How To Clean The GM Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor

This MAF sensor is used in all of the different GM Makes: Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and of course GMC (you'll detect a complete list of models below). Since this is an OFF-Car cleaning, the MAF sensor has to exist removed from the car or truck.

You'll find the whole MAF sensor cleaning process explained step by step in apparently english and with photos, making this job as like shooting fish in a barrel and every bit pain gratis as possible.

En Español You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Limpiar el Sensor de Flujo de Aire (MAF) de GM (at: autotecnico-online.com).

Symptoms Of A Muddy MAF Sensor

The most mutual symptoms of a Muddied mass air flow sensor are:

  1. Lack of power. Information technology's equally if there were a time lag between when the accelerator pedal is depressed and engine reaction.
  2. Check engine light is on in the instrument cluster and the codes yous may find could be:
    1. MAF Sensor Codes.
    2. Fuel Trim Codes.
    3. Rich/Lean Codes.
  3. Bad gas mileage.

What Causes The MAF Sensor To Get Dirty?

At that place are several conditions that tin cause the MAF sensor to become dirty. Let'south explore them a flake since knowing this will help you to avoid a repeat of the trouble.

  1. Air Filter is missing.
  2. Air Filter is torn or missing pieces.
  3. Air Filter is non properly set in place in its assembly.
  4. Air Filter Box associates is broken, letting in unfiltered air.

If whatever of the above apply to your motorcar or truck, your MAF sensor'south hot-wires are probably dirty and in need of cleaning.

What Exercise I Use To Clean The MAF Sensor?

How To Clean The GM Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor

We can't just use any type of solvent to clean the MAF sensor with. Here are a couple of very important guidelines on what to employ:

  1. An Electronics Spray Cleaner can be used.
    1. You tin can buy it at your local auto parts store (AutoZone, Pepboys, O'Reilly, etc).
    2. You can buy it at your local electronics store (Radio Shack, Fry'south, etc).
  2. Or yous tin buy a MAF sensor cleaning spray. Yeah, at that place is 1 designed just for cleaning MAF sensors.
    1. This cleaner is made by CRC Industries and its part number is: 05110.
    2. Y'all can buy it at your local auto parts store (AutoZone, Pepboys, O'Reilly, etc).
  3. Don't use carburator or brake clean spray or gasoline.
    1. These solvents will leave a rest on the wires.
    2. Not to mention the harsh solvent tin damage the MAF sensor's electronics.
  4. Also, don't attempt to physically clean the sensor with anything (like a cotton swab) or you may break the wires.

Why Clean The MAF Sensor?

Cleaning a muddied mass air menstruum (MAF) sensor saves you lot money. How? Well, savings at the gas pump for 1 since y'all'll get better gas mileage.

Savings at the auto repair shop, since almost shops adopt to supersede information technology rather than clean it (very few of the repair shops I have worked at wanted to clean them since the profit margin of cleaning was/is less than that of selling you a new 1, non to mention that they will NOT tell you information technology's but dingy).

Your carbon footprint will be less, since you volition exist polluting less, non to mention that you'll be getting your engine'due south worth of power. Since a muddied MAF sensor makes the engine pollute more than and produce less power.

Alright, enough of the b.s. and let's become started with the bodily step by stride cleaning of the GM mass air flow (MAF) sensor (Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and GMC models).

Footstep 1: Remove The MAF Sensor From Vehicle

Remove The MAF Sensor From Vehicle. How To Clean The GM Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor

Remove the mass air flow sensor from the car or truck.

Once off, your MAF sensor should wait like the i in the photograph.