I just replaced my MAF in May. It would crank over, but not fire. Replaced the MAF and instant success. Now, I am having the same symptoms. The engine cranks, will sputter like it wants to start, but will not. The MAF is not dirty, I checked that. The distributor and rotor are clean, not new, but look fine and it seems like it is getting fuel, I can hear the fuel pump spin up and come to a stop. How could I test the MAF? Can these MAFs go bad quickly? Any other thoughts, suggestions?
Thanks,
Tim.

 

Unplug the mass flow if it starts right up then plug it back in if it stalls it is bad.
But just so you know it will set codes.

OEM part?

 

the current MAF is OEM. Got it from the local dealer, five months ago.
I did get it to run with the MAF unplugged. So would you think that it is bad again?
I'll try a purchase from a different source this time tho.
Is there anything else that could make these go bad this quickly?

 

If you bought it in may make the Dealer warranty it.
Parts are 12 month or 12,000 miles.

 

Maybe it was just a bad luck draw? MAybe you need a new air filter. Are you using a stock air filter? I have heard that if you use an aftermarket air filter thatuses oil, and if itis over oiled, it will ruin the MAF.

 

Thanks for that. I wonder how they could be tested tho? The thing looks really good. I don't have a good reference pic to check the original condition of the wire.

 

Well, I'm running a dry media filter that is not the fav of lots of buffs, but they are so cheap. Cheap is loosely framed in this case tho, because if particles are getting by and smacking the MAF, then I'm done with cheap filters.
I still need to run the codes, I'll get them tomorrow, I don't have a scanner handy til then.

 

The real best way to test is to have the proper equiptment and take alot of readings from the mass flow.

 

I replaced the MAF and the car ran great...for 200 miles, then the same thing happened.
The car starts up fine when the MAF is disconnected, then as soon as I reconnect the MAF, the engine stops instantly. I'm wondering if the leads develop a short somewhere?
I checked the codes, 102 comes up because the MAF is disconnected and other than 302 and 303, I also have 444, which I found to be the evap signal too high.
What is the standard procedure to debug this code?
Thanks
Tim.