Problems with MAF Sensor

I'm having the same sensor issue with my Buick. We replaced the MAF sensor once (remanufatured one from AutoZone) and it is still spitting and sputtering but only sometimes. The fuel mileage is way down compared to what the previous owners stated about the car. Also, the car will flutter up 500 rpm's when you let off the accelerator when it idles down to about 1000 rpms. It seems like it just drops to 1000 rpms instantly when you let off the accelerator and then flutters up 500 or so for awhile as the car slows down.

Welcome to AF.

Your post was moved from Chevy Impala to Buick Non-Specific due to the age of the old thread posted in and since you mentioned Buick.

What year and model Buick?

It is not uncommon to get a flaky MAF sensor replacement part, especially if an AZ A1-Cardone and some other brands. What does it do with the MAF sensor disconnected? Normally, you shoud have full drivebility with the exception the idle may be erratic until the engine warms up. Any MAF DTC error codes with SES/CEL light?

I'm having the same sensor issue with my Buick. We replaced the MAF sensor once (remanufatured one from AutoZone) and it is still spitting and sputtering but only sometimes. The fuel mileage is way down compared to what the previous owners stated about the car. Also, the car will flutter up 500 rpm's when you let off the accelerator when it idles down to about 1000 rpms. It seems like it just drops to 1000 rpms instantly when you let off the accelerator and then flutters up 500 or so for awhile as the car slows down.
As Bob said these are typical maf symptoms, follow his diagnostic tests/suggestions for a proper conclusion to the problem.

Thanks for replying. The code that comes up is P0102 which is the MAF low circuit input code. That code actually has 4 possibilites in the book. I'm getting disputed answers from the AutoZone guys. One says it could be any of the codes, the other says (from a different store) that since it says 2 codes on the reader that it can only be one of the first 2 codes... I guess the reasoning is 1 code, it's the first one, 2 codes, it could be either of the first two, 3 codes... etc. Sometimes the car runs fine and sometimes not. The rpms are still fluttering when I let off the accelerator. Is it possible to reset the SES light on my own and then unplug the MAF sensor to see if it comes back on then? Thanks for your help sir.

Based on my experiences the P0102 DTC is consistently a bad MAF sensor. The PCM module has detected the MAF is generating a low frequency of less than 1200 Hz which is clearly abnormal.

The best thing to do is disconnect the MAF and then test driveability. The idle will be erratic until the engine warms up. Other than that it should drive as normal. You could reset the DTC and SES light and run with MAF disconnected but the DTC may return since the MAF is disconnected but not always. To reset you will need an odb-ii scanner or although no guarantee this will work disconnect the battery negative for a few hours.

Many of us with SII 3800s have been in a similar situation. The key is to get a known good MAF sensor before you decide to run it off a cliff.

I realize this post was from 2006 but i was wondering what the outcome was with the problem. My 3.8l impala is doing the same thing. Had the mechanic take a look at and they ended up putting a new connector on the sensor. Anyho 1 day later the light was back on with the same symptoms. took it back and watched the mechanic wiggle the connector while it was hooked up to the obd2 computer. when he wiggled it the sensor would occasionaly read 0. so we figured it was the sensor itself, i replaced that with a remanufatured one and it was good for a month then the light came on again. so i figured it was the connector again. i ended up bending the pins slightly on the sensor to try to make better contact, this worked for a few days. now the light came back on once again and not wanting to beleive the sensor is bad again i went to the dealer to buy a new connector ($36). you guessed it, still have the same problem. just curious as to how you fixed this on your regal . thanks

I realize this post was from 2006 but i was wondering what the outcome was with the problem. My 3.8l impala is doing the same thing. Had the mechanic take a look at and they ended up putting a new connector on the sensor. Anyho 1 day later the light was back on with the same symptoms. took it back and watched the mechanic wiggle the connector while it was hooked up to the obd2 computer. when he wiggled it the sensor would occasionaly read 0. so we figured it was the sensor itself, i replaced that with a remanufatured one and it was good for a month then the light came on again. so i figured it was the connector again. i ended up bending the pins slightly on the sensor to try to make better contact, this worked for a few days. now the light came back on once again and not wanting to beleive the sensor is bad again i went to the dealer to buy a new connector ($36). you guessed it, still have the same problem. just curious as to how you fixed this on your regal . thanks

What DTC are you getting and what brand remanufactured MAF was installed?

the code is P0102. The sensor was the refurbished cardone brand. i'm thinking the sensor went bad again.

the code is P0102. The sensor was the refurbished cardone brand. i'm thinking the sensor went bad again.

The MAF is putting out a bad low frequency signal below the threshold the PCM module will accept as normal. I had the same problem in our '99 Regal LS/SII 3800. However, I went through 2 reman Cardone brands. Cardone went out of business. Autozone decided to give me a refund so that worked out. Then I went to a local salvage yard and got an OEM/GM one (pull) of a similar year/model Regal. $40.00.

99% of the time the P0102 DTC is consistent with a bad MAF sensor.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Thanks for the info. This has been driving me crazy. I'll let you know how it goes.

I ended up taking mine to the local GM dealer. Their analysis was the same code but they spliced in a new connection and it has worked fine since. No light, no code, no sputtering/stalling. I have noticed that my fuel mileage seems to beless than what the guy I bought it off of said he was getting. Not sure what i should be expecting on that but the car seems to be running fine now. They said it was the small pins that are in the connection that weren't making the circuit right.

Thanks for the info. This has been driving me crazy. I'll let you know how it goes.

Any luck or updates?

Is your Engine Light still on? I'm getting the same thing with my Impala. But my Engine light only came on one time, and at that time it gave me the same code P0102.

On buying new MAF where would be the best place to buy them.

Mine is still working fine... the fuel mileage seems less than it should be but the car runs fine as far as i know.

Don;t buy one from AutoZone from what I've heard in the forum.. I'd pick NAPA or Car Quest maybe.