MAF Sensor

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Apr 21, 2015 | 09:23 AM

rgp

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 133

Likes: 1

From: Lake Elmo, Minnesota

MAF Sensor

My 2001 Ranger V6 with 160.000 miles runs like a Swiss watch. After warming up slightly it idles at the typical 750 RPM. I can pull out of the garage, park in the yard, shift from D or R into P and the idle holds at 750 RPM until I turn the engine off.
But, If I've driven to warm the engine to normal run temp and go through the same D or R and into P, the RPM drops to nearly Zero and sometimes the engine stops.
This has happened in the past so I take out the MAF, squirt it good with MAF cleaner, put it back in and everything is hunky-doory. But not this time.
What am I missing??

Apr 21, 2015 | 01:07 PM

KF4EYR

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 193

Likes: 0

From: florida

i know this might be strange, but maybe a reset of the system might be needed,,, my daughters taurus needed done every few months ,,,,unhook the negative battery cable from battery wait 10 minutes then reconnect and start up and let it reset,,, might be the fix you need....

Apr 22, 2015 | 09:14 AM

wtroger

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 3,208

Likes: 13

I would look at the IAC also clean it.

Apr 22, 2015 | 07:43 PM

rgp

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 133

Likes: 1

From: Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Today my issue is resolved. I went thru the procedure again.
Disconnect negative terminal.
Remove MAF Sensor and squirt it with cleaner.
Wait at least 15-minutes. Actually I waited 35-minutes.
Replace MAF Sensor.
Connect negative terminal.
No more irregular idle. Idle holds near 750-RPM while shifting thru D, N, R & P.
Thanks for the IAC comment. I've done that in the past also.
I've noticed that some posts ask what kind of cleaner to use. Simply go to your neighborhood auto store and get a spray can of MAF Sensor Cleaner.

Apr 23, 2015 | 09:15 AM

pawpaw

Moderator

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 13,851

Likes: 111

From: SW Va

Good find, fix & feedback on cleaning your MAF sensor fixing the acting out idle.
Lets think about this some more. Since the MAF sensor is supposed to see only Filtered air so it won't get dirty, maybe have a look upstream to the air box for an air leak, lest it get dirty again. Look for things like an improperly buttoned up, or damaged air box, or air tube, ill fitting, or damaged air filter, oiled foam, or cotton gauze type air filter, or one that's been over oiled & migrated to & contaminated the MAF sensor calibrated heated air flow element ect, ect.

Apr 24, 2015 | 08:25 AM

rgp

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 133

Likes: 1

From: Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Good point. I do have a K & N air filter installed that I clean and re-oil at 50,000 mile intervals. There's no doubt that it can be contributing to the frequency at which I need to pull the MAF sensor and clean it.
I will also check the filter housing, gasket and plenum to look for evidence of leaks.