Remove The MAF Sensor
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Here are the actual removal and cleaning instructions for the MAF sensor.
Remember, this article covers two different types of MAF sensors. I've included photos of both in the image viewer. These may be in a slightly different place on your specific GM vehicle but this should not worry you, the steps apply to them all.
OK, this is what you need to do:
- 1
If your MAF sensor is bolted to a vehicle that's 1996 or newer, remove the two Torx head bolts that hold the MAF sensor in place (see photo 1).
If your vehicle is 1996 and older, the MAF sensor will have three Phillips head screws (small bolts) attaching the MAF to the throttle body, remove them now (see photo 2). - 2
Once the sensor is removed, it should look like the ones in photos 1 and 2 in the image viewer below.
If your GM vehicle uses the older type (photo 1 in the image viewer below), you have to be very careful not to damage the hot wires, since both are exposed and can be easily damaged/broken.
Clean The MAF Sensor
Once the MAF sensor is off of the vehicle, place it on a work table.
Just a friendly reminder and a very important one! -With the older type of MAF sensor (photo 1), you've got to be very careful not to bump the hot wires against anything or they'll break off.
The MAF sensor's hot wires (in the older type) are exposed and are very delicate, this I have found out thru' unfortunate personal experience.
OK, this is what you need to do:
- 1
Grab your MAF cleaning spray or electronics duster spray and spray the two MAF sensor hot wires.
- 2
On the older type MAF sensor, the two hot wires are exposed and super easy to clean.
On the newer type of MAF sensor, both hot wires are inside the air inlet cavity but within view and these too can be easily cleaned by just spraying them. - 3
If the MAF sensor is dirty, both resistors on the hot wires will be full of dark fuzz.
A clean resistor is usually a light gray color, and of course, it won't have any type of fuzz on it. - 4
Resist the temptation to physically wipe the resistors of the two hot wires. Spraying them will clean them.
- 5
If you're using an approved cleaning spray, this will immediately evaporate without leaving any trace. So when you're done, put the MAF sensor back and bolt it up. You're done!
No Improvement In Performance After MAF Clean
Cleaning the MAF sensor is just a maintenance type of repair, just like changing the oil in the engine. Oil gets old and dirty, but changing it won't solve an engine mechanical issue, and so it goes with the MAF sensor.
Cleaning a MAF sensor will only improve engine performance and/or gas mileage if it's dirty. So, if cleaning it didn't do anything for the vehicle you're driving, you need to look into a deeper diagnostic.
If you need to test the MAF sensor itself, to see if it's producing a correct signal the PCM can use, check out my article on testing it with a multimeter at:
- MAF Sensor Test 1989-1996 (this article at: easyautodiagnostics.com)
- MAF Sensor Test 1996-2005 (this article at: easyautodiagnostics.com)
More 3.8L V6 GM Tutorials
You can find a complete list of tutorials here: 3.8L Index Of Articles. Below, is a sample of articles you'll find in this index of articles:
- How To Diagnose Misfire Codes P0300-P0306 (GM 3.8L)
- How To Do A Cylinder Balance Test (GM 3.8L V6).
- How To Test The 3.8L GM Crank Sensor With A Multimeter.
- How To Do An Engine Compression Test (GM 3.8L).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
