Service engine light and sputtering??

I was out driving around this afternoon for Christmas. After about the 3rd store I noticed my service engine soon light on. I started watching my temperature and it seemed fine so I pulled into a parking lot and shut it down and cranked it back up. Now the light was still on and my low fuel light stayed on as well. 79 mile range left. Started heading home sitting in traffic and it almost felt like it was going to stall but it didnt. Kinda jerked a little, scared the crap out of me. Pulled over again and put fuel in and checked under the hood. Fuel light went off. I got back on the road and right away my car started acting up. Sputtering and then would run fine, then clunk again and then fine again. I am not feeling to good about it. Anyone got any idea what I'm in for...thnx

Get the car scanned to see what code is retained in the computer. Trying to guess at this point would be a mistake. Once you get the code post it and someone will help you out.

OK, I went to Auto Zone. The code was P0102 MAF circuit low. So I bought a Haynes Repair Manual and got a price on the MAF. The guy also showed me a little pocket book that he had and there were 4 or 5 other possibilities. I didnt write them down, I wanted to get you guys thoughts first. The guy did tell me that it might not be my MAF when he showed me that book.

I hope I can get it running easily. It is nice out and I washed it yesterday.

Thanks

The DTC actually means the MAF sensor is putting out a low frequency to the PCM of less than around 1500 Hz. Normally it is a defective MAF sensor and they are not cheap. You can try cleaning the MAF element with electrical contact cleaner and may be able to salvage it. I would highly recommend not getting an aftermarket replacement because they are typically remanufactured. Autozone's A1 Cardone brand is garbage and prone to being bad out of the box.

Lets say cleaning it doesnt work, any recommedations where I should go. NAPA, Advanced Auto?

Auto Zone wants 127 and 86 core charge... I wont buy it there because you say its junk. I dont mind paying for it if it is going to be good. Alsowill the service engine light go off when its working properly or will I have to get it reset somewhere?

Lets say cleaning it doesnt work, any recommedations where I should go. NAPA, Advanced Auto?

Auto Zone wants 127 and 86 core charge... I wont buy it there because you say its junk. I dont mind paying for it if it is going to be good.


I think what bnaylor was telling you is.
OEM dealer parts only hurt one time. :grinyes: :grinno: :lol:
Most after market electrical stuff like MAF sensors are rebuilt and a lot of times different after market parts places will have the same rebuilt brand of parts.
They are a hit and miss deal. sometimes they work and sometimes they do not.
Go to your dealer and get a new OEM sensor if you want to fix it right the first time.
MT

Personally I would go with GM OEM probably at the dealer or an AC Delco Authorized Parts Store or even a pull off a similar year and model GP at the salvage yard. If you need to get her up and running then try NAPA but make sure it is not an A1 Cardone reman.

Too bad you have a '98 GTP because ZZP has the best deals on new GM OEM MAF sensors but I believe it was for '99 and up only. Around $119.99.

BTW - Disconnect the MAF sensor connector and see what it does. You may be able to drive it.

I understand now. I do want to put the right one the first time. The car drove without any problems when I took it to Auto zone. The light was on though. I will go get one at the dealer tomorrow. That one for 127 was remanufactured they want 174 for a new one. Just for the record I love my vehicals and only want them to run the best. I'm just a little naive when it comes to things like this. To be honest I didnt really think of the dealers parts were any dif. than Auto Zone ect...The dealership it is for me...

Well my GTP is up and running again. I took the advice and stayed away from cardone remanufatured. I went to the dealership and they gave me a price of $232 for the MAF, and in the same sentence told me I would not be able to bring it back because its electrical part. OK, so I thought about it and didnt want to get stuck with something that didnt work. I went to there service dept. and got a price to install the MAF. $123 to do the install and a guarantee on the MAF, $123 to install..LMFAO...So I said screw you and went to NAPA were I bought a brand new Maxlife MAF for $154. I went home to put this little piece of expensive plastic in and I didnt have the tamper resistant tork bit. I ran up to Autozone and purchased a 8 piece set for $9.99 and headed back home. I swear to God right now that it took me less then 5 minutes to change this out. Less then 5 minutes..Can someone please explain to me how a dealership can justify $123 for this instal that took me no time to do it...


No more dealership for me ever....

Good news. Important thing is you got up her up and running. DIY will save you money, period.

Don't feel bad Stealership rip off is common no matter where you live. I had a problem the last few days with my wife's Regal LS where the high beams were not staying engaged when you pull back on the stalk. The high beam lamps were coming on fine. I took it to the Buick dealer to price a multifunction switch and out of curiosity how much to R&R it. Total quote with part and labor was around $500. I replaced the MFS myself last night in about 90 minutes total time including doing a nice tie wrap job on the wiring harnesses. Didn't even have to remove the airbag or steering wheel either. I got the pull part from the local salvage yard for $65.00.

Nothing worse than a Stealership trying to ruin your X-Mas. :rolleyes:

I am not to sour about it. I like the idea of working on my own vwehicals. I'm just not that good at it, yet. Its amazing, I can wire a 14,000 sq. ft. house to hell and back but I get scared of a little MAF. lol.

Thanks for all the help guys. All the info was very usefull...I will have to wait until after Christmas to get my repair manual. My money tree isnt working.:frown:

Well my GTP is up and running again. I took the advice and stayed away from cardone remanufatured. I went to the dealership and they gave me a price of $232 for the MAF, and in the same sentence told me I would not be able to bring it back because its electrical part. OK, so I thought about it and didnt want to get stuck with something that didnt work. I went to there service dept. and got a price to install the MAF. $123 to do the install and a guarantee on the MAF, $123 to install..LMFAO...So I said screw you and went to NAPA were I bought a brand new Maxlife MAF for $154. I went home to put this little piece of expensive plastic in and I didnt have the tamper resistant tork bit. I ran up to Autozone and purchased a 8 piece set for $9.99 and headed back home. I swear to God right now that it took me less then 5 minutes to change this out. Less then 5 minutes..Can someone please explain to me how a dealership can justify $123 for this instal that took me no time to do it...
No more dealership for me ever....


I think part of that price was the guarantee install. :grinyes:
They would have to run a diagnostic test on it first and then install it and then recheck it after install to make sure things worked OK.
Not sure bout there labor rate but a job like that with the guarantee install would take them 1 hr - 1 and 1/2 hrs.
Just installing it like you done is a piece of cake.
But you took the risk of it not fixing the problem and came out on top.
Glad it worked out good.
And thanks for posting back how it went.