Anyone know of any troubleshooting tips before I spend $185 on a rebuilt MAFS? Mechanic cleaned throttle plates and it's giving a code 34 on the computer.

Never had to deal with anything this technical.

All Posts will be helpful.

Before I would spend that kind of money, I would clear the codes (unhook battery for a few minutes or use a scan tool) and see if it comes back. Sometimes a intermitent code can come up due to either another sensor acting up or something as simple as this. If the car is running well and code does not reappear I would not worry about it. Were you getting this before the cleaning??

A friend of mine suggested the disconnecting of the battery and this was occuring before the mechanic looked at it. I disconnected the battery a few times, still get the "check engine soon" light intermitantly. Not on all the time. Even when it's on, sometimes it runs fine?

Any further ideas?

Thanks

Sounds like a real problem then. If you are getting the check engine light at all it is a problem.The problem with these "codes" is that they don't tell you a lot of time what is wrong. Only gives you a starting place. In many cases when you look at a service manual it will give you 2,3,or more circumstances than can cause a code to set. Only means that conditons were right for a code to set. On some sensors it means the item is failing, but it could also mean other items ie. broken wires, dirt etc are causing it. I don't have a service manual on this car, so my advice is to get a Chilton or Haynes (as actual GM manuals are preferred but expensive) and read what it says. You should have one of these anyway. It may list some things you can check yourself first. Perhaps another member can help.

how about scanning your car while driving it to make sure the MAF is running between 3/gm a sec to 150/g sec if its not doins so when you are idling, accelarating, or deaccelearting you need a new one. You didnt say your engine but im guessing 3.3 and its very common to go thru one of these every few years with these cars.

Thanks, yeah I guess I should invest a little into the manual. The car is in great shape. Driven by a family for years. I would like to keep it due to the size and comfort of ride. Will take your advice and get the manual.

Try cleaning the MAF sensor. It could be just covered with gunk and not able to detect proper amount of air flow to the intake.

Disconnect the battery for a few minutes to reset the Code.

Hey, where were you a couple of days ago!!! only kidding...bought one from the junk yard for $30, but will check out the other one first and see if i can clean it. If so, I still got a spare, eh? Thanks.

actually i wasnt telling you to buy the manual, I was telling you to scan your car using a scan tool that lets you monitor your MAF as your driving and if your voltages are accurate that will let you know if its that sensor or another of the 5 upstream it could be. Get a obd 1 scan tool digital ($100 or so) but hey yes you do have a spare trust me youll need it. 180K and three mafs later i can tell ya

Well I need a manual anyways. I'll call the auto store or dealership and see if they have that scan tool in stock. Got a BRAND NEW MAFS on ebay the other day too for $111.70! Great deal. Thanks for the help.

there ya go. Ive been researching other ways to bypass MAF's it is possible to do a speed density conversion done that lets car go w/o maf but it takes a lot of research and new memcal burned but hey altogether its cheaper then a new MAF ill let ya know how that turns out too! Good idea about the scan tool get one with a GM cable you wont be sorry especially once the miles get up there your car may start having other problems due to age of a few sensors and a scan tool can save you a lot of money in repairs. Perfect for mon car as your driving it can give you sensor voltages, tell you if your tranny is shifting good, let you know if your battery voltage is alright or too high etc... good for troubleshooting.


I used mine on a friends car the other day and he was prepared to buy a new computer and possibly an engine cuz his car was giving him trouble, we monitored his car while driving and replaced just two sensors and now his car runs like new and ready to go another 100K,lol,