Replacement maf
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: merced ca
Replacement maf
Does anyone have suggestions on a replacement maf for an 89 corvette? I've replaced mine with a cardone rebuilt a couple years ago. Got the infamous code 36. I've done all the diagnostics and physically checked the maf for the wires to go red and I believe it's the maf.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Does anyone have suggestions on a replacement maf for an 89 corvette? I've replaced mine with a cardone rebuilt a couple years ago. Got the infamous code 36. I've done all the diagnostics and physically checked the maf for the wires to go red and I believe it's the maf.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I had the same problem with my old '87. I bought a Standard Motor Products MAF at my shop and when I installed it, driveability really went down the tubes. Couldn't figure out why (even replaced both relays); I could clear the codes and the engine would run fine. Once I shut it off and restarted, the Code 36 came back.
Turned out the MAF I had bought has a broken burnoff wire
So rather than hope that a replacement or even a Cardone unit might work, I went with a brand new AC Delco MAF. This one had the correct BOSCH markings and the correct GM part number. Installed it, cleared the codes, started the engine and everything worked fine 
That was the good news. The bad news was that the AC Delco part came to just over $725.00
And that was my cost at the shop. But the MAF error codes stopped after that and the car ran fine.
Turned out the MAF I had bought has a broken burnoff wire
So rather than hope that a replacement or even a Cardone unit might work, I went with a brand new AC Delco MAF. This one had the correct BOSCH markings and the correct GM part number. Installed it, cleared the codes, started the engine and everything worked fine That was the good news. The bad news was that the AC Delco part came to just over $725.00
And that was my cost at the shop. But the MAF error codes stopped after that and the car ran fine.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Below is what I did to solve the problem of needing a new maf sensor... The stock ones on the market now are mostly junk...WW
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-i-got-ww.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-i-got-ww.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: merced ca
Below is what I did to solve the problem of needing a new maf sensor... The stock ones on the market now are mostly junk...WW
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-i-got-ww.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-i-got-ww.html
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 367
Likes: 7
From: Congupna Victoria
Does anyone have suggestions on a replacement maf for an 89 corvette? I've replaced mine with a cardone rebuilt a couple years ago. Got the infamous code 36. I've done all the diagnostics and physically checked the maf for the wires to go red and I believe it's the maf.
I had the infamous Code36 - changed ECM, relays and used 6 MAFS!!
all the MAF's I used had Bosch part numbers on them, most were remanufactured.
Once I stopped "groping around in the dark", I got into the ECM with help from guys on here and discovered that the Burn Off voltage was out of spec and that's what was causing the ECM to show the Code 36.
Interestingly ALL the MAF's would send an out of spec voltage to the ECM. Some were 0.5 volts, some 1 volt, but all outside (above) the acceptable range for the test.
My conclusion was that there was nothing wrong with the wiring, ECM, relays etc. It was the MAF that was sending a too high a voltage to the ECM.
The choice I had was to keep throwing MAF's at the car until one finally sent the correct voltage to the ECM or disable the error reporting of Code 36.
And that's what I did - the burn off still happens, the ECM still gets the results of the test, it's just that it doesn't set the Error code and therefore the SES light stays off (unless there's some other problem).
My advice would be to find a workshop that can "see" (data log) the Burn off test, so you know why it's setting Code 36.
Good Luck!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
..WW
Last edited by WW7; Apr 19, 2016 at 07:11 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 19
From: Stevenston, Scotland, GB
Nothing special about a C4 Bosch MAF.
I got a brand new one from these guys in the UK about 5 years ago for $250 exchange. I bet you can source one in the USA easily enough. Its used on various cars, but if you ask a Corvette parts supplier, its usually $$$!!
http://www.airmassmeters.com/
I got a brand new one from these guys in the UK about 5 years ago for $250 exchange. I bet you can source one in the USA easily enough. Its used on various cars, but if you ask a Corvette parts supplier, its usually $$$!!
http://www.airmassmeters.com/
Last edited by exitwound; Apr 19, 2016 at 04:36 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: merced ca
Well the blower works maf sounds like it would be the best option. I might be going that route. Just a matter of when. My cars runs fine now. But when smog time comes I'm going to need that code gone. Funny thing is I just did my smog test this past December and I got the code 36 right after my car passed and I left.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 7
Below is what I did to solve the problem of needing a new maf sensor... The stock ones on the market now are mostly junk...WW
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-i-got-ww.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-i-got-ww.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: merced ca
Wow 2 years since I’ve seen this. I never did respond with my fix. I got lucky I found the ground wire not too far from the burn off relay was shorted. Insulation was bubbled. Cut the wire and reconnected and code was gone. I did end up buying an ac Delco unit before I found the short. And it was junk. So I sent it back. Any way I’m still running the cardone unit. But I’m still considering the blower works conversion since it’s been reported that car runs better with the newer Maf. And I’ve also learned out to do my own tuning also so I’m sure I could work with that blowerworks bin. Have a lot in the works to get more power and having my tranny be able to handle it. Maybe the blower works maf might be coming my way soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 187
From: Earth
Wow 2 years since I’ve seen this. I never did respond with my fix. I got lucky I found the ground wire not too far from the burn off relay was shorted. Insulation was bubbled. Cut the wire and reconnected and code was gone. I did end up buying an ac Delco unit before I found the short. And it was junk. So I sent it back. Any way I’m still running the cardone unit. But I’m still considering the blower works conversion since it’s been reported that car runs better with the newer Maf. And I’ve also learned out to do my own tuning also so I’m sure I could work with that blowerworks bin. Have a lot in the works to get more power and having my tranny be able to handle it. Maybe the blower works maf might be coming my way soon.
Where is the burn off relay? This on driver's side front wheel well? sounds familiar to me but I'm not sure if I replaced this prior. As of today I have a code 36