27 replies to this topic

[hi. my name is AJ]

Hey guys, after checking for vacuum leaks, I replaced my current MAF sensor with a known bad sensor from a couple years back, and the car showed the same symptoms that I've been having, although at a much more frequent rate - sometimes weak acceleration, idle dips below 850 and then comes back up to idle.

So my hunch is that my current MAF sensor is starting to go bad. My question is this: If I buy a new MAF sensor, and it makes no difference in the performance of my vehicle, can I return it? If not, what are my other options? Thanks in advance.


- AJ

[Keaton85]

Um what?

[D s50r]

Uhhhh i second the what comment..... To answer ur 2nd question u can't return mass airflows well atleast not to a dealership you can't idk about aftermarket and why would u replace a bad mass air with another bad one?

Im thinking u might have a etm problem do u have a check engine light? Any codes can u post up more specifics of your issue

[hi. my name is AJ]

I don't understand what has you guys confused... I just asked if a MAF sensor is returnable. At least s50r attempted to help me out instead of leaving a pointless comment like Please Delete did.

[Keaton85]

One can ask what you ment.

If all you wanted was to ask if you could return a MAF sensor then why didn't you leave it as simple as that?

Don't be a d!nk to the people that can or could help you.

[andyb5]

To sum up what these guys are getting at:

Your best bet would be to see if anyone in the area (there a bunch of SoCal members who are pretty active, check the regional forums) has a known good MAF to see if that fixes your symptoms. If it doesn't, then you can eliminate your existing MAF as a problem and move on to others such as the ETM failing.

Also, how exactly did you check for vacuum leaks, and what exactly did you check when you did so?

[Keaton85]

Thanks! That translates perfectly haha

I just can't stand the arrogance, when all I was asking for is clarification to evaluate the situation better.

[andyb5]

Haha no worries, just trying to help out. Plus, the OP maybe gets to save a buck and a few rep points

[Dan A]

Or he could CALL the store and ask what their return policy is.

[Dan752]

i work at a volvo dealership i get cars in with these symptoms all the time. read the codes in the car and if you have MAF codes its most likely gonna be a clogged Oil Trap. I rarely see MAF sensors go bad.

[volvos70turbo99]

http://www.ebay.com/...4fcbfb2&vxp=mtr

cheap, good quality. do not buy cardone, they suck.

[Keaton85]

i work at a volvo dealership i get cars in with these symptoms all the time. read the codes in the car and if you have MAF codes its most likely gonna be a clogged Oil Trap. I rarely see MAF sensors go bad.

That's an epic fail of a post that I have ever seen!!

[Matty Moo]

http://www.ebay.com/...4fcbfb2&vxp=mtr

cheap, good quality. do not buy cardone, they suck.

I wouldn't buy any eBay or aftermarket MAF.

I had bought a case of 24 Aftermarket MAF's that I scored a killer deal on last year. They aren't the same, and that being said I didn't resell them on any of the forums. I relisted them on ebay and they went to South America.

[Keaton85]

I used one eBay MAF sensor on a 99, and it worked perfect. Might be better luck on te 99+ though as the 98s seem pretty sensitive to MAF and O2 sensors.

Hit or miss and probably not worth it.

[Dan752]

That's an epic fail of a post that I have ever seen!!

say what you wanna say, all i know is i get cars in all the time with the same problem and 99% of the time its a clogged Oil Trap.

[Dan752]

I guess some people dont understand how the pcv system on a car operates, and how it affects fuel trim I.E (mass air flow sensors) but i guess you would know everything. D!ink btw, its probably not a good idea to use your picture as an avatar.

[Ihatespeedbumps]

Typically all electrical items are not re-turnable once they have been installed, this of course includes the MAF. To be sure ask your parts guy before purchasing.

To the poster who said a clogged PCV system would cause the same symptoms as a failed MAF, you need to go back to school.

[Dan752]

Typically all electrical items are not re-turnable once they have been installed, this of course includes the MAF. To be sure ask your parts guy before purchasing.

To the poster who said a clogged PCV system would cause the same symptoms as a failed MAF, you need to go back to school.

This is the difference betwen a technician (ME) and a person who only reads magazines (YOU).

[ilovespeedbumps]

A Clogged PCV will show the same signs as a faulty MAF, you obviously dont understand how this system works. so Oh hush
A Clogged PCV will cause fuel trim issues, in turn can and will cause MAF codes, such symptoms include surging at idle, RPMS dip when coming to a stop, or just a Cheeck engine light, As matter of fact the most common DTC issued with a clogged PCV is a 251A Long Term Fuel trim upper limit. When you fault test that DTC it leads you straight to the MAF, but the MAF isnt the issue.

Do you need anymore lessons about Volvos and how they operate?
next time ill charge for my answer. BTW when you fix the PCV issue, its a good idea to reset the adaptives as well..

Typically all electrical items are not re-turnable once they have been installed, this of course includes the MAF. To be sure ask your parts guy before purchasing.

To the poster who said a clogged PCV system would cause the same symptoms as a failed MAF, you need to go back to school.

[Dan752]

A Clogged PCV will show the same signs as a faulty MAF, you obviously dont understand how this system works. so Oh hush
A Clogged PCV will cause fuel trim issues, in turn can and will cause MAF codes, such symptoms include surging at idle, RPMS dip when coming to a stop, or just a Cheeck engine light, As matter of fact the most common DTC issued with a clogged PCV is a 251A Long Term Fuel trim upper limit. When you fault test that DTC it leads you straight to the MAF, but the MAF isnt the issue.

Do you need anymore lessons about Volvos and how they operate?
next time ill charge for my answer. BTW when you fix the PCV issue, its a good idea to reset the adaptives as well..

FINALLY somebody is on the same page as me.