GMC Sierra hesitation when accelerating, MAF sensor troubleshooting

[jcolby]

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra with the 5.3L. When moderately accelerating, the truck intermittently is sluggish. When the gas is stepped on, the engine does to rev, it still just feels like I'm barely stepping on the gas. Then sometimes it will "glide" into the acceleration that it should be at. Those are the symptoms. One thing I'm troubleshooting is the MAF sensor. I have a question on the functionality. I heard from someone to disconnect the MAF sensor connector and the engine should die. If it does not die, then the sensor is bad. I unplugged mine and the engine continue to idle and rev as normal. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

Jared

[Doug_Scott]

If you step on the gas and nothing appears to happen, you may have a fuel supply problem (pump or fuel filter, check filter first), or partially plugged exhaust.

 

I'd be interested in hearing what the guy that suggested you disconnect the MAF to see if it is bad, does for a living. The MAF measures the air flow into the engine, unplug it, and it will not report the air going into the engine. How you can determine anything from how it behaves is beyond me. It should have set a code though.

[fondupot]

What about tranny slippage? Since you say the engine revs, but you just arent going anywhere. Could be a worn out tranny.

[jcolby]

My description isn't the best. When I step on the gas, it doesn't sound like the tranny slipping. The engine RPM's match that of the speed I'm going. When I step on the gas, it sounds and acts as if I'm not stepping on the gas, if that makes sense.