GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Well, the MAF sensor is giving me problems on my 03 Matrix. It has roughly 70k on the odometer. I'm wondering weather I should go buy a new one or drop by one of the local salvage yards and pickup one off another old car. Do these usually need replacing every 70k or so? This is my first car using a MAF.

Normally they never need replacing. Try cleaning it first. Spray it with MAF sensor cleaner, electronics cleaner or even brake cleaner. If you have an oiled air filter such as K&N, oil sometimes gets on the sensor. Did you get a CEL code or just poor running performance?

Its throwing a CEL, and the wife says it bucks here and there. I cleaned the sensor about 2 weeks ago and the wife said the light just came back on today. The previous owner had a TRD intake on it, but the stock intake was reinstalled when I bought it (at around 60k).

Check if it has an oiled K&N drop in filter. I would try cleaning it again. The MAF sensor is $$$.

As it is now, it has the stock Denso filter. I've driven it 10k miles with this filter. A few weeks ago the CEL came on. I cleaned the sensor and cleared the code with my scangauge. Two weeks later (now), and quite a few trips later the CEL comes back on.

Quote, originally posted by Raven »Check if it has an oiled K&N drop in filter. I would try cleaning it again. The MAF sensor is $$$.I know it's not a Vibe/Matrix, but I got a MAF for my Subie for like 60$, the first one that Subaru replaced was 325..!!!! only 4 year prior...

The local autoparts stores have them for around $80 + core ($50-70). Salvage yard near me has one for $30, but its out of a 2000 rav4 or something. I've always had cars with MAP sensors, and I never hear of those failing. It seems the MAFs have a lot more problems.

According to K&N, oil on the MAF sensor just ain't a happening thing. It's a myth.http://www.knfilters.com/faq.htm#27

Quote, originally posted by djb383 »According to K&N, oil on the MAF sensor just ain't a happening thing.http://www.knfilters.com/faq.htm#27Well, ofcourse K&N wants you to think that.... that's a no brainers right there.... MAFs are a PITA, because they are either a heated wire or film (kapton) and are very sensitive... Heck, the one on my Subaru was so sensitive that you really couldn't put a CAI on for fear of the turbolence of the air being able to destroy them... like I said above, the first one went under warr and cost Subaru 325 to replace it... the second one went a few months ago and was like 60$I would say for 80 you are getting off lucky, but if you replace it, you should replace it with a new one, why bother with one that "could" be failing??? I would replace BOTH O2 sensors at the same time as well, if it were me...

well if you over oil your filter theres issues. I have a trd cai oil filter and have never had a issue for over 2 yrs. just needs to be cared for properly. Someone on MO is having a MAF issue too, the auto store with core swap might be a good bet, unless the junk yard has a newer toyota with a 1zz and a maf you can get out of it.