my old man just paid $80 to get his codes run and for labor to install a new mass airflow sensor that showed up as the problem. and $200 for the parts. Is this normal or did he get screwed???????

Dan.

 

Normal.

 

i agree that sounds about right

 

I hope it was really bad, not just dirty,, could have cleaned it for 5 bucks.

 

MAF sensor reads air speed by heating the wire to 200 C and the rushing air cools the wire and the difference in temperature is how it measures the air flow.
so unless the wire is broke or the PCB board is damaged then u can clean it with either parts cleaner carb cleaner or rubbin alcohol. but if u gotta buy a new one check ebay before u get ripped one from the dealer i paid 5 bucks for my spare one

 

I have been told Electrical Contact cleaner ONLY on that wire.. the only thing (well, i suppose rubbing alcohol, but thats hard to find in a spray) that leaves no residue and doesnt require using a swab

 

The MAF sensor on my 97 has 2 wires. One wire has a tiny thing (capacitor?) on it. The air flow is calculated using the difference in temps between the 2 wires. Here is how the oil from your K&N can screw up your MAF. If the oil gets on both wires evenly then the temp differences probably will be correct and the PCM will get the correct air flow reading. However, over time the hot wires get uneven amounts of oil which burns off and leaves uneven carbon buildup which changes the temp differences between the wires and now the PCM is getting an incorrect air flow reading and it will set the mixture incorrectly, rich or lean, it depends on which wire is fouled more. Then if you try to clean the MAF and leave more residue on one wire than the other you will be giving yourself the same problem. The capacitor can also go bad causing the same problem. The point here is that just because the wires are not broken does not mean the MAF is working correctly. Also, a $5 junker MAF will still let your engine function but it might not be right and you will not know it unless you have some very good test equipment. Kinda long here so somebody else can jump in and help clear this up.