MAF Sensor

Froading · September 18, 2004

I installed a Westers PCM, and am experiencing some pinging. I would assume that the MAF sensor needs to be cleaned. Can anyone give me some directions on how to do so and what to use?

Thanks!

357mag · September 21, 2004

Pinging is caused by too much advance, or crappy gas or high load conditions. I wouldn't touch the MAF. It should clean itself when you shut the truck off. I know the older MAF sensors did, not 100% sure about the newer ones. They glow red hot as soon as the truck is shut off, to burn any residue off the wires.

Tim sends

Butch 02 Denali · September 21, 2004

Tim, the reasons you stated can certaintly cause pinging, but the #1 cause is a dirty mafs. Very common problem, especially when an oiled air filter is used like K&N and others. The mafs does not heat up to clean itself, it must be cleaned with a plastics safe, non residue electrical parts cleaner spray. I use one made my Turner, available at most auto parts stores. That is the same brand my dealer uses to clean them too.

GMCSierra04 · September 21, 2004

Hi, MAF sensors do not have a burn off function because the PCM keeps the wires on the senor wires at about 300*F which is hot enough to not require that procedure. Depending upon how much voltage and amperage is required to keep the wires at that specific temperature is how the PCM will be able to tell how much air is flowing into the engine. If the MAF senor wires were crapped up with the oil from a K&N (which is very common) the vehicle will run horribly, just as it would if the MAF were faulty. What kind of tune did you get with your Wester's? I could see if you ordered the 93 hot tune and still have a tank of 87 octane in there than that can cause that. Higher octane fuel takes longer to oxidize or burn versus a lower octane fuel so the higher octane fuels will be more resistant to detonation which can be caused by a number of things. I'd call the up Wester's and see if they have any solutions that they might know of before you do anything. Good luck.

357mag · September 21, 2004

I stand corrected.

Tim sends

02denali · September 21, 2004

take it out and spray it down with some electrical parts cleaner. let it dry and then stick her back in there.

GMCSierra04 · September 21, 2004

Well I'm assuming that you didnt have the problem before you installed the new PCM so chances are the problem lies there. I think I remember reading on Wester's site that if you had problems like your describing then give him a call but not totaly sure.

Butch 02 Denali · September 21, 2004

froading did call Lyndon, and was told a dirty mafs was the #1 cause of pinging problems. Could also have been a bad mafs, or dirty injectors. Quite often a change to a 180 thermostat cures minor pinging, as does a cool air intake.

Cleaning the Mafs made a big reduction in his pinging, and now it does it only very lightly and only for a milisecond when it kicks down. Some learn time on the PCM should eliminate it completly.

(froading e-mailed me for help a few days ago)

Butch 02 Sierra Denali