Intermittent P0101 code

[hayners334]

2006 Sierra 1500 5.3. I'm getting an extremely intermittent P0101(MAF range/performance) code. First time it showed up was shortly after I got it(April), while towing a good sized load. Shut the truck off, and when started again, the light was gone. It has not showed up again, until today. This time, slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting a truck that decided to swerve back into the roadway suddenly, from the shoulder of the road. Probably not my best move, but after they got back over, I laid into the gas pretty hard, and the CEL came on at the same time. Put the scanner on it, and it's the P0101 code again. Freeze frame data shows MAF reading at .14 at the time the CEL came on. Not having much luck on finding a normal operating range for the MAF, so not sure where my reading falls on the scale. MAF sensor on its way out, or good cleaning needed? Any other possibilities?

[sefiroxx]

Try cleaning it with maf spray. Also, check the pigtail/wire. Idle the truck and move the wire around to see if the cel is set

[Armo325]

As mentioned above, I'd start with the MAF sensor.  After that, you might want to consider changing the intake gasket.

 

I had a similar problem on a 2005 Tahoe with the 4.8.  I didn't do a great job of troubleshooting and did the hard stuff first.  After changing the intake gasket and knock sensors (the gasket was a known issue; the knock sensors were just easy to get to with the intake manifold off), the problem turned out to be the MAF sensor.  I tried cleaning it first but still was popping codes.  I grabbed a new sensor (around $65 if I recall), changed it and never had the issue again.

[hayners334]

11 hours ago, sefiroxx said:

Try cleaning it with maf spray. Also, check the pigtail/wire. Idle the truck and move the wire around to see if the cel is set

Thanks, wiring seems to be good, visually looks okay, and moving the wiring didn't make a difference, no CEL set by doing so, so I'm going to assume the wires are not the issue

[hayners334]

5 hours ago, Armo325 said:

As mentioned above, I'd start with the MAF sensor.  After that, you might want to consider changing the intake gasket.

 

I had a similar problem on a 2005 Tahoe with the 4.8.  I didn't do a great job of troubleshooting and did the hard stuff first.  After changing the intake gasket and knock sensors (the gasket was a known issue; the knock sensors were just easy to get to with the intake manifold off), the problem turned out to be the MAF sensor.  I tried cleaning it first but still was popping codes.  I grabbed a new sensor (around $65 if I recall), changed it and never had the issue again.

Thanks, I checked the wiring and all seems to be good there, so will try cleaning and/or replacing it and see if that takes care of it. Problem is it's so intermittent, so cant try a fix and immediately see if it worked or not. Just my luck...lol