2001 Ford Explorer MAF Cleaning

7/24/2019 2001 Ford Explorer MAF Cleaning

1/20

How to Clean the Ford Mass Air Flow Sensor

October 28, 2011

Updated:July 21, 2013

Written by:Abraha !orres"Arredondo

1

2

3

One of the most common problems, with MAF Sensor equipped Ford (Mercury and Lincoln)

vehicles, is that the MAF Sensors !ot "ires will #et dirty (contaminated)$

%his contamination will rob you of #as milea#e and performance$ &ot only that, in some cases

this condition will li#ht up your 'hec n#ine Li#ht with a *+- or *+-. (lean A/F mi0ture)

'ode$

"ell, this article will help you to clean your Mass Airflow Sensor in a step by step fashion$

%his article is broen up into several different parts and so to help you navi#ate it a little easier,

here are its contents at a quic #lance1
http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/Ford-4.9L-5.0L-5.8L-Index-of-Articles/how-to-clean-the-ford-mass-air-flow-sensor.htmlhttp://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/Ford-4.9L-5.0L-5.8L-Index-of-Articles/how-to-clean-the-ford-mass-air-flow-sensor.htmlhttp://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/Ford-4.9L-5.0L-5.8L-Index-of-Articles/how-to-clean-the-ford-mass-air-flow-sensor/Page-2.htmlhttp://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/Ford-4.9L-5.0L-5.8L-Index-of-Articles/how-to-clean-the-ford-mass-air-flow-sensor/Page-3.htmlhttp://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/Ford-4.9L-5.0L-5.8L-Index-of-Articles/how-to-clean-the-ford-mass-air-flow-sensor.htmlhttp://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/Ford-4.9L-5.0L-5.8L-Index-of-Articles/how-to-clean-the-ford-mass-air-flow-sensor/Page-2.htmlhttp://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/Ford-4.9L-5.0L-5.8L-Index-of-Articles/how-to-clean-the-ford-mass-air-flow-sensor/Page-3.htmlhttp://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/Ford-4.9L-5.0L-5.8L-Index-of-Articles/how-to-clean-the-ford-mass-air-flow-sensor.html


2/20

1# $%ortant !i%s and Su&&estions#

2# Sy%tos o' a (irty Ford MAF Sensor#

3# )art 1* +eoe MAF Sensor#

-# )art 2* Clean MAF Sensor#

.# /o $%roeent in )er'orance A'ter MAF Clean#

2ou can find this tutorial in Spanish here1 '3mo Limpiar el Sensor de Flu4o de Aire (MAF)

de Ford(at1 autotecnico-online.com)$

Important Suggestions and Tips

Tip 1:%he safest way to clean the MAF Sensor5s !ot "ires, is to 4ust spray them and let them air

dry$ Avoid physically touchin# them, lie with a cotton swab, since this could brea the !ot

"ires$

Tip 2:6o not use 'arburetor Spray 'leaner or 7rae 'leaner$ 7oth of these are very harsh

solvents and can dama#e the inner circuitry of the MAF Sensor and now you5ll have a 7A6

MAF Sensor on your hands (this 8 can vouch for from personal e0perience)

Tip 3:6o not use #asoline$ 9asoline will leave a petroleum residue on the !ot "ires and this

residue will attract more dirt (lie a ma#net to metal)$$$ not to mention that #asoline is 4ust too

dan#erous to use as a cleaner$

Tip 4:2our local Auto *arts (lie Auto:one or O5reilly Auto *arts) will have the appropriate

MAF Sensor 'leaner$ %he most common/popular is the ';' Mass Air Sensor 'leaner (part

number1 +


3/20

re#ular lectronics Spray 'leaner from my local ;adio Shac or Fry5s lectronics store with the

same success$

Symptoms of a Dirty Ford MAF Sensor%he most common symptom of a dirty Mass Airf Flow (MAF) Sensor is a lac of power$

=nfortunately, the *'M (*owertrain 'ontrol Module > Fuel 8n4ection 'omputer) is not smart

enou#h to sense a dirty MAF Sensor and so you5re not#onna5 #et a 6irty MAF Sensor

6ia#nostic %rouble 'ode li#htin# the 'hec n#ine Li#ht$

A dirty MAF Sensor will cause one or all of the followin# symptoms1

1# !he n&ine idles ne, but when you accelerate the ehicle not ust the

n&ine4 is when you 'eel the lac5 o' %ower#

2# n&ine runnin& 6ean which causes the )CM to set one or both o' the 'ollowin&(ia&nostic !rouble Codes*

