Thread: Car died in traffic, won't stay running.

Best way to tell really quick if it is a bad MAF is unplug it. If the car runs better, it is the MAF. If the car runs the same or worse, probably not the MAF.

Try it and see. Very quick check. Did this on my dad's NA bonneville and he was amazed that it worked and correctly diagnosed the MAF sensor.

Originally Posted by Zef_66

Best way to tell really quick if it is a bad MAF is unplug it. If the car runs better, it is the MAF. If the car runs the same or worse, probably not the MAF.

Try it and see. Very quick check. Did this on my dad's NA bonneville and he was amazed that it worked and correctly diagnosed the MAF sensor.

Not sure what you mean by "same or worse." It's never run "bad" before this happened. My Impala runs better, but it's also a 2004 vs. 2000, has less mileage, and I had previous maintenance records for the Impala that showed the previous owner kept up. The GP? I got nothing regarding records, and in fact I'm fairly confident the seller had someone clear the check engine light that came on while my wife drove it home. That was only a bad t-stat, but still, if you don't fix a check engine line, you're unlikely to have done the regular maintenance. Kind of hoping it's just dirty fuel filter, and I'll end up paying mainly for labor, not parts.

Originally Posted by Deezul_AwT

Not sure what you mean by "same or worse." It's never run "bad" before this happened. My Impala runs better, but it's also a 2004 vs. 2000, has less mileage, and I had previous maintenance records for the Impala that showed the previous owner kept up. The GP? I got nothing regarding records, and in fact I'm fairly confident the seller had someone clear the check engine light that came on while my wife drove it home. That was only a bad t-stat, but still, if you don't fix a check engine line, you're unlikely to have done the regular maintenance. Kind of hoping it's just dirty fuel filter, and I'll end up paying mainly for labor, not parts.

When I say "same or worse" I mean, right now, your car won't stay running. If you pull the plug and disconnect the MAF sensor, and try to start your car, does it do the same thing and not stay running? Or does it run better? If it runs better, then the MAF is most likely the culprit. If there is no change in how the car is running from before you pulled the plug on the MAF, then look for something else.

Oh, and unplug the MAF when the car is not running.

Originally Posted by Zef_66

When I say "same or worse" I mean, right now, your car won't stay running. If you pull the plug and disconnect the MAF sensor, and try to start your car, does it do the same thing and not stay running? Or does it run better? If it runs better, then the MAF is most likely the culprit. If there is no change in how the car is running from before you pulled the plug on the MAF, then look for something else.

Oh, and unplug the MAF when the car is not running.

Didn't have a chance to check it out yesterday due to weather, so I might stop by and try again tonight. Just called the shop and they haven't taken it in yet. I'll probably still leave the car there even if it is the MAF, just to have them check out other electrical/gas issues.