MAF sensor test?

JeffKeryk

JeffKeryk

Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
19,072
Location
Los Gatos, CA
My friend's son called and his wife's 2018 Traverse (87K) threq a ton of trouble codes arounf the MAF sensor.
Cole says vehicle runs fine... He is gonna come by.
I was gonna try cleaning it and clearing the codes and go from there.
I thought these sensors should last a long time. I guess a new one is $100, plus or minus...

Is there a check that can do? Is there a brand you might recommend? Thanks in advance!
 
Cleaning it is the best start. Thats often the issue. I presume you already know to use only MAF cleaner and don't touch the wire.

Keep a note of the codes - High, Low, Inermittant, out of range. There are several different ones, and it can help you later if the problem comes back.

OEM is the safest. However if it tells you what brand its usually OK to buy the same brand aftermarket - for example all my Nissan sensors are Hitachi or Denso - and general consensus in the Nissan world is if you buy the appropriate branded equivalent - your getting the same sensor Nissan sells. Not sure with GM though.
 
You can tap on it while having an oscilloscope attached to it. The other method is to unhook it from the network and see if drivability improves. Computer will go into open loop and run the engine off of preset open loop parameters just like it does when the engine is cold.
 
I can only speak from my experience on a beat up Ford Escort that was 20 years old. The dirty MAF sensor makes it misfire during wide open throttle and throw a CEL. It worked fine when I was just crusing at low throttle. This went away after I used rubbing alcohol and Q tip to clean the wire on the MAF.
 
PandaBear said:
I can only speak from my experience on a beat up Ford Escort that was 20 years old. The dirty MAF sensor makes it misfire during wide open throttle and throw a CEL. It worked fine when I was just crusing at low throttle. This went away after I used rubbing alcohol and Q tip to clean the wire on the MAF.
Click to expand...
That's kinda my dilemma. If it were 20 years old or a bazillion miles I could understand it. Hopefully Cole will bring it over soon and I can take a look. I have a can of MAF spray cleaner.
 
JeffKeryk said:
That's kinda my dilemma. If it were 20 years old or a bazillion miles I could understand it. Hopefully Cole will bring it over soon and I can take a look. I have a can of MAF spray cleaner.
Click to expand...
The little wire can break. It can certainly happen on a few year-old vehicle. It’s not common, but it’s not unheard of. The other thing that can go is the temperature sensor that’s directly in the MAF sensor. If you have a scanner that will read live data probably good idea to start by checking the output stream on it first to see if it’s working at all.
 
SC Maintenance said:
The little wire can break. It can certainly happen on a few year-old vehicle. It’s not common, but it’s not unheard of. The other thing that can go is the temperature sensor that’s directly in the MAF sensor. If you have a scanner that will read live data probably good idea to start by checking the output stream on it first to see if it’s working at all.
Click to expand...
Probably above my paygrade, but thanks SC.
 
Soft Cars said:
You can tap on it while having an oscilloscope attached to it. The other method is to unhook it from the network and see if drivability improves. Computer will go into open loop and run the engine off of preset open loop parameters just like it does when the engine is cold.
Click to expand...
YES! This is my 1st diagnostic step regarding diagnostics regarding the MAF and rough running situations. It quickly rules out the MAF as good or bad in addition to my scan tool data. One correction - the car doesn't go into open loop it actually reverts to the MAP sensor as the backup. It will still go closed loop.
 
Going a little off the rails here - the Safari had a DTC that was MAF related; IIRC, signal voltage or similar. It did have a driveabilty symptom; at freeway speeds the engine would sometime act like the key was shut off and then quickly turned back on. Kind of a buck or two.

Turns out it was a dirty air filter ::weird::

At least, it never occurred again after I changed the filter.
 
JeffKeryk said:
My friend's son called and his wife's 2018 Traverse (87K) threq a ton of trouble codes arounf the MAF sensor.
Cole says vehicle runs fine... He is gonna come by.
I was gonna try cleaning it and clearing the codes and go from there.
I thought these sensors should last a long time. I guess a new one is $100, plus or minus...

Is there a check that can do? Is there a brand you might recommend? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
These are not easy to test without a scope or slightly advanced scan tool with graphing feature. With a lesser tool you should be able to see the maf values move, goes up with rpm but these only vary a little eg 2-4 on some cars. Cleaning is hit and miss, you can get an OE for $60 or a Hitachi for $40 from Rock, the Hitachi is good and the OE may be an Hitachi. Check the obvious first like leaking intake plumbing or vacuum leaks, post the codes.

2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2.0L L4 Turbocharged Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.
www.rockauto.com
 
Trav said:
These are not easy to test without a scope or slightly advanced scan tool with graphing feature. With a lesser tool you should be able to see the maf values move, goes up with rpm but these only vary a little eg 2-4 on some cars. Cleaning is hit and miss, you can get an OE for $60 or a Hitachi for $40 from Rock, the Hitachi is good and the OE may be an Hitachi. Check the obvious first like leaking intake plumbing or vacuum leaks, post the codes.

2018 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 2.0L L4 Turbocharged Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.
www.rockauto.com
Click to expand...
Appreciate your advice. As it turns out, the connector was left unplugged. Apparently the quickie lube replaced the air filter and removed it for access. Yup.
 
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