P0101

[TimmyGTP02]

I have a 2002 GTP and am having yet another problem with the MAF. On my way home from work on Friday the car killed, then started back up and ran rough but got it into the garage. I then had this P0101 and P0102 code pop up. I've replaced my MAF twice up to this point and it was doing the same thing as this so I went and got another one (From a recycled auto parts store) and plugged it in and it was still not running quite right. So I unplugged it and it ran fine for about 15 seconds until it started chugging and running really bad and had a nasty sulfur/rotten egg smell. I cleaned the MAF up and put it back in and it ran pretty dang good for about 5-10 minutes.
So I turned it off and waited a while and then took it for a drive with my scanner. Got about a mile down the road and it killed. So I scanned it and the P0101 came back plus the P0171 I believe which says it's running too lean or something like that. I had to clear the codes in order for the car to actually start and after that happened 3 times I finally got home.
Do you think this is just a case of getting a bad MAF or is there some other problem since the car didn't run very well and smelled terrible with the MAF unplugged? I'm just so ready to kick my car!
Any input is greatly appreciated!

Tim

[TimmyGTP02]

By the way, the P0101 says Mass air flow sensor circuit, range or performance problem. P0102 says Mass air flow sensor circuit, low input. Sorry for not saying that earlier, had to find my stupid book again.

[Tech II]

Do you have a scan tool or code reader?

If it idles bad, is there any difference if you shut car off, disconnect the MAF, and start the car?

After market MAF's are one of the worst components I have seen....they are usually rebuilts.....I have taken them out of the box, and the car wouldn't start, or they failed within days.....

Usually, with a scan tool, reading MAF data(either gms/sec or HZ), will show a bad sensor....the reading will be erratic or have jumps, especially when you lightly tap the sensor.....

Another problem could be the harness connector(loose contacts) or a broken wire in the harness itself making intermittant contact(this usually happens on improperly routed harnesses with no slack).....

[TimmyGTP02]

I only have a code reader. I didn't try starting the car with the MAF unplugged, only while it was running. These sensors are garbage, I'll have no problem agreeing with that. I looked at the wire harness and everything looked okay from the plug going back to the main group of wires. I'll try later to start the car with the sensor unplugged and let you know. Right now it's off to work

[TimmyGTP02]

So I started the car without the MAF plugged in and it ran better but not top notch. The codes obviously game back on (P0101,P0102) and while it was running I cleared them and the car killed. Not sure if that means anything or not. What I was wondering about was could this be the Cat. converter by any chance? If it's plugged? The smells that will come from the car are pretty nasty like sulfur or rotten eggs, I think I said that before. The reason I wonder that is because I did kick the car down to pass someone about 5 minutes before the car died the first time. I can't remember if I said that or not in my first post. If it could be the Cat. would any codes pop up or is that just if the O2 sensor by the Cat fails?

[TimmyGTP02]

UPDATE:

So I had to bite the bullet and get a brand new MAF and now the car runs like a champ. Just goes to show I guess sometimes trying to save a little cash by getting used parts from the junk yard isn't the best option, at least with this type of part.