The engine light code said it was the air flow sensor and I replaced it with a part from ebay where previous purchasers had no problem. The check engine light came on 2 days later and goodyear said it was the same problem. Going to replace it with a "new" expensive air flow sensor this time. Any idea if it could be something else? I would have thought the previous part would have worked.

 

Any other codes? There a lot of things that can fail that will throw a mass air flow code

 

Yeah just because the code is for the mass air flow sensor doesn't mean it's a bad sensor.

 

There was no other code. Then yesterday, the car would start, then start coughing, and die. We revved it and got it back to another place for diagnostics. In my mind, I think it is something else causing the sensor to fail.


What else could make the sensor fail?

 

Air leakage in the intake system, pcv clogged causing blocked throttle body are some of the main causes

 

Not sure if it,s related, but in some situations the hot wire of the sensor can get covered with deposits; it can be cleaned with a soft q-tip and some water.

 

Yes, you were correct- we had to replace the mas Boot, and have the PCV and throttle cleaned.