Bad MAF Sensor ? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Johnny Danger · 05-07-2011, 03:00 PM

I've been dealing with a cel issue for the past few months while my vehicle has been in storage. The code that is coming up is P0102. Today, I removed and inspected the MAF sensor and observed that it wasn't dirty at all . Nevertheless, I thoroughly cleaned it just the same . Shorty after reinstalling it, and resetting the cel by removing the negative battery terminal ect... the cel came back on . Is it possible that the sensor could be bad despite the fact it didn't show any signs of contamination ? Any thoughts ?

JD
p.s. Prior to checking the MAF, I removed the air intake filter and thoroughly cleaned it .

harryrcb · 05-07-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

I've been dealing with a cel issue for the past few months while my vehicle has been in storage. The code that is coming up is P0102. Today, I removed and inspected the MAF sensor and observed that it wasn't dirty at all . Nevertheless, I thoroughly cleaned it just the same . Shorty after reinstalling it, and resetting the cel by removing the negative battery terminal ect... the cel came back on . Is it possible that the sensor could be bad despite the fact it didn't show any signs of contamination ? Any thoughts ?

JD
p.s. Prior to checking the MAF, I removed the air intake filter and thoroughly cleaned it .

Yes it could be a bad MAF. other thing beside the one you addressed is the plug might be loose? broken or shorted wire? DME could be bad but rare. Try leaving the battery cable off for a much longer time such as an hour then drive it and see if you get another light. the code is saying that the voltage is much lower than expected from the maf which is air flow.... try unpluging the maf and drive it if there is no difference you might have a bad maf .

coolbreeze551 · 05-07-2011, 10:58 PM

I am in a similar situation with my MAF (minus the cel) and I am not sure what to do. I tried cleaning it to no avail. I am still getting a rough idle and no cel. I am thinking that I will have to order a new one. I would like to avoid doing that if possible but if it has happened to others and is the best solution I will have to.

Oaktown 986 · 05-08-2011, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

I've been dealing with a cel issue for the past few months while my vehicle has been in storage. The code that is coming up is P0102. Today, I removed and inspected the MAF sensor and observed that it wasn't dirty at all . Nevertheless, I thoroughly cleaned it just the same . Shorty after reinstalling it, and resetting the cel by removing the negative battery terminal ect... the cel came back on . Is it possible that the sensor could be bad despite the fact it didn't show any signs of contamination ? Any thoughts ?

JD
p.s. Prior to checking the MAF, I removed the air intake filter and thoroughly cleaned it .

That sounds like when my MAF fAiled. Then my car died on the bay bridge. Replaced it and it's been running great for 20k.

Lobo1186 · 05-08-2011, 06:25 AM

I have been dealing with what I think is a bad MAF also. I too have cleaned it a couple of times each time the cleaning interval gets shorter. It obviously is only a stopgap measure. Johnny, do you know if running a bad MAF could foul spark plugs? Maybe if left unchecked.

Johnny Danger · 05-08-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

I have been dealing with what I think is a bad MAF also. I too have cleaned it a couple of times each time the cleaning interval gets shorter. It obviously is only a stopgap measure. Johnny, do you know if running a bad MAF could foul spark plugs? Maybe if left unchecked.

My vehicle has 18k original miles, and its been kept in stellar working order. So, I can't imagine that I have fouled plugs, a bad DME or anything like that . It's possible that I may have a bad wire or connection somewhere (although nothing stands out during a visual inspection), but I would find it hard to believe that its anything major . I just wish that I could pinpoint whether or not its precisely the MAF sensor before I shell out $200-300 for a replacement . Again, when I removed it yesterday for inspection, it was as clean as a whistle ?????

coolbreeze551 · 05-10-2011, 05:55 PM

Johnny I just ordered a MAF and a EVO air intake from vertex auto. I will let you know when I put it in and if it fixes the problem. They have the best prices I have found on MAF's and EVO intakes believe it or not. But that is just what I have found.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers

Johnny Danger · 05-10-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolbreeze551

Johnny I just ordered a MAF and a EVO air intake from vertex auto. I will let you know when I put it in and if it fixes the problem. They have the best prices I have found on MAF's and EVO intakes believe it or not. But that is just what I have found.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers

Please do . In the meantime, I'll continue to have nightmares about a cheap sensor that I bought on Ebay chasing me through the desert along side a naked indian chief .

jhandy · 05-10-2011, 08:14 PM

Is there anyone around you that you could convince to let you borrow their MAF? Just to see if that solves the problem. Also junk yards pick-ur-part places could have it much cheaper.

Topless · 05-10-2011, 08:19 PM

Also... all Boxster MAF sensors are not the same. If you have an e-gas car but you installed a non e-gas MAF, it wouldn't work. Re- check your part #s.

Johnny Danger · 05-11-2011, 01:25 AM

I'm tempted to give this one a try . It's an aftermarket knock-off as opposed to a refurbished or remanufactured part .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360328580569&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_1932wt_1167

Topless · 05-11-2011, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

I'm tempted to give this one a try . It's an aftermarket knock-off as opposed to a refurbished or remanufactured part .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360328580569&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_1932wt_1167

Hmmmm,
Judging from their careful [cough] description it won't work on any Boxster ever made (no such thing as a 97 with e-gas). Might want to go with a real OEM part instead and fix the problem.

Here is a site with a guide to choose the right part for your car that will work the first time:
http://store.gospecracing.com/massairflowsensor-1-1.aspx

mikstew · 06-10-2011, 04:17 PM

while that particular ebay seller may not have his facts precisely straight, I would not be scared to order one of these from ebay. After all, a MAF sensor is an incredibly simple basic part and should not cost 200+ dollars. I am sure the 90$ ebay parts will work great. In fact, I am going to buy one.

Johnny Danger · 06-10-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikstew

while that particular ebay seller may not have his facts precisely straight, I would not be scared to order one of these from ebay. After all, a MAF sensor is an incredibly simple basic part and should not cost 200+ dollars. I am sure the 90$ ebay parts will work great. In fact, I am going to buy one.

You should checkout this thread .
CEL/Maf Cured