My Max threw a Mass Airflow Sensor error code. I pulled it out and cleaned with MAF cleaner. Installed it and now it runs worse. Rough idle. Everything went back OK so I didn't miss anything. There is a test where with the car running you disconnect the connector from the MAF. If the engine continues to run then the MAF is bad. My car continued to run. I didn't find people trying this test here so I don't know if it's a valid test.

I did test one of the connections with a voltmeter. The voltage was lower than normal but I'm not sure if I did this correctly.
I did read that some people had to have a dealer reprogram the ECU.

Strange that it got worse after cleaning it. Maybe I'll just roll the dice and buy a re-manufactured one.

Anyone have any thoughts about the disconnect the connector test or anything else?

 

While the most likely solution is to get a new MAF, or at least a used one, you need to keep a few things in mind. Assuming you used real MAF cleaner, and not generic carb/TB cleaner, it's highly unlikely you damaged the MAF, unless you touched the element and damaged it. It's more likely that you caused a vacuum leak by not reinstalling everything correctly. Go back over everything and make sure everything is sealed up nice and tight.

I think you're misunderstanding the MAF unplugging test. The test is not that the engine continues to run vs stall out, because the engine will run with the MAF unplugged. It's that the way the engine runs when you unplug the MAF. Does the idle or smoothness change when you unplug it, or does it stay the same? If there's no change in idle behavior when you unplug it, then it's probably bad.

One thing to keep in mind is that these cars are almost 30 years old now. Brittle and broken wires are now a real concern. Carefully peel back some of the wire loom around the MAF plug and inspect for any damaged wires. If you see bare copper, then it's probably on the verge of failing. Bad wiring to the MAF will make the car run terribly, basically the same as a bad MAF.

You do not need your ECU reprogrammed.

 

Hey 95maxrider. Thanks for replying, I'm just seeing it now. It ended up being one ignition coil being bad. After 23 years I'm going to depart from my Max. Sad but the problems are mounting. I see you had joined the Org a month after me in '01. It's been long trip! Good luck!