Need help with M.A.F sensor
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Need help with M.A.F sensor
I dropped my 87' off at the dealership yesterday to have the car brought back up to good running condition.
They called me today to say that I had a bad Mass Air Flow Sensor and the driver solenoid for the MAF is bad also. After they told me the parts alone would be $530.00 for the MAF and an additional $260.00 for the driver solenoid I asked them to not do the work until I could explore my other options. After looking at my Mid America catalog I see I can get a rebuilt MAF for as little as $200.00 and according to my service manual this is pretty easy to replace.
My question however is this: Neither Mid America or the service manual say anything about a driver solenoid but they both mention a power /burn off relay that I can buy for $8.99 Is this relay the same thing as the driver solenoid that GM wants $260.00 for?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
They called me today to say that I had a bad Mass Air Flow Sensor and the driver solenoid for the MAF is bad also. After they told me the parts alone would be $530.00 for the MAF and an additional $260.00 for the driver solenoid I asked them to not do the work until I could explore my other options. After looking at my Mid America catalog I see I can get a rebuilt MAF for as little as $200.00 and according to my service manual this is pretty easy to replace.
My question however is this: Neither Mid America or the service manual say anything about a driver solenoid but they both mention a power /burn off relay that I can buy for $8.99 Is this relay the same thing as the driver solenoid that GM wants $260.00 for?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Re: Need help with M.A.F sensor (rbvette1)
Been there, done that- we lucked out at the dealership had a MAF from a Camero which they had never used - they brought it in on a warranty and never used. It fit perfectly and got rid of that code. As for the burn off replay - on the left hand side of the car, behind the battery are the burn off relays. Those are the two that they speak of, the one closest to the fender seemed to be the one that caused the problems. We replaced them both for the minimal cost. Not sure what you are talking about when you speak of a driver solenoid? Do you have a service manual? If not, give me a yell, we have an 86. I'd replace the relays first, THEN the MAF. turned out we had to do both but fixed the problem. Don't know if this helps or not.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth,Va USA
Re: Need help with M.A.F sensor (rbvette1)
I can't help you.. However my Check engine light will occasionally come on.. The code was for the MAf.. I would be interested in any responses you receive on this as well.
Rick
Rick
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Re: Need help with M.A.F sensor (Rick Williams)
I do have a service manual, And I think in the 87's both relays are one piece, If anybody knows what this driver solenoid is i would sure like to hear from you. thanks-------Randy
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
Likes: 1
From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Re: Need help with M.A.F sensor (Trixie*)
I think that dealership is full of ****!!! :mad :mad
Trixie sounds about right. Start with the relay, and do the work yourself. Won't take more than 30~40 minutes total.
Trixie sounds about right. Start with the relay, and do the work yourself. Won't take more than 30~40 minutes total.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: El Paso, Texas U.S.A.
Re: Need help with M.A.F sensor (rbvette1)
A bad burnoff relay and/or power relay can set off a code 34.
They're cheap and easy to do, about $10 apiece at AutoZone or whatever.
I'm pretty sure your '87 has both like my '89, but I may be wrong.
Make sure you reset the ECM after this kind of work
Here's a little help :
Clear your codes, disconnect the MAF, run the car for a minute or till check engine light comes on. If you get another code 34, then the wiring or ECM is the problem. If you get a code 33, then you either have a bad MAF or a bad burn off control.
To check for a bad burn off control;
1: Unhook the MAF so you can see inside it but leave the wiring conected
2: Turn ignition on
3: Ground terminal A and E on the ALCL. This causes the burn off module to activate
Turn ignition off and after 4 seconds or so, the MAF wire should glow indicating a good burn off module.
[Modified by eisle89, 12:17 AM 8/24/2001]
They're cheap and easy to do, about $10 apiece at AutoZone or whatever.
I'm pretty sure your '87 has both like my '89, but I may be wrong.
Make sure you reset the ECM after this kind of work
Here's a little help :
Clear your codes, disconnect the MAF, run the car for a minute or till check engine light comes on. If you get another code 34, then the wiring or ECM is the problem. If you get a code 33, then you either have a bad MAF or a bad burn off control.
To check for a bad burn off control;
1: Unhook the MAF so you can see inside it but leave the wiring conected
2: Turn ignition on
3: Ground terminal A and E on the ALCL. This causes the burn off module to activate
Turn ignition off and after 4 seconds or so, the MAF wire should glow indicating a good burn off module.
[Modified by eisle89, 12:17 AM 8/24/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Need help with M.A.F sensor (rbvette1)
There is no such part named a driver solenoid, only two relays, one for MAF burn off and the other for MAF power. I have an 87 and replaced both relays several years ago. The dealer is confused, but could mean one or both relays and might charge $260 for them , but its not ethical. Buy a GM repair and electrical manual , much of the repairs can be done by yourself with the help of the manuals.
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