Hi All,
Hope you can share your knowledge on this with me please...
Is cleaning the MAF Sensor on the 7th gen (specifically) the task that can be done myself, or is it safer to take it to the garage/dealership for that? I realize I should be using the CRC Cleaner for this task.
-Is it neccessary to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery prior to removing this sensor?
-Is it easy to take it out (again, specifically for the 7gen Maxima)?
-When the MAF sensor is taken out should I spray only the wires (assuming these are visible), or the entire part, including all the plastic?

Sorry, I could not find the details for our model on the web, or on this site, so if the link does exist could you please, let me know?
Thanks so much guys!

PS. I have a K&N cai unit installed, and the "Check Engine Light" started coming on periodically - the code P0101 gets thrown. I suspect/hope it could be because of The Mass sensor getting some oil from the filter on it...although I might be wrong.

 

Ok before you start spraying your maf sensor do you know what the code is for? You don't want to break something that isn't broken. What I would try first is put the stock intake back on reset battery and see what happens

 

Thanks Tommy. This code is for "Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit Range/Performance Problem". Unfortunately, I do not have the stock intake - the K&N was installed by the previous owner of the car. I did change the filter (only) 4 months ago - it was very dirty already. The new filter came pre-oiled by K&N. Thanks.

 

Those filters are massively loaded down with oil. The ECM usually sends a short burst of electricity to the MAF after shutting the engine down to burn off any contamination. No always successful. Autozone or advance auto or O'Reily all sale a specific MAF sensor cleaner - it's in a gray can.

MAF sensor is extremely easy to remove. It's only 2 bolts that holds it in and 1 electrical connector.

Remove....being very careful not to drop it. Spray it inside and out. There are 2 heated sensor wires you can see inside of it. Don't hold the sprayer more than about 3 or 4 inches from it. They are delicate. MAF sensor cleaner evaporates and dries very quickly and leaves no residue, so you aren't going to hurt anything with this stuff.

How does the car run?

Usually a busted MAF sensor will put it in limp mode and it won't rev over 2500rpm and runs like doodoo.

Late,
Trav

 

Wouldn't worry about disconnecting negative battery cable. If ignition is off, no voltage is sent to the MAf sensor. Disconnecting battery is ALWAYS safest and will clear the codes stored in the ECM, but again, isn't really necessary. I never did, but I never had codes stored in there, either.

 

Thank you very much for the detailed reply and suggestions CorollaULEV! The car runs OK from I can tell. There is a bit of a hesitation during the start-off, but it picks up quickly after 40mph or so. I think this is a behaviour reported on this site by multiple 7th Gen owners. The problem is that it's the second time this winter that this engine light comes on with the MAF code. While I erased the code with my Innova diagnostics tool, most likely it will come back again. So, I think I will give it a try to clean the MAF sensor, as per your instructions. I have already bought the CRC MAF Cleaner for this task (like the one on the link below).

Thank you very much again.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/au...-0381704p.html