing the fault codes.

Normally disconecting the battery for a period will reset the ECU, followed by a swift drive for it to readapt.

Edited by Mikey G on Saturday 17th March 16:38

[The_Burg]

Car is Vx Astra 1.7 Dti 16v 2000 model.

[Mikey G]

The_Burg said:

Car is Vx Astra 1.7 Dti 16v 2000 model.

Then you need to update your profile

Same principle should apply though, except the VagCom as its a VW only package.

[The_Burg]

Car is not actually mine it's my girlfriends s profile is correct.
I should have specified.