So my gf's ford escape had the check engine light come on, brought it to the dealership and it was due to the mass air flow censor reading 160 when it should be at 155, and the pcm needs to be reprogrammed. I have no idea what any of this means, but its expensive to fix... anyone know of a place that does a decent job and is cheaper?

2/28/2008 11:59:16 AM

censor

2/28/2008 12:41:24 PM

i'm assuming you're talking hertz? sounds like it's reading too high at wide open throttle? what were the voltage readings?

why does the pcm need to be reprogrammed? unless it's got some unrelated problem, all that needs to be done is reset it (remove power) after the maf sensor is replaced. it will reprogram/relearn on its own.

basically, this thread doesn't make much sense. either someone is feeding you a bunch of crap, or something has been lost in communication.

2/28/2008 12:43:59 PM

Sorry - he said the mass air flow censor was reading 160 hertz when it should've been at 155, which he said was too high. He didn't say what the problem was with the pcm just that it has to be reprogrammed. He said the bulk of the cost would come from replacing the mass air flow censor.

2/28/2008 12:57:08 PM

do not sensor what i have to say

2/28/2008 1:00:13 PM

Oh jeez sorry.. I was on the phone while typing this.

2/28/2008 1:02:46 PM

You cant repair, you must replace although you can pull the sensor out and clean it tho.

2/28/2008 1:06:24 PM

Well can any of you recommend somewhere that does a good job repairing fords? I want to check on prices and see if I can get a better deal.

2/28/2008 1:09:58 PM

well if it is the MAF. and you are mechanically inclined. GENTLY apply brakeparts cleaner to the sensor and GENTLY clean with a tissue. or a Q-tip

[Edited on February 28, 2008 at 1:31 PM. Reason : NO RAG]

2/28/2008 1:29:43 PM

It's not particularly complicated at all to change yourself. I wouldn't bother trying to clean it.

2/28/2008 2:29:13 PM

dont use brake cleaner.. CRC makes specific MAF cleaner, available at just about any parts store

2/28/2008 3:07:38 PM

So this is something I could just clean rather then repair? Wouldn't they have just said that?

2/28/2008 3:22:46 PM

it usually breaks or fails completely when you try to clean it

2/28/2008 3:27:26 PM

I figured as much. So nobody knows a decent place that I can bring this to to get an estimate?

2/28/2008 3:34:35 PM

Its not worth their time to try to fix it, esp with how likely it is to not work

Also, is 3% difference in expected vs actual really that significant? Doesnt seem like it to me. I thought mafs usually failed completly not just started being wrong by 3%

And the computer reprogramming was bullshit, find another dealership

2/28/2008 3:36:00 PM

Yeah I really didn't think it seemed like a big deal at all. The bigger problem is that the check engine light is on due to this and she needs to get her inspection done. I'm trying to find somewhere to bring it to but I don't know any ford places in raleigh/cary.

2/28/2008 3:46:20 PM

Just went by the dealership and they said the PCM has to be reprogrammed with new software. If that means anything.

2/28/2008 4:36:05 PM

you can try to clean the maf, ive heard of the crc stuff and ive heard of people using straight isopropyl alcohol, put it in a ziplock bag and gently swich it around to clean, dont touch the actualy thermistor with anything at all, let air dry and put it back on the car.


but that of course might not work and yo uend up putting a new one on anyhow. And mafs do sometimes just go bad slowly as opposed to just up and dying, and when you think of one of the main components on the car that directly controls your fuel/air mixture then yeah id say 3% plus or minus is quite a bit of variation.

then there is the programming issue, car manufacturers are constantly working bugs out of their programs the same way computer software guys are and every now and then they come up with a fix to some stupid bug that you most likely dont know is there and at times its a fix to a bug that actually causes an issue. Have them explain to you exactly what the programming would fix and decide from there. But as far as them just bullshitting you on programming, that statement in itself is bullshit.

2/28/2008 4:59:27 PM

Quote :

"Just went by the dealership and they said the PCM has to be reprogrammed with new software"

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escape/2002/investigations.shtml

2/28/2008 5:50:54 PM

I had the check engine light on in my truck for the MAF sensor. Unplugged it, blew it out and plugged it back in. Haven't had any trouble with it since.

2/28/2008 6:46:08 PM

Quote :

"it usually breaks or fails completely when you try to clean it"

wrong

Quote :

"CRC makes specific MAF cleaner, available at just about any parts store"

I got this at adv auto (couldn't find it at autozone) and used it to clean the MAF on my maxima and my brothers sentra since i was cleaning the throttle bodies already (no codes being thrown just felt like doing it). I mean over the years the temp element in the sensor is gonna get dirt and stuff stuck to it. Personally I like the stuff and def noticed an increase in low end torque after the tb/maf cleaning.

2/28/2008 7:37:51 PM

I used rubbing alcohol to clean the one in my maxima and it fixed its problem.

2/28/2008 8:20:09 PM