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How to detect a bad MAF sensor?

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Old 01-16-2017, 12:30 AM
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How to detect a bad MAF sensor?

I think my mass airflow is bad. My friend u plugged it last night while the car was on & the car didn't bug out, it styed at a calm idle. He said the car shouldn't do that. I took his word for it, but would like more people's opinion. Thanks in advance
Old 01-16-2017, 12:42 AM
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Did you have a check light prior to unplugging the MAF?
Old 01-16-2017, 09:00 AM
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Yeah it does have a check engine light, that came up ever since I put my down pipe on. I believe it's there because of the 02 sensor. I put it under auto zones computer and it says system running too lean twice.
Old 01-16-2017, 09:14 AM
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What are the actual code numbers?
Old 01-16-2017, 09:22 AM
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I can't remember right now off the top of my head, but I do remember that my friends cumptet would read p1001, and the autozone one ran 3 different ones
Old 01-16-2017, 10:45 AM
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You mean P0101? If it is P0101 you need to do a boost leak test
Old 01-16-2017, 12:03 PM
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Well so far I'm boosting more when I replaced the MAF. With the older one I wouldn't pass 7lbs, now with the new one in peaking at 15 which is still bad considering I have a downpipe, whole new intercooler set & Intake. I think it is a boost leak but no shop here has the smoke tester. I'm considering buying one and having my local mechanic do it for me.
Old 01-16-2017, 12:14 PM
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https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-...ss-lnf-223319/
Old 01-16-2017, 12:42 PM
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It's not stock tho,would it be the same process?
Old 01-16-2017, 12:59 PM
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yes
Old 01-16-2017, 07:12 PM
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Boost leak
Old 01-16-2017, 07:24 PM
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The car doesnt need the maf to idle, your friend is wrong
Old 01-17-2017, 09:02 AM
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15 psi sounds normal for a stock cobalt. Have you cleared the codes and checked again to see what pops up with the new MAF in place?
Old 01-17-2017, 09:08 AM
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I did clear the codes, just haven't had a chance to check them. I'm off the next two days so I'll take a trip to my friends house to check there as well as the autozone. I'm just gonna hve to build a homemade smoke tester and see what happens if it keeps up.
Old 01-17-2017, 09:14 AM
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just so you know, downpipe isnt going to have an impact on your boost. The intercooler might make the max psi take longer to achieve but not really. The intake could increase airflow and actually lower the boost as the car will want to maintain the 260 hp target. If your cars not tuned, your not going to see an increase in boost beyond what the weather does to it.
Old 01-17-2017, 09:33 AM
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Oh I know DP doesn't increase boost, I just mentioned that ever since I got it the service engine light cane on. The car isn't tuned which is why is not running hard but boosting 7lbs just wasn't acceptable, it felt like it was slower than the car when it was stock. Now that o replaced the MAF it's boosting 15lbs but still doesn't hve much of a pull to it & the intake squeals a lot! Aside from maybe a boost leak I think something is going on with the I take.
Old 01-17-2017, 09:55 AM
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Intakes shouldn't suddenly start squealing, you need to do a boost leak and check the turbo for shaft play.
Old 01-17-2017, 11:26 AM
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I'll get back to you guys once I start checking those things. I should be able to do it tomorrow Thanks again for the help and suggestions
Old 01-17-2017, 11:31 AM
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Yeah if you just put on an intercooler and an intake, and you didnt have this issue before. Chances are somethings loose.
Old 01-17-2017, 11:39 AM
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I honestly think it's my intKe. Me & my friend messed around and did a custom intake. We pretty much cuz the stock one and just added a big filter from autozone & left everything else the same. I noticed problems after that. I've been holding off on getting a brand new intake since their so expensive.
Old 01-17-2017, 12:07 PM
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There is your problem. The car is MAF controlled at high air loads. Find a stock intake on one of the cobalt parts selling pages on FB then get it back to a stock box or if you can find an after market great. Otherwise you're risking serious damage.
Old 01-17-2017, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by KINGMAROSS
I honestly think it's my intKe. Me & my friend messed around and did a custom intake. We pretty much cuz the stock one and just added a big filter from autozone & left everything else the same. I noticed problems after that. I've been holding off on getting a brand new intake since their so expensive.
K&N intakes pretty good. Should have left the stock airbox alone though.
Old 01-17-2017, 01:38 PM
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Yeah, I've been having a bad feeling about it ever since I did it. I'm willing to find a stock one until I get a k&n intake. They are going for $279+ on eBay. No luck on stock ones tho. This is my first turbo car so I figured I could mess around with it like I did with my camaro's, but I definitely shouldn't and learned my lesson lol.
Old 01-17-2017, 03:46 PM
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when my maf took a crap, the car wouldnt idle right it would surge and then die..
Old 01-18-2017, 03:48 PM
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When my maf was bad my car would randomly go into boost at normal driving, about a pound or 2, speed up and slow down, especially against wind



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