Van was running fine. I had to replace the cracked radiator last night, which went surprisingly well - I should have known I'd pay for an easy one. Now the van wont run. It would run for a minute then just die. I took off the air filter and it ran ok, well enough to move it out of the garage. The air filter was pretty dirty so today I replaced it and cleaned the MAF sensor with CRC cleaner. Now its worse it starts and dies immediately. Any ideas on what i could have messed up??

Thanks

 

Fuel Pump ?...what engine does it have ?
You NEED to fill in your Sig so we can help you.....

 

Newbie- cant add a signature yet. 5.4 gas engine, 95000 miles. I Dont think it is the fuel pump, if i play with the accelerator I can keep it running but its very rough.

 

Check the temp sensor/circuit.

 

Pull codes first...that could send you in the right direction..I cannot hear it since I live in canada But it would guess it may be a COP Issue ...BUT like i said Pull Codes first....

 

is that something i could have easily disconnected changing the radiator? and would that cause the engine to stop running?

 

A COP issue would just make it run rough wouldn't it? I did not disconnect the maf sensor wiring, just moved things aside when I changed the radiator. Could a bad connection there cause this. Can I disconnect the maf sensor to see if this is the problem or will it not run at all? Cant codes right now. my elm27 wont connect.

 

Well, if you said it was running before the radiator swap, then I would have to reckon it's something related to that. I know a temp sensor will make an engine run like crap, not sure if it'll keep it from running, but anythings possible.

 

Yes a COP issue would make it misfire anytime it wants...MAF Sensor is tricky....Do you not have a Diagnostic Scanner ? Are there Codes present ....

 

Sounds like a problem with the MAF from what symptoms your writing about.
You could have damaged the heat wire when you cleaned it.

Check this Link first.

Or go directly to this Link.

 

Well it did get a little worse after I cleaned it. Followed directions, let it dry for an hour before reinstalling, never physically touched it. Cant do the tests in the link because the engine wont run.

I disconnected the MAF sensor and it starts up and keeps running. Do you think that automatically means sensor is bad? Can i drive it this way?

 

Every thing I've read on this forum about MAF sensor cleaning, all comes down to eventually replacing the MAF sensor.......period.

Do a search and you'll see the talk about it.

If you read the link provided, yes, you can run with the MAF disconnected, but the engine will run rich and rough.

If you have it disconnected now, start it, and plug in the MAF, see how it runs, if it stalls, or has no power, then you'll know the cause of the problem real quick with out any testing.

Yes, it's a pricey part, but if it's needed, what other choice you have for a good running, non-fuel sucking engine??

 

Thank you all for your help. Took the doghouse off-2 hour job - it's the work van, custom shelves passenger side filled to the dash, I had knocked a hose loose- all is well.