Cleaning your MAF Sensor
By: John Gislason
This Tech Article will outline the tools and steps necessary
to properly clean the Mass Air Flow Sensor on late model Ford products (ie: CV/GM/TC).
Tools: One can of “Electrical Contact Cleaner” (do NOT
substitute brake cleaner or carburator cleaner), and
a #20 “Tamper-proof TROX” bit and/or driver.
Follow these steps carefully:
-Locate the MAF assembly, it is
attached to the upper air cleaner box on the driver’s side.
-Disconnect the electrical connector completely, and place it aside
-Using the “TORX” driver, remove the two (2) screws that
retain the sensor element in the body
-CAREFULLY pull the sensor element STRAIGHT up and out of
the body
-Carefully inspect the sensor to verify that there are two
(2) “cross wires” running from one terminal to the other (about 1/2” long), if
either are missing, damaged, bent, or broken, the MAF assembly MUST be replaced
as a unit.
-Clean off any deposits, junk, or oil from the sensor
terminals on the post using the “electrical contact cleaner”. Not the electrical connector area!
-Allow to dry completely
-Carefully insert sensor element into body and secure with
screws you removed earlier
-Re-attach the electrical connector
-Start the engine, and ensure everything operates normally,
road test for performance.
Congratulations, you just saved yourself over $200 of a new
MAF installed at the dealer!
I perform this simple trouble saving service each spring,
time well spent.