MAF sensor = idle issues + more?

[302GTS]

I feel stupid for asking this even though it's such an easy fix to test out, but before I open up my MAF sensor tomorrow afternoon, I'd like to know if it'll fix my little issues...

My air filter gets real dirty real fast it seems like. After a month, I can literally pull small leaves out of it...

The weather was great today and, since I hadn't driven my car with any sort of spirit lately, I decided to go for a drive around town, blasting off from light to light. I'm getting some occasional studdering, and also some backfiring through first and second gear on occasion. Also, my idle is kind of funky.

Does this sound like a job for carb cleaner and his assistant, mr. q (tip)?

 

[281pony]

a failed maf can cause lots of issues...

my car is surging from 500 rpms up to 2000, sometimes 1500 rpm. i believe its a failed maf at this point. i unplug it mid-surging, and it smooths right out.

 

[HISSIN50]

If the inside of your filter and/or air inlet tubing is getting that dirty, consider a different filter.

As for the rest, we'd be guessing.

 

[302GTS]

a failed maf can cause lots of issues...

my car is surging from 500 rpms up to 2000, sometimes 1500 rpm. i believe its a failed maf at this point. i unplug it mid-surging, and it smooths right out.

How would I know if the MAF is actually failing?? Is there any kind of test I can perform?

 

[302GTS]

Well, cleaning the MAF sensor didn't solve my issue. Alternator's kind of drained because of my sound system, could that cause studdering issues?

 

[HISSIN50]

What kind of volts do you see while running (worst case)? If below 13.0V, that can be worrysome.

To rule out overwhelming your charging system (for whatever reason) drive it with the stereo off and see if it backfires, etc.

Make sure your timing isn't too retarded. This can lead to a low idle and hesitation.

Make sure no plug wires are misfiring.

 

[302GTS]

What kind of volts do you see while running (worst case)? If below 13.0V, that can be worrysome.

To rule out overwhelming your charging system (for whatever reason) drive it with the stereo off and see if it backfires, etc.

Make sure your timing isn't too retarded. This can lead to a low idle and hesitation.

Make sure no plug wires are misfiring.

Had the plugs done/timing set. Unless my balancer's getting messed up again and it's causing timing to retard... The balancer was replaced about 4 months ago.

Car runs kind of rich, if that gets any help across. I'll check a few other things also tomorrow. I'll get a hold of a timing light over the next couple days to check if it's still at 14 btdc.

Also, I'm gonna pull the fuses out of my amp and see if that helps the problem.

 

[2Many]

The few times I have had wierd run problems, low idle, surging, etc. Has ALWAYS been power issues. Once battery was bad...once alternator was not charging properly, and most recently had a chassis ground wire loose (car wouldn't turn over good)....the 94/95 seem very sensitive to power issues.
Just my 2cents.

Good Luck

 

[302GTS]

Problem's all set.

When replacing my TOB, I was waiting on getting my dumps installed so I was on open headers for about a week. My O2 sensors weren't switching between rich and lean - they were stuck on rich. My computer was pulling too much fuel, and it leaned the AFR out too much. The plugs were reallll white. New set of O2 sensors, new set of plugs, car's running great so far. Still planning on getting the electrical system checked out though relatively soon. Thanks for the replies!

 

[347_stang]

the maf has been the cause of most of my headaches as of late

 

[302GTS]

^^^ It was my car's first ever repair!

Update: Didn't solve the issue... Taking it to the shop tomorrow night to let the owner have some fun. Anyone located in the Tampa Bay Area looking for a shop to go to, let me know. This guy's great. He didn't charge me ANY labor for checking out the car, replacing O2's, and replacing the plugs for the past two days he had it. He's going to look into maybe a fuel pump issue, along with an electrical system check-up.