edgenuts

My SES light turned on this past Friday. I have a K&N air filter and have read a lot of posts (not just on this site) regarding how an excessive amount of oil can affect the MAF. I just got the thing less than a month ago so if it was over oiled it came like that. And also instructions on how to go about cleaning one (from a 2nd or 3rd Gen, I can't remember).

Ok so getting to the point, I removed the plug and the two screws but I couldn't get the MAF casing out. I tried pulling it and I was even able to twist it slightly but it didn't feel like it was becoming unthreaded. I've read you're supposed to be very careful with it so I figured that there had to be some trick to removing it in an '02 Max.

Any help would be appreciated.

mtboulder

On my 2000 Maxima the MAF does not have threads on it. It has an O-ring and presses into the housing. It does fit very tightly and I had to (carefully) use a screwdriver to pry it up out of the housing.

edgenuts

Ahh, ok. Thanks for your response. Was it a pain to put it back in?

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Just wiggle/twist it a little back and forth as you pull it out. Once removed (*optional: unplug your battery), use a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol to gently clean the sensor. Allow to dry then put the sensor back in. Also, remove your K&N and blot it with paper towels to remove any extra/pooling oil.

After about 10 - 15 minutes plug the battery back in and start the car. The SES should be gone.

*You could also avoid the unplugging and just take the car to Autozone after you clean the MAF and let them remove the SES from the ECM (thus keeping all your radio staions).

MaximaPolak

iTrader: (9)

twist it sideways so the screw holes stick out, then just lift with your fingers...It's Easy.

edgenuts

Yeah, I just didn't wanna break it... I'll try it again tonight, thanks!

dblrr900

If you got the filter from the factory then I can't imagine it was over-oiled. Do you have an intake on or using the stock airbox?

If you have just the stock unit then you might want to take it into the dealership. There is one model of the MAF that is faulty and you might be able to get it replaced under warantee.

Also, the battery trick doesnt work. On the 2k2 and up the ECU has memory and keeps the code. You have to have the dealer clear it or just ride it out. I had it happen once and you just roll on for about 500 miles or 50 starts, can't remember which it is. It will just turn off one time that you start the car.

edgenuts

stock airbox, do a google search and you will find stories, most of them admit to over oiling but a few have said it came over oiled.

There is a method under the How/To's to reset the ECU. Haven't tried it yet.

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, I've had 4 different K&Ns (and one greenfilter). Out of those two came with pools of oil in the corners. I always blot them down (both sides) with paper towels before installing.

dblrr900

Yes, there are like 5 different stories for how to reset the ECU. Unless you really have some heartburn, just ride it out. It will reset. Ione guy said to let the car sit overnight with the battery disconnected, never worked. But you are free to try them all.

edgenuts

2002MaximaSE, once you got the MAF out were you able to re-use the O-Ring?

dblrr900

Yes, you can. It is just a rubber ring. I have two in my car.

If you ever get an extra few $$ get your hands on a 2k1 MAF from DaveB. I think it was $80 but it will save you $500 from the dealer should you blow one.

edgenuts

Yeah I emailed him yesterday... hahaha, thanks for the tip though! I have the MAF out and sitting over here drying off. Thanks everyone for your help.

dblrr900

It is a funny thing, I blew my MAF about two months ago. It was like 100 degrees and I was hitting it hard on a corner, the gas light came on, my car hit the rev and it just shut off. Long story short it was the MAF. I replaced it and put my stock airbox back in for the rest of the summer.

Tonight I just put my intake back in and I was looking at my old MAF. On the little screen was a bunch of black oil-like stuff I guess I fell victim to the same problem. It was my fault though, I did the recharge kit about 4-5 months ago. Gotta watch that oil.

At $30 a filter I think I will just start getting a new K&N each year instead of risking the hastle of blowing the MAF. Hope it works for you.

dblrr900

Someone just posted this link. See if this resets your ECU. I had never heard of this one.

http://www.technosquareinc.com/350reset.htm