Are you 100% sure it is a Gembella ECU? can it be Upsolute?

 

I second that motion

 

Weird i also popped a CEL light yesterday while crusing on the highway.. Was very hot since the last time i drove the car in the 60's, was in the 80's.. Code was a "soft" code for the MAF sensor.. My filter is filthy so im going to change it and hopefully that should be the fix, can a dirty filter cause this as well?

 

It is a Gembella for sure.

 

With all due respect to my fellow posters...the problem is:
1. Stock MAFs are not that great
2. A number of factors (and likely interactions) can contribute to frying a MAF...as indicated (hp, environment, turbulent airflow and contaminants, to name some)
3. Solutions have been created and implemented, but without truly knowing the root cause. Of course if it works for YOU do you really care?

So...you can do the try this, try that approach until a solution works for you, get on board with a tuner that has a solution working (so far) or just keep spares around...who knows?

JMHO.

 

I'd have to stand with WROSS on the fact the MAF is probably not all that "great". Although a better definition might be that it was designed without enough safety factor for the application.

I first got the "christmas lights" display when my car was entirely stock. Since that time with modifications it has happened "now and then".

Things that seem to be consistent when it happens:
1. Cooler ambient temperatures.
2. Car is not completely warmed up.
3. Higher humidity (a nice cold foggy morning for instance).
4. A partial or full throttle application.
5. Usually in a higher gear (3-5).

My own conclusion at this time is that with denser cooler air packing some moisture my modifications drive the MAF out of its range and it throws the codes. Luckily, I have not yet truely "fried" one or gone into limp mode. I can turn off the road, shut down ignition and then restart clearing the display.

My personal theory is that unless one can find a MAF with a wider range, you will get these codes almost no matter what you do.

 

I blew my maf a few months ago... it was hard wrapping my lips around it, and my gag reflex kicked in...

 

Man you must have small lips as the MAF is pretty small.

I blew my MAF once in second gear, 90+degrees, humidity about 15%, car was entirely warmed up, exhaust, v-flow and GIAC tune. See what I mean...

 

Good post. I know this is not a science but that's exactley the situation I was in.

 

I saw some guys here talking about a Hitachi MAF sensor for higher stage cars. Maybe someone can help Kris to see if that would work for him?

- KJ

 

hahaha...thats good stuff.

 

Hey OT - but thanks for hooking me up with John at MACarbon. new CF vents and full CF dash wraparound/defroster surrounds on the way :-) he's going to take care of the steering wheel and center console surround pieces too. I'm stoked. anybody you recommend around to do the interior install?

 

I did the vents myself. I had Orrin at Europsort do my Steering wheerl, But I susequently removed it myself for some custom work. Don't know about the dah pieces. I'm having my dash strip done by John's Auto Upholstery in Longmont. I've GT3 seat cf pieces on the way.

 

Dont suppose you know of or have a 3spoke steering wheel i could borrow do you? Found a place in TX (http://www.american-stitches.com) that can fix my wheel..but i need a sub for a week or so so that i dont have to have the car down.
(shoot me an email or something villain@peakpeak.com)

 

email sent.