possible bad MAF?

[TheWanderer]

OK, I checked the forums and none of the threads about this are specific to my issue...so here goes:

Before today, I fixed a few vacuum leaks from the TVV to the TB on my N/T, along with the ISC and the TPS. Car idled and ran fine, but jerked and bucked hard when I let the clutch out or when I was at parking lot speeds in first gear. It also would idle fine and then after awhile of driving it would drop to 500 or so then slowly go back up to 700-750. At around 700-750 it idles really rough, like the motor is trying way too hard to keep it up... I do have a bad TB gasket that I need to replace (when I cleaned the throttle body the gasket didn't seal right, so I have a high pitched whistle and air leak coming from it).

So today I changed my air filter, since it was time to (and I'm getting ready to cheese box the air box), and forgot to plug the maf in. Now, I don't have any idle problems and the car seems to run stronger. Could it be a bad maf? Anyone know if there are any prolonged effects to running without a maf besides the annoying cel? It would also kill my MPG wouldn't it? With the maf plugged in, I don't get any CEL's... I'm lost here...

Any way I can get around this? I want to put a short ram or a cold air box in, and I have been looking into the 2g maf setup, but can't seem to find a 2g maf with a 1g plug on it (or a 2g maf in general)...

 

[Tantrum]

Hey did anybody ever answer this thread because I have the same exact question and problem....

 

[rarson]

My gut feeling is that boost/vacuum issues were masked due to the MAF being disconnected. If the MAF is working properly and there are leaks all over the place, then naturally it's not going to run right. If the MAF is then unplugged, the ECU is not going to get any kind of airflow signal and could possibly default to a fuel setting that just happens to idle the car better.

I've never personally run into someone with a bad MAF, but I suppose it's always a possibility.

 

[haioku-rocket]

definately don't run the car for long without the MAF plugged in. Not a good way to go. Sounds like you have loads of boost leaks.

 

[dsmpat95]

mine did the same thing, mine was the throttle cable going into the black housing(dont know the name for it) for it , then going to the pedal and cc. check the nut where it inters the the box, mine would only surge after i ran the car, sitting still it would never happen.

 

[mike96]

i had a MAF go bad on my EVO1 i had in japan, and it took an act of god to drive it home. It didn't idle at all let alone run clean, had to keep my fool on the gas the whole way back, from what you describe i would say it isn't your MAF.

 

[Essential_DSM]

I had the same problem, swapped with my buddy's MAF. The car ran normal again. Contact fullthrottlespeed.com. I contacted them on the phone and they said that they're products are warrantied. They'll give you directions.