Can I test or repair a MAF sensor?

[Cat Fuzz]

Holy crap those things are pricey. I want to make sure that its the problem before dropping the dough. 95 Merc Tracer 1.9L got a 157 code and a 214 code. MAF sensor voltage low and cylinder ID circuit faulty. The thing is very hard starting and idles a bit rough. Might be some power loss too, but I wouldn't know, its not my car. Any help is appreciated.

[ModMech]

They should cost under $100. They are VERY durable, so if you can get one cheaper from a recycler, do it.

You can't just check resistance or anything really, they can be cleaned though, and when they get dirty the engines run very lean (buck, no power etc).

[97chevyman]

well, is what i did. Get a vacume tester, one which you can pump and create vacume. Now do down to autozone or a local shop, have them connect their computer to it. Take out your MAF sensor and create a vacume in the end, look at the gauge on the vaume tester and the number on the computer and see if they are one in the same.

[97chevyman]

sorry, dumb answer, thought i saw map sensor. If they are bad not really, those little wires break or just go bad, new sensor.