I have a 2001 S-60 2.4T I have been told I need a new Mass Air Meter. My Volvo surges while at idle. I have had the throttle body cleaned, but the problem remains, I have had the computer upgrade as a result of a recall. I have also had the trrottle body replaced under a recall,hence being told it is the MAM. Can anyone in this forum tell me what happens if you run a car with a bad MAM. Does it really affect the gas milage, and will it hurt the car. Thanks for any help. mstrplmber

 

Fuel milage will be pretty bad.
You will set a code but if you unplug the mass flow and if the idle settles down then yes the mass flow sensor is bad.

 

Thanks Tech I will try that. By unplug I take it you mean just the electrical plug, I am a plumber, I could plumb your house but I know just enough about cars to be dangerous.

 

Yes just unplug the electrical part. The computer will go into a preprogrammed mode.

 

Hi tech the Volvo dealership said I had a faulty MAF($411.00) on my 2001 S60 2.4t. I bought a new one from another source. I replaced with the exact same sensor. Before I changed the MAF the car was running good except I had a check engine light. Now the cars RPM surges while stopped and in drive. Can you help me with this? Is there a way to reset the check engine light as that was the only code I had? Do you reccomend premium fuel could this be the problem since I usually run regular. Thanks mstrplmber

 

You can get the codes read and cleared for free at an auto parts store. There are a couple of codes that can be caused by a bad MAF. The surging idle could also be caused by a vacuum leak in the intake. You mentioned you had the TB replaced which may the cause of the leak. (The TB is kind of hard to get to and work on...)