C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

MAF Sensor w/heated wire circuit

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Old Dec 10, 2017 | 09:02 PM
  #1  
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Default MAF Sensor w/heated wire circuit

Have an 88. Have replaced the Maf sensor heater relay, and still had problems. Bought a new MAF sensor and now it seems that it runs worse. I have since found out that on some of these, the circuit to heat the sensor is non existent. Since I put the new one on the car idles at 1100 rpm, where it did not before. I can't adjust it down. Also tends to flood, so Im thinking its richening it out because it thinks its still in "choke" mode. Bought one from Rock auto and it seems no one could answer my question there if it had that circuit in it. So I didn't buy the cheapest, but bought a walker sensor, thinking walker was a good brand...but, lots of these guys repackage this stuff nowadays. Any ideas? It's driving me to the nut house.
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Old Dec 11, 2017 | 05:06 PM
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I got a Walker for my '87, poked their support pretty hard to get the question answered:

"Hello again Mr. SomeGuy - Our MAF, 245-1006, was not designed with a burn
circuit. I apologize for the delay in responding but I wanted to ensure I
had the correct information.



Please let me know if there is anything I can assist you with.



Thank you,



Tara Baltimore

Director of Customer Satisfaction & Logistics

Walker Products Inc.

525 West Congress Street
"

I'm assuming you're a getting code 36 (or the '88 equivalent). The way to get around the burn circuit check is to get a new MEMCAL with the code 36 disabled, the MAF doesn't need it anyway. Also should clean the MAF annually.

With code 36 in place, the ECM uses a default value instead of the real air flow, that can cause a messed up fuel ratio. However, your's is a lot worse then mine, could be another issue as well.

There's a big thread that walks through checking various items for code 36 to make sure it's not a wire or relay problem, I forget the name, but you'll see all kinds of expert information from Cliff!
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Old Dec 11, 2017 | 06:47 PM
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Kael....thanks for the info. Don't know why they don't tell you this straight up. Now...How the heck do I go bout getting/programming a MEMCAL with the code 36 disabled? THis newer stuff has me confused. Used to be a mechanic but gave it up when computers were coming in. A royal pain in the converters.
Originally Posted by kael
I got a Walker for my '87, poked their support pretty hard to get the question answered:

"Hello again Mr. SomeGuy - Our MAF, 245-1006, was not designed with a burn
circuit. I apologize for the delay in responding but I wanted to ensure I
had the correct information.



Please let me know if there is anything I can assist you with.



Thank you,



Tara Baltimore

Director of Customer Satisfaction & Logistics

Walker Products Inc.

525 West Congress Street
"

I'm assuming you're a getting code 36 (or the '88 equivalent). The way to get around the burn circuit check is to get a new MEMCAL with the code 36 disabled, the MAF doesn't need it anyway. Also should clean the MAF annually.

With code 36 in place, the ECM uses a default value instead of the real air flow, that can cause a messed up fuel ratio. However, your's is a lot worse then mine, could be another issue as well.

There's a big thread that walks through checking various items for code 36 to make sure it's not a wire or relay problem, I forget the name, but you'll see all kinds of expert information from Cliff!
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Old Dec 12, 2017 | 10:15 AM
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I too am having a similar problem on my 88, yes I have code 36 and it runs rich and idles at 1600 no matter what I do, I have replaced the TPS and the MAF and the CSV but it doesn't seem to have helped I am still trying to figure out which relays I should change for the heated wire circuit.
If I make any progress I'll let you know.
Sorry this doesn't help you but wanted to let you know your not alone with this problem .
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Old Dec 12, 2017 | 07:01 PM
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I found the problem, yeeeeehhhaaaaa.
The previous owner had removed the air pump and the IDIOT did not plug two very large holes where vacuum pipes connected on the throttle body directly after the MAF and therefore unmonitored air was being fed into the engine weakening it and the computer compensated by flooding it with gas.
Now the car idles at 7000 rpm not 1600.
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Old Dec 12, 2017 | 08:05 PM
  #6  
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Good job!!!!!

Wish mine was that easy.
Originally Posted by jagvette
I found the problem, yeeeeehhhaaaaa.
The previous owner had removed the air pump and the IDIOT did not plug two very large holes where vacuum pipes connected on the throttle body directly after the MAF and therefore unmonitored air was being fed into the engine weakening it and the computer compensated by flooding it with gas.
Now the car idles at 7000 rpm not 1600.
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Old Dec 12, 2017 | 08:07 PM
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Guess I found whats wrong from your post...thanks much. Do you know of anywhere that can program a memcal to do thiS? Where I live, this service is nonexistent.
Originally Posted by HAWAII88
Kael....thanks for the info. Don't know why they don't tell you this straight up. Now...How the heck do I go bout getting/programming a MEMCAL with the code 36 disabled? THis newer stuff has me confused. Used to be a mechanic but gave it up when computers were coming in. A royal pain in the converters.
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Old Dec 18, 2017 | 04:55 PM
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In danger of advertising, I heard to try Custom Chips Inc. I contacted but haven't actually tried them yet, I still need my new MEMCAL burned.

There are other places out there, google for "corvette memcal burn" and sort from there. Some offer all kinds of options for the MEMCAL, common changes, performance for your year, check around before chasing these, not sure if some are worth the extra bucks.
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Old Dec 18, 2017 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by jagvette
I found the problem, yeeeeehhhaaaaa.
The previous owner had removed the air pump and the IDIOT did not plug two very large holes where vacuum pipes connected on the throttle body directly after the MAF and therefore unmonitored air was being fed into the engine weakening it and the computer compensated by flooding it with gas.
Now the car idles at 7000 rpm not 1600.
Nice!

Do you still have code 36?
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Old Dec 18, 2017 | 09:38 PM
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The MAF in my 1988 went bad and I and replaced it with one I bought from RockAuto.com. When I looked at the data coming out of the new MAF everything looked good but I was getting a code 36.

It was pretty obvious looking at the new MAF that it didn't use a hot-wire style sensor so the MAF burn-off test probably wasn't needed or supported.

I purchased TunerCat and reprogrammed my ECM to eliminate the MAF burn-off test and while I was at it I reprogrammed the 4+3 overdrive to default to OFF. I may also reprogram to eliminate the VATS if it ever starts causing me trouble.

All the above is to say, getting TunerCat is a way to eliminate the code 36 and provides other benefits too.

Last edited by LWesthaver; Dec 20, 2017 at 03:31 AM.
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