Newbie Stang owner - Fighting High Idle (how can i test MAF?
Hey all - just picked up a '95 3.8L w/ 115K miles on it for pretty cheap. I'm trying to diagnose some issues the car has. One thing - very high idle. When i bought the car, it had a SES light on. Pulledonly onecode - it was p0340 (cam sensor error). I cleared the code, and it has yet to come back, so i'm guessing it's a fluke. The car idles between 2-3K rpms. I took apart the air intake system. The throttle body was filthy - cleaned that out, and nothing's helped. I took the Idle Air Control valve off, and it too was all carboned up. I took it off, attempted to clean it, and it was so brittle it just disintegrated. Went and bought a new one - no difference. Car idles around 3K. Started to think about the Mass air flow sensor. Took it out, cleaned it carefully with q-tips& carb cleaner - put all back on, no change. If i disconnect the MAF sensor, and start the car, it will run, but it idles so slowly that it almost dies. I'm thinking it's the MAF, but i have no way of testing it, and they're pretty costly. one other test i did (just to try something else), i left everything hooked up, and i put a piece of plate metal between the IAC valve and the throttle body (blocking the IAC valve completely), and the car ran great. SO - my conclusion, something is telling the computer (MAF sensor, i believe) to open the IAC, thus making the car idle fast. Does anyone know of any way to test the MAF sensor before purchasing a new one? I have no problem going to buy a new one, but if that's not it, i'm not sure i can return the MAF, since it's electrical. Does anyone have any ideas? Any help is MUCH appreciated! Thank you!
Bryan
Sponsored Links
This ad is not displayed to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Mustang Forums!
RE: Newbie Stang owner - Fighting High Idle (how can i test MAF?
ahh thats a tough one. well u did everything that i would have done. it does really sound like its the maf. i dont really know how to go about testing them but the only thing i can think of is to see if you can get one from a junk yard. maybe just as for a stock intake and hopefully you could get it for around 50 bux or so and try that. if your careful with the new one you can claim u never used it if that ends up not being the problem but since you already have a new iac on there i would say it is def the maf
RE: Newbie Stang owner - Fighting High Idle (how can i test MAF?
Cleaning the MAF with anything other than electrical contact cleaner or MAF cleaner is a no no.
Touching the MAF wires with anything is also a no no. Doing both of those will cause it to run out of callibration.
Over time airborne deposites will coat the wires and they will need cleaned.
AutoZone sells a MAF cleaner for $6.75 and its worth it.
Being that there is a chance that you already caused some harm to your MAF I would just get a new one. Still buy the cleaner for the new maf, if its NEW NEW and not a salvage part then you dont need the cleaner.
I would also run Seafoam through the system both in gas, crankcase and through a vacuume line.
You should also check to see if there is a coolant smell coming from the exhaust, check your fuild levels and make sure they arent dropping. A leak in the head gasket can cause the car to compensate with over idle.
As for the CAM sensor, change it.As soon as you get 1 error it is wise to change the part that gave you that error.
You bought one of the two worst years for mustang (As I did, so dont feel bad :P )
94/95 hadso many problems and theworst being head and head gasket issues.
94/95 also uses EEC-IV instead of EEC-V like 96-04 uses. Which isnt abig deal for people who dont like hand held tuners and most OBD-II reader compatability, but I like those options so I have EEC-IV
Best of luck with everything. Ihope it works out fine.
RE: Newbie Stang owner - Fighting High Idle (how can i test MAF?
hey guys - thanks for the replies. AZ has a MAF for 69.99 (after core return), so i'm sure it's a reman, but i think i may give that a try. Never thought about the carb cleaner vs MAF. i'll avoid that in the future and grab that MAF cleaner when i get the new MAF. if the new one doesn't solve it, i'll attempt a return and look elsewhere... I really don'tthink i'll do the cam sensoruntil i get the code once more - but thank you for the suggestion. I didn't "pick" this stang out - kinda just "popped" up. not my first choice, but for $400 i couldnt pass it up!! it's in great shape (needs a cleaning), and the only thing wrong is this high idle, and a leaky exhaust... thanks again for the comments!! any more ideas are greatly appreciated!
RE: Newbie Stang owner - Fighting High Idle (how can i test MAF?
just want to say good goin with the 95, not to many of us here.Im not sure whats going on with yours as Ive never had this problem. But if youdo need help or suggestions for your car let me know.<i know, shameless post>
RE: Newbie Stang owner - Fighting High Idle (how can i test MAF?
Hey guys - I had another thought. It regards a possible vacuum leak. What led me to start thinking this, is that i performed a test on the MAF as seen on AZ's website: http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d801dd3cc.jsp
My voltage coming from my MAF was 1.75 volts - perfectly in range as to what it should be. So i laid in bed last night wondering what else could be giving me a high idle. Couple things I failed to mention, is that the Cruise control doesn't work, nor does the heater/air cond selector (only blows out the defrost vents). If i had a vacuum leak, that might wipe out all those things. BUT, i do have good power brakes still. Anyone have any thoughts about this? I may repost this as a separate thread, since not many people may see this buried under the MAF title. Anyone with any thoughts or suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Newbie Stang owner - Fighting High Idle (how can i test MAF?
