Cleaning the MAF sensor on my LS430
#31
I had an MIL on my 02 LS430 for the fuel screen. Took her in for the TB and water pump 2 weeks ago and Park Place confirmed what my code scanner told me, fuel screen. Well, when I got it home from Park Place I decided to clean the air filter (K&N), MAF, and got a new gas cap. Afterwards the MIL turned off on its own after about 2 days of driving. I also cleaned the MAF on my 99 LS 400 at the same time. I used CRC Electronics cleaner on both, as I have done for years, and the cars have always run better afterwards. I also use CRC on my Honda Del Sol and my Acura Legend. Never a problem.
#32
After reading posts about how bad K&N air filters are for your MAF sensor, I went out and bought a bottle of CRC and cleaned my 01 LS430 with 148k miles. I had put the K&N in at 90K miles. One side of the diode was grey and dirty and other side was dark brown/reddish glass color. I disconnected the battery first before removing the MAF Sensor and sprayed it down. Reinstalled and hooked up the battery. Took it out for a test drive and I didn't notice any difference in how the car drove. I then cleaned the wife's 08 Scion Xd with 88K miles. I also dropped in a K&N in that car and had re oiled it recently. There was a huge difference in how the car idled, much smoother and quitter. When I opened the air box, I saw a small puddle of K&N oil in there so I must have over oiled it. So now I'm thinking of only buying either paper or new K&N air filters as opposed to over oiling them myself.
01 LS430 148K
04 RX330 188K
08 Scion Xd 88K
05 Honda Odyssey 74K
01 LS430 148K
04 RX330 188K
08 Scion Xd 88K
05 Honda Odyssey 74K
Last edited by LSBen; 08-30-14 at 02:07 PM. Reason: adding car signature
#33
Moderator
Oiled air filters were high technology in the 1930's. Nowadays K&N prospers based on a huge marketing budget and loyal customers that clearly do not have engineering degrees : ) Someone is always willing to buy the latest version of snake oil.
#34
Question for y'all.
I got a can of spray; CRC Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner (No. 05110) and read through the steps on the back... #10 DO NOT use on vehicles with Karman-Vortex air flow sensor, e.g. Toyota Supra Turbo, Mitsubishi, and most Lexus vehicles.
Will this can of spray harm my MAF sensor? Anyone else used it?
I got a can of spray; CRC Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner (No. 05110) and read through the steps on the back... #10 DO NOT use on vehicles with Karman-Vortex air flow sensor, e.g. Toyota Supra Turbo, Mitsubishi, and most Lexus vehicles.
Will this can of spray harm my MAF sensor? Anyone else used it?
Last edited by Galco; 11-03-16 at 08:48 PM.
#35
Just make sure to either reset the ECM or take the negative batter cable off and let it sit overnight after cleaning.
You wouldn't think it's necessary, but when I cleaned it, the car ran really crazy before I reset it. Really high idle, etc.
I have no idea why in some cases it's so sensitive, but I've also had the same story relayed from other people as well.
You wouldn't think it's necessary, but when I cleaned it, the car ran really crazy before I reset it. Really high idle, etc.
I have no idea why in some cases it's so sensitive, but I've also had the same story relayed from other people as well.
#37
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Nov 2016
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Thank you all. 2004 LS430 w "Check VSC", "Trac Off" and check engine light on. New air filter, gas cap and cleaned the MAF sensor and everything is good. The car was running fine but the VSC and Trac control were not functioning.
11/27: So far, so good. None of these problems have resurfaced after 4 weeks and at least 2 full tanks of gas. No real effect on fuel economy but that was not a problem before.
11/27: So far, so good. None of these problems have resurfaced after 4 weeks and at least 2 full tanks of gas. No real effect on fuel economy but that was not a problem before.
Last edited by JSJr; 11-29-16 at 02:25 PM.
#38
Thanks for your imput. I am certainly happy that so far your car is running better. However, If you would be so kind as to give us a report after driving for a few weeks or longer it would greatly help, as some of these so called resolves don't pan out and last. Diagnostics are quite complicated... and I'd rather be cautiously optimistic than elated with any fix. Please keep in touch with the forum and let us know how you do. Good luck to you.. Thanks.
#40
Instructor
That's not your MAF sensor, it's your IAT (intake air temperature) sensor. The MAF part of the sensor is deep inside that long plastic tube. Shine a flashlight up it and you will see 2 very thin wires at the top. Clean these with the CRC spray but don't touch them with the straw.
#41
More than likely, if you are driving with an original MAF, it pays (for the relatively small investment) to replace the MAF with a new Denso unit. After all, our cars are really old and everything in the engine bay not only is old but has been baking in an oven for all these years!
#42
That's not your MAF sensor, it's your IAT (intake air temperature) sensor. The MAF part of the sensor is deep inside that long plastic tube. Shine a flashlight up it and you will see 2 very thin wires at the top. Clean these with the CRC spray but don't touch them with the straw.
Last edited by Bsavage; 06-17-19 at 10:23 AM.
#43
Driver School Candidate
Another happy customer of CRC MAF Sensor cleaner
Used The CRC MAF Sensor cleaner to fix my P0171 and P0174 CEL codes.
CEL codes accompanying VSC OFF and TRAC OFF
Dirty Sensor
Cleaned Sensor
CEL codes accompanying VSC OFF and TRAC OFF
Dirty Sensor
Cleaned Sensor
#44
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
I noticed this week how different my LS felt compared to when I first got it. I floored it the other day and it just hesistated like crazy and also smelled nasty from the exhaust. After looking at this forum when I had previously cleaned my MAF, I had mainly cleaned that bulb, which apparently doesn't do a whole lot. I decided to clean the inside tube like mentioned, and a ton of black stuff came out. I guess it was super dirty. I also filled up with r1 fuel cleaner which I haven't done in over a year at least, and reset the ECU. The car feels much better now and its continuing to improve as I drive and the cleaner goes thru the system. I was debating just buying a new MAF, which I still may do, after all its a 17 year old car now.
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