1# P0171* Syste !oo 6ean 7an5 1#

2# P017* Syste !oo 6ean 7an5 2#

3# Fails the State andated yearly issions !est#

-# 7A( as ilea&e#

%he *'M uses the MAF Si#nal to now how much Air is enterin# the n#ine$ 8n nowin# the

e0act amount of Air enterin# the n#ine, the *'M can now calculate the correct amount of Fuel

to in4ect into every 'ylinder$

"hen the Mass Air Flow Sensor on your Ford car (pic up, van, mini?van or S=@) starts to #et

dirty, the dirt (technically called1 contamination) starts to interfere with the way the MAF Sensor

measures the incomin# Air$

%hus a dirty (contaminated) MAF Sensor still creates a Si#nal but it5s a MAF Si#nal that is not

conveyin# the correct amount of Air that5s enterin# the n#ine$ And so the *'M does not in4ect

the correct amount of Fuel for the true amount of air enterin# the n#ine$

As 8 mentioned before, the *'M can5t tell you that the MAF Sensor is dirty, since a dirty MAF

Sensor 6%' does not e0ist and as easy as it is the chec to see if it5s dirty or not, there5s really no

need for one$


4/20

O, let5s turn the pa#e and #et this show on the road$$$

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

PA!T 1: !emo"e t#e MAF Sensor

)reious ia&e nlar&e /e:t ia&e

$a&e 1o' $

O, this is what you si#ned up for


5/20

!ere are the actual removal and cleanin# instructions for the MAF Sensor$

One last thin#$$$ 85m #onna5 be usin# a photo of a typical Ford MAF Sensor$ 8t probably won5t

loo e0actly lie yours$$$ but it will be very similar$ &o matter how many wires, or the color of

the MAF Sensor5s body (there are some #ray colored ones), these cleanin# instructions apply$

%his is what you need to do1

1# 1

Start by removin# the two %or0 head bolts that hold the MAF Sensor in place (see photo

1)$

8n some older Ford applications$$$ the top bolt will have a spot of epo0y in place, to

prevent you from removin# the MAF Sensor$ %his shouldn5t stop you$$$ what you5ll have

to do is to remove the whole MAF Assembly from the vehicle and use a pair of pliers toloosen and remove the bolt$

2# 2

Once the Sensor is removed, it should loo lie the ones in photos 2 and 3in the ima#e

viewer$

*hoto B is of the newer style Ford MAF Sensor and photo C is of the older type MAF

Sensor$ 8f your Ford vehicle uses the older type$$$ you have to be very careful not to

dama#e the !ot "ires, since both are e0posed and can be easily dama#ed/broen$

PA!T %: &'ean t#e MAF Sensor


6/20


$a&e 1o' $

Once the MAF Sensor is off of your Ford (or Mercury, Lincoln, or MaDda) vehicle$$$ place it on a

wor table$

Once a#ain, as a friendly reminder$$$ with the older type of MAF Sensor (photo 1), you5ve #ot to

be very careful with the e0posed !ot "ires$

7umpin# the MAF Sensor5s !ot "ires into anythin# or touchin# them can cause them to brea

off the MAF sensor (this too 8 can vouch for from personal e0perience)

On the newer vehicles, the MAF sensor hot wires are set inside the assembly (photo 2) and so

accidentally breain# them is not an issue$

Alri#ht, these are the ne0t steps1

1# 1

&ow, #rab your MAF 'leanin# Spray or lectronics 'leanin# Spray and spray the !ot

"ires$

2# 2


7/20

On the older type MAF Sensor$$$ you have only two e0posed !ot "ires to clean$ On the

newer type, both !ot "ires are inside the air inlet cavity and you5ll be able to see them

without trouble$

Also, on the newer type$$$ you5ll see a resistor on the outside of the assembly (see photo

3), this resistor is the 8ntae Air %emperature (8A%) Sensor$ 'lean this bad boy too$

3# 3

8f the MAF Sensor is dirty$$$ both resistors on the !ot "ires will be full of dar fuDD$

A clean resistor is usually a li#ht #ray color, and of course, it won5t have any type of fuDD

on it$

-# -

;esist the temptation to physically wipe the resistors of the two !ot "ires$ Sprayin#

them and lettin# them air dry will clean them$

.# .

