In troubleshooting my MAF codes problem (see other thread - where I need some help, by the way), I have just read in the Haynes manual that you should not disconnect battery cable to reset codes because you lose the history and it will run rough for a little while.

My truck is running rough after cleaning the MAF, so my question is - is this caused by something wrong with the MAF or because I hvae wiped the history? How long is a "little while"? Should I expect it to level out after a few miles, because it has not. If it is going to take some time, maybe I just need to keep driving it for a while to build some history in the computer. Does that sound reasonable?

On a related note, I have also just realized that I should not have cleaned my throttle body. Anyone know what problems will result from my having done so?

Thanks.

 

It depends what you cleaned your TB with. I always use CRC-TB cleaner.It is safe for the coating that is applied on the insde of the TB. Harsh chemical sprays,like carb cleaner,will eat away at the coating.

Did you break the wires on the MAF sensor? I was told by a Ford tech that it usually takes about 10 miles for the computer to re-learn everything after hooking the battery back up.

 

I used STP Throttle Body & Air Intake Cleaner. I did not scrub with anything. I wiped a little with a rag, but not too much.

If I did damage the coating, what problems should I expect? Doh!

 

You didnt damage the coating. Ive used the STP TB cleaner before. I go a step further and use a soft bristle tooth brush to scrub the front and backside of the butterfly.

 

Thanks. I feel better about the throttle body.

Now if I can just figure out this new rough riding problem. I borrowed a code reader just now. I am about to tear into this thing and try to figure out if I have screwed myself up by cleaning the MAF.

I have seen several posts about post-MAF cleaning woes. Has there been any consensus about what to do to restore smooth acceleration following an MAF cleaning?

 

I did the same thing, codes were bank 1 and bank 2 lean, I replaced the Mass air sensor and all was good. Try disconnecting the mass air sensor and if it does not get worse there is your problem

 

How far have you driven it since you cleaned the MAF and TB?
Any chance you knocked off a hose or forgot to plug in a connector or something when you were working on it?

 

Problem solved.

Chalk this one up to a rookie mistake and having too many cooks in the kitchen.

I disconnected the MAF and the problem got noticeably worse, so I figured my MAF was working. I got up at 3am this morning and drove (not in my truck) to a friends house in SC to borrow his code reader (6 hours round trip). When I got back to work on my truck, we decided to do one more check of everything before driving it a little to generate a code. During that check, we found the #1 plug wire loose. Connected it. Drives better than ever.

In retrospect (isn't retrospect nice), we got sloppy at the end. We finished changing the plugs near dark last night. We ran the wires by flashlight, finishing up at around 8pm. We had 3 guys running wires. I guess each of us thought the others had checked the plug wires. By the time we test drove the truck, we weren't thinking straight, I guess - No, alcohol was not involved.

We spent some time this morning trying to formulate a story that was true that still concealed the embarassing truth that we had just been bone heads. We concluded, though, that the straight truth was a lot better than any story we could cook up.

I can not thank all of you enough for all of your advice so far. I have learned a lot with this little project. I will not make those same mistakes again. I am sure I can come up with some other good ones, though.

 

Glad you got it fixed!! If all else fails, blame the other guy!!

 

In this case, the other guy was my brother who knows a heck of lot more about fixing cars, etc. than I do. You can bet that I will blame him in my version of the story, but truth be told, there is no way I could have done yesterday's job without him.

Sometimes it is good to be the little brother.

 

I don't have a brother to blame I have a sister though.