2001 Zetec won't start unless MAF is unplugged.

[D-Cell_Mekanick]

So moms car didnt start yesterday morning. I went over and checked it out after work. After a little fiddling around I came to the conclusion it would start without the mass air flow sensor plugged in. It dies when I plug the maf back in. What gives? Thanks in advance, any input is appreciated.

[Sponsor]

[joecicalese]

This is almost definitely a bad MAF sensor. If it were me, I'd grab one off my brother's Focus and try it out. Since not everyone has this option, pull it off and spray the hell out of the sensor with QD electronics cleaner and give it a few minutes to drip dry. Then pop it back in and see if you get lucky. You're probably not going to get around replacing it, but it's a reasonable enough item. Try Amazon, or it may even be cheaper from Village Ford with our group discount.

I'm not sure if there's a way to test it, but maybe someone on here knows how. I know they work by heating that tiny element you see inside the MAF tube and measuring how much the air cools it. So maybe voltage can be measured while you blow on it or hold it next to a fan?

[D-Cell_Mekanick]

Thanks Joe, she made it to my house this morning to watch my kids. I plan on cleaning the sensor tonight with CRC's cleaner, I will remove the battery cable also to reset the lt/ft's. hopefully that will buy me some time to get a new sensor.

[zetecDon]

Moved to "General Technical Chat".

[1turbofocus]

It could be many things

Bad MAF
Vac Leak
ECU issue
MAF Plugin
Dirty or wet MAF

Find some one with a scan tool , xcal2 or 3 and see whats happening , I will be glad to help you

Tom

[D-Cell_Mekanick]

Originally Posted by 1turbofocus

It could be many things

Bad MAF
Vac Leak
ECU issue
MAF Plugin
Dirty or wet MAF

Find some one with a scan tool , xcal2 or 3 and see whats happening , I will be glad to help you

Tom

I have an Innova 3160, scanned for faults yesterday, none stored. Checked for fuel(present at fuel rail when key is cycled) check for spark( present when grounding plug wire and engine is cranking). Verified timing with cam and crank lock before spraying ether into throttle body. It started and ran but as soon as I put the intake tube back onto throttle body it died. So I pulled air filter, it was clean (thought maybe a mouse made a new house). Started with filter box open, as soon as I set the filter box top on the box it died. So I unplugged the maf sensor. Started and ran great but obviously thru a code. I left the maf sensor unplugged and the car is driveable.

[D-Cell_Mekanick]

Cleaned the maf sensor and disconnected battery. Just reinstalled everything and am in the process of relearning the fuel trims. But she is idleing pretty good right now. Hopefully this will be the fix at least for now. I will update later. Thanks for the help.

[D-Cell_Mekanick]

Oh I thought I'd add that MAF (lb/min) are reading 0.314 at idle. Not sure if thats a good reading or not but its reading something.

[sailor]

Progress is good....

AFAIK the MAF also includes the IAT (Intake Air Temp) sensor.

So there's two useful things it needs to do right.

Luck!

[D-Cell_Mekanick]

Originally Posted by sailor

Progress is good....

AFAIK the MAF also includes the IAT (Intake Air Temp) sensor.

So there's two useful things it needs to do right.

Luck!

Iat was reading ambient temp, 53*.