Code 36 : MAF Sensor Power / Burn-off Relay Issues
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I know this is old. But I just had the same problem pop up. Code 36. Car runs fine but that ses light is annoying. My relays were already new and maf isn't that old I replaced it a few years ago. And I haven't driven it much. I did try swapping relays. Same result. Cleaned maf and connections. Code still popping up. I believe I have the same part# ecm that's outdated. So I'm thinking about getting the newer one to see if solves the problem.
The 1227165 ECM was upgraded by adding a jumper for a second MAP input. Probably not applicable in your case since you're talking about MAF relays...
You might find some useful info in this thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-36-help.html
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: merced ca
I pulled my maf off right after I had my wife shut off the car. Nothing glowed red at all. So I'm thinking the maf is messed up. It is a rebuilt cardone maf. Which I've had for a bit. But it does run good still. Just want the cel light to be off.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: merced ca
So I did some playing around to see if my maf is actually bad as far as burnoff goes. I put 12volts directly to the blue wire on the burnoff relay connector. And guess what!! That maf was glowing bright red. So then I put the relay back on and grounded out the black wire. Relay actuated and maf glowed red. Now the last but not least I grounded out D12 at the ECM. Nothing happened. So I'm assuming there's a damn short or broken wire somewhere between the ECM and burnoff relay. So under the hood where does that ground wire run? Along the back of the motor I assume.
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: merced ca
Well god dang it. I wouldn't feel so dumb if I didn't stare at the same wire several times already. The ground wire going from the relay plug down to where it tees off with the rest of the harness by the battery had a big bulg in the insulation. Found my short and spliced it. Hoping code 36 doesn't come back for a while.
Last edited by kitttransam; Aug 2, 2016 at 09:09 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
The old code 36 issue .... The result (for me) was to replace the ECM Computer. My car System is really sensitive to daily temperature and after investigation I can engineering-ly understand why. The computer I put in was a 99888194 but exchanged the '89 ECM EPROM. The burn off part of the ECM software would therefore be the same, this whole system it's a really big compromise between burning out the MAF and burning off the collected grime. Let me know how you go, if it really does not get solved for your car, I can blow the dust off my old notes and suggest a modification for the circuit. But with a warning my permanent fix will disconnect the ability to burn the MAF at all ...... users would have to manually clean the MAF sensor every 6-8 months depending on use.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
Since this is a rather old thread I suggest you search MAF and your code #'s , start a new thread explaining all that you have done and what SES codes. Your MAF might have been OK but it is hard to tell since you didn't tell us the code #.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 367
Likes: 7
From: Congupna Victoria
I had Code 36.
some on here have been lucky to discover that one of the following fixed the code:
1. Repair broken wiring
2. Replaced relays
3. Replaced MAF
4. Replaced ECM
None worked for me, and I did ALL of them.
Finally discovered the voltage outputted by the MAF during Burn Off was outside the specs acceptable to the ECM, no matter how many MAFS (ECM, relays etc) I tried.
My decision was not to stop the Burn off from occurring (as it seems logical to keep it occurring if it was designed to), but to not report the Code once the ECM saw it was out of spec.
It WILL report an error code if the Burn Off does not occur though.
My advice is to thoroughly check the wiring, confirm the MAF is actually happening (quite easy to do) and if it is, only then look to replace components
some on here have been lucky to discover that one of the following fixed the code:
1. Repair broken wiring
2. Replaced relays
3. Replaced MAF
4. Replaced ECM
None worked for me, and I did ALL of them.
Finally discovered the voltage outputted by the MAF during Burn Off was outside the specs acceptable to the ECM, no matter how many MAFS (ECM, relays etc) I tried.
My decision was not to stop the Burn off from occurring (as it seems logical to keep it occurring if it was designed to), but to not report the Code once the ECM saw it was out of spec.
It WILL report an error code if the Burn Off does not occur though.
My advice is to thoroughly check the wiring, confirm the MAF is actually happening (quite easy to do) and if it is, only then look to replace components
