I'm planning on doing this later, but am confused by one step. What is the purpose of the pipe? You say to "Take you MAF cleaner and put the pipe on it, so you can reach small areas. When you clean the MAF, DO NOT touch anything in side the tunnel with the pipe because that can damage the sensor." ?? Do I spray the pipe and insert it into the tunnels? How do I apply the cleaner to the side of the tunnels without physically touching them? Do i just spray the entire thing down including the tunnels? Can someone please clarify this for me?

 

you put the red pipe/straw on the can.
the pipe makes the spary more focus and stronger and easier to point.
don't touch anything on the maf when you cleaning it.
don't spray the entire thing, just tunnels.

 

Oh OK gotcha...Tyvm for clearing that up as well as posting this How-To

 

How do you perform the ECU reset and Idle relearn procedures? I've also heard that some people use brake parts cleaner, it dosn't leave resin. They said that the MAF cleaner will leave that oil on it and it can mess up the sensor later on.

 

there is no oil in the cleaner. where does that come from?
reset procedure, please search.

 

Is the idle relearn procedure nessacary I read a few people say they didn't do it so what are the pros of doing this PIA procedure

 

I took it out....and noticed that I dont have the metal piece around the front. What kind of problem is this?

 

00-01 maximas don't have this transitor IIRC.

 

infact, I believe the engine will get used to the cleaned MAF sooner or later, but doing the relearn and reset won't hurt, right?

 

Thats good new about the resistor. idk about anyone else but whenever i work on my car...i finish the job and something else goes wrong in this case....cleaned my MAF, Put in a new dome light...and then I blew my ballast for my fog lights. great...no what

 

Man I don't believe it's that easy. I actually paid to have that done before I moved to AL.

 

wish i would have saw this before i changed mine

 

Great pictures! Great write-up!

Two-thumbs up!

Thanks!!!

 

Can we also spray on that little metal wire transitor IIRC in the middle or whatever it called? and what is the resistor thing?

 

Spray the hell out of everything.

 

that's the air temp sensor.

 

Hey guys, New-B here though this is my 2nd maxima. I have a 2000 SE 5spd. Prior to cleaning the MAF using the steps above I had a CEL, intermittent stalling and a code P0430. I used my friends Snap-On Scanner to look at the O2 sensors and Bank 1 sensor 2 was "frozen" After cleaning my MAF and driving approx.20 miles, the CEL and the stalling are both gone. I haven't been able to get the scanner on the car yet to see if bank 1 sensor 2 is actually working or not. Is it possible that a dirty/contaminated MAF could have caused the code and the stalling. Thanks for entertaining a new-b question.

 

I don't think the MAF will cause stalling, but it could be the problem although an engine will run w/o a MAF. did you let the cleaner dry before putting the MAF back?

 

will be doing this coming weekend. Thanks!

 

I just did this but before I saw this thread and I took out my entire air box... I guess it saved me having to buy a torx screwdriver.

 

My car was stalling at idle before I cleaned my MAF, now it's fine and more responsive.

 

My car started stalling right after being started when warm, so I cleaned my MAF. It did not make the problem go away, but I honestly do feel like I got some power and responsiveness back.

 

Hey New-B here, I did let the MAF dry completely before re-installing it. I have driven the car about 45 miles now and the CEL is still out however on the way home today, the car started stalling again as soon as I put the clutch in. The wierd thing is, if I shut the car off for about 1 minute or so and re-start it, the car idles fine. Any ideas before I resort to the dealer????

 

codes?
I don't think it the cleaning that cause the stalling cuz mine is fine. should be a coinsidence.

 

maybe it's the O2 sensors?

 

wouldn't those throw some codes?

I have a thread on it here:
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ease-help.html

don't want hijack this one. btw, this is a great thread with good pictures, Jason. I'm definitely glad I cleaned the MAF sensor.

 

on a 4th gen., wouldn't you spray everything in the in the short tubing with MAF cleaner, including the temp. sensor?

 

when i did my 2k maf i sprayed the hell out of everything.. even the screen lol

 

jasonmax, any chance you can get those pics working again. I'm planning on doing this on my day off this week. Thanks, looks like a great write-up!

 

I have been getting 13-14 mpg on my 00 Max se auto, hopefully this will clear things up. Thanks alot!

 

aren't they working? they look working to me.

 

I did this the other day, but I havent noticed any difference.

Does any one know if they do it at the dealership when you buy a certified used car?

 

Sorry man, it was probably my work blocking the pics.

 

nice write up!!!!

 

I tried to disconnect the MAF today by pressing on the socket and pulling upwards. It wouldn't budge a bit. Did anyone else have a difficult time disconnecting it? Also, will my car start if I don't do the ecu reset?

 

you could wiggle while pulling, but that thing is weather proved, so it should be tight.
it will start.

 

Thanks for your quick response, I was also a little hesistant of starting this clean up process because I did not know how do the ecu reset (kept failing) I will try again later.

 

I hope you don't mind me posting a picture in your thread but this is what my thingy looks like ...



I can press the socket and push it down at the same time. I tried to pull it out in every way possible way but seems like its not going to let itself go. Any suggestion?

 

Push a small flat head screw driver inside that space behind the tab, and push it towards the top of the picture and pull it up with your other hand. It's opposite of everything you would expect from a connector on this car.

 

thanks for the write-up. I'm a firm believer in cleaning MAFs but I think i've been doing it wrong.. Last time i had the MAF out of the car, i just sprayed the little wire/resistor bit thinking that would do it.

If one runs the stock airbox/filter, what are the chances the MAF will even get dirty? My 2002 has been bogging for years now.. I would estimate its down a good 30-50hp, just haven't had time to investigate the issue since (until recently) it's been the wifes car. Now that it's my beater, I've got to de-woman-abuse the car one thing at a time.