maf issues. input needed

[Nicklepage1010]

So last night I started my car and it started to run funny. Quickly shrugging it off and blaming it on the cold, I noticed I was at a 10.0 afr at idle.
At that point I was confused, because the symptoms were similar to a bad mad, which I replaced over the summer. After unplugging the sensor, I ran around and looked in the window. Still 10.0 afr. I had was ready to shut it off and drive my xterra to work when i plugged the sensor back in halfway and it idled fine. When I pushed the plug the rest of the way in it idled like crap again.
So I pulled up on the whole unit with it plugged in. Back to idling fine.

So would you say its my sensor, or my plug?

I'm leaning towards my plug. I can't see another maf going bad

 

[bryanwheat]

Sounds like you could have a loose or dirty pin in the pigtail.

 

[Nicklepage1010]

What should I clean it with? I know these things are finicky

 

[g4ebguy90]

Compressed air..., usually you can see corrosion or etc if its built up to that point. You could always look up the specs and backprobe it. Wires that is.

Most of the time if the MAF is bad, if you unplug it, the car will run better.

Keep in mind the car is also in open loop at start up and so will run rich for a bit.
Assuming you have all your 02's in.

 

[Nicklepage1010]

My front o2 is wired as a narrowband, the rear is gone. The car usually runs 14.6, closed loop.
I forgot to mention the car was warmed. I havnt changed anything in the past 3 months.

 

[Kokomoguy30]

Take a good look in both sides of the plug. Sounds like a questionable connection. More that likely there is corrosion in the plug. That is what I would check first. If it needs cleaned you can usually get electrical contact cleaner at radio shack.