MAF Sensor Question

[JaegerHunter]

So my my check engine light came on in my 97 Cobra for the MAF sensor so I changed it along with the air filter. The check engine went away but now the car feels sluggish and has a slightly delayed throttle. If I blipped the throttle it would drop rpms before going up and it also idles lower and smoother now. I don't know if it's still trying to learn or if something else is going on. Anyone know?

 

[ttocs]

did you get a stock replacement maf?

 

[JaegerHunter]

did you get a stock replacement maf?

I just got the Bluestreak one at o'reillys

 

[07GtS197]

When it comes to maf sensors for these cars, I stick with oem. Even if I have to get a used one I’ll do it. Aftermarket sensors just don’t work well for whatever reason.

 

[Miltoid]

Always try cleaning the maf before you replace it. 90% of the time that's the problem. Try cleaning the old one and reinstall it to see if it makes a difference.

 

[I_LIKE_TURTLEZ]

1. Your car's computer can't tell you what's wrong with it, only that it *thinks* it sees an issue. Sometimes there isn't one.
2. A small vacuum leak often causes MAF codes, you didn't specify whether it was a performance or circuit fault.
3. Verify power, ground, reference signal at the MAF connector before you go firing the parts cannon.
4. See step 3, you created a new problem by installing Chinesium junk that was never going to work properly.
5. As Miltoid stated, clean the original sensor because that's usually the issue.



Replying here in case anyone else might see it, always.. ALWAYS use the OE manufacturer when it comes to a sensor of any kind, new doesn't mean good.

 

[96blak54]

Truth be told, the auto parts store parts quality with the new stuff these days is trash and if you need to replace a component, replace one at a time then observe response before considering success

 

[Mustang5L5]

When it comes to maf sensors for these cars, I stick with oem. Even if I have to get a used one I’ll do it. Aftermarket sensors just don’t work well for whatever reason.

Same. Current offering of aftermarket sensors are terrible. I'd trust an OEM part off Ebay or out of the junkyard over most of the aftermarker offerings these days.

 

[I_LIKE_TURTLEZ]

Truth be told, the auto parts store parts quality with the new stuff these days is trash and if you need to replace a component, replace one at a time then observe response before considering success

Same. Current offering of aftermarket sensors are terrible. I'd trust an OEM part off Ebay or out of the junkyard over most of the aftermarker offerings these days.

Spot on, gentleman. This started in 2020 with the manufacturing halts. It used to be that part store brands were decent, maybe 1 in 80 parts would be faulty out of the box. Today it's as bad as 1 in 5 out of the box with electronics.

I kid you not I tried 2 different "new" throttle position sensors on a customer's vehicle last week that were OL out of the box, store brand.
After that I finally talked the customer into paying a little more for an OEM, that worked perfectly.

It's important to note that even if aftermarket stuff technically functions when installed, they're most often not calibrated for your specific vehicle whereas the OEM will be. I'm sure that's what happened to the OP.

 

[ttocs]

I would be mindful that the dealer you get your OEM parts from on ebay or online in general is an authorized retailer for them. They make the knockoffs good enough that it is hard to tell.