So I get a code for the maf occasionally so I finally decided to change it. Car ran like complete garbage, couldn't even give it gas. Put the old one back in....runs like a champ. I did not buy an oem maf, but it was the same PN.

 

the sequence of your activity is pretty hard to follow/understand from the post!


i'm reading this as, you had maf issues that didn't go away once NEW maf was installed. but once the OLD one was re-isntalled the world was right again. if true, that is a riddle.

 

That's what I read also. DOesn't make sense.

 

Well, one explanation is while the replacement MAF has the same "PN" as the old MAF it is not the same as the old MAF, it is not the right MAF.

Did you confirm the PN on the new MAF was the same as the PN on the old MAF?

If the MAF's are truely identical the behavior suggests when you connected the new MAF there was a problem with its electrical connection.

There is yet another possible explanation for the new MAF's behavior: It is defective out of the box.

What error codes are you reading from the DME that point to the MAF being the problem?

 

$5 says it was a knockoff MAF and man some of those are complete junk, worse are the counterfeits that have everything but the hologram sticker on them and I'm betting that isn't far behind. MAF are a great idea as direct sensing airflow is good for fuel calcs but they tend to be sensitive, restrictive, and have a limited flow range that we exceed on these cars somewhat easily. Yes, MAF are a PITA...

 

Thought it was pretty clear.
1. Got a maf code
2. Replaced maf
3. Car ran horrible
4. Put back in original maf
5. Car runs normal

Only thing I did not mention is the car always ran perfect, but got the maf code occasionally, so I just changed it for the ****s of it.

 

The reason in changing it is because I'm chasing the psm abs lights that come on under boost. Maf was the last thing to check before I said f it, I don't care anymore.

 

I believe this is the reason for your troubles. You likely installed a Chinese knockoff MAF. In 5 years of tracking these cars, I've never had any issues whatsoever with a genuine article Bosch MAF. Zero... A solid tune with the correct hardware and a genuine MAF should not give you any trouble.

 

I guess I'll give an oem one a try.

 

Yes OEM from reputable source.

 

i'm with hound on this one, if there's even a "chance" you've installed a maf other than a bosch OEM 124.00? get rid of it asap. even though "986boxter" part is purported to be exactly the same? i wont even mess with that!

stay away from knockoff mafs!

 

have a newly-available Bremi MAF running in a 996tt right now, seems to be good so far, about 1/3-1/2 the price of the Bosch

 

i keep forgetting the bremi as an oem an option, since it ptobably is! but then i haven't fried a maf even with a raised limiter since i got rid of the oiled flat panel filter. i wonder if there is a coincidence? this last bosch has been in for at least five years trouble free. ( now watch lol)

 

I can promise you the oiled filter element WILL lead to MAF failures (or alteast MAF errors necessitating cleaning). Paper filters is all I will run after going through this fiasco with my BMW.

 

Ran oiled filters in my amg cars, porsche and my f/i harley. Never lost a single maf due to oiling