8f you5re usin# an approved cleanin# spray$$$ this will immediately evaporate without

leavin# any trace$$$ so when you5re done, put the MAF Sensor bac and bolt it up$ 2ou5re

doneE

Once you5re done cleanin# the MAF Sensor, tae a loo at your Air Filter and the Air Filter 7o0the MAF Sensor is bolted to$

8f the Air Filter is dirty, replace it$ 8f the Air Filter 7o0 is dirty, clean it now$ 8f the Air Filter 7o0

is broen, then you5ll need to replace it$

7y tain# a loo and remediatin# any issue (with the Air Filter or Air Filter 7o0) you5ll be able to

#uarantee that the MAF Sensor will stay clean (contamination free) and your n#ine performin#

at its best$

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999


8/20

(o Impro"ement in

Performan)e After MAF &'ean


$a&e 1o' %

'leanin# the MAF Sensor is 4ust a maintenance type of repair, 4ust lie chan#in# the oil of the

en#ine in your Ford vehicle is only a maintenance type of service$

%o be a bit more specific, if the en#ine in your Ford vehicle is nocin#$$$ chan#in# the n#ine

Oil (no matter how old or dirty), is not #onna5 solve the en#ine mechanical issue causin# the

noc, and so it #oes with cleanin# the MAF Sensor$

'leanin# a MAF Sensor will only improve n#ine *erformance and/or 9as Milea#e if it5s dirty

(contaminated)$ So, if cleanin# the MAF Sensor didn5t do anythin# for the vehicle you5re

drivin#$$ you need to loo into a deeper Mass Air Flow Sensor dia#nostic$

8f you need to test the MAF Sensor itself, to see if it5s producin# a correct Si#nal the *'M can

use, chec out my article on testin# it with a Multimeter at1

1# *o+ to Test t#e Ford MAF Sensorthis article at*easyautodiagnosti)s,)om4#
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf/maf_sensor_ford_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf/maf_sensor_ford_1.php


9/20

%he MAF Sensor test in the article above is done with 4ust a Multimeter (no Scan %ool required)

and is accomplised in . easy test steps$

How to !est the

Ford MAF -#26, -#;6, .#-64

")art $"

H!M69CA)!$O/

H!M69CA)!$O/

H!M69CA)!$O/

1< $



10/20

%estin# the MAF (Mass Air Flow) Sensor on your Ford truc or S=@ or full siDe @an is a very

simple and easy affair$ %his article will wal you throu#h the whole process without removin#

the MAF Sensor from the en#ine$ As you may already now$$$ the MAF Sensor is inside the

round Air Filter canister assembly and this article will teach you how to test it$

%he MAF Sensor test/dia#nostic can be accomplished in four easy steps usin# a Multimeter$ 2ou

dont even need a Scan %oolE 7elow youll find important pre?test info thatll speed up the

dia#nostic process$

8f youre looin# for the article on how to test the Ford MAF Sensor thats not inside the Air

Filter canister assembly, #o here1!ow to %est Ford MAF Sensors =sin# a Multimeter$

O, one last thin# before we 4ump into the test, if youre dia#nosin# a .$L or # 7A( &as ilea&e#

., /e#i)'e may id'e roug# and sta'',
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf/maf_sensor_ford_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf/maf_sensor_ford_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/index_ford_4.6L_5.4L/index_of_articles_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf/maf_sensor_ford_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/index_ford_4.6L_5.4L/index_of_articles_1.php


11/20

Is My Ford MAF Sensor ust Dirty

H!M69CA)!$O/

H!M69CA)!$O/

H!M69CA)!$O/

1< $


MAF Sensors have a tremendous tendency to #et dirty and cause several headaches that may

include1 7A6 #as milea#e, hi#her emissions, and/or lac of power$ For the most part, when one

is dirty$$$ the truc, or van or S=@ seems to drive O, but not with the same peppyness as before$

So how do 8 dia#nose a dirty/contaminated Ford MAF SensorH "ell1

1# $?ll ta5e a @uic5 loo5 be'ore $ start y dia&nostic and see i' the two hot"wiresthat a5e u% the MAF Sensor4 are dirty# 7y dirty $ ean containated to


12/20

use an industry standard ter4# !o see an e:a%le o' this* (irty MAF Sensor:a%le#

2# Or, $Bll test it rst 'ollowin& the &uidelines set in this article, to see i' itBs%roducin& a MAF Si&nal#

3# $' it is %roducin& a Si&nal, but the Si&nalBs res%onse is too slow to chan&es in!hrottle )osition, then $ 5now to loo5 into cleanin& it#

"hy does it #et dirty/contaminatedH "ell, its usually due to an air filter not performin# its 4ob or

the round plastic canister assembly, that holds the air filter, is broen or not sealin# correctly$ %he

Ford MAF Sensors are some of the easiest MAF Sensor to clean$ %o see/read the step by step

instructions on how to clean this type of Ford MAF Sensor in the round Air Filter canister, clic

here1 'leanin# the Ford 'anister %ype MAF Sensor$

Air 2ea3s

%he second most common problem 8 have encountered on most Fords (Mercurys and Lincolns)

over the years is air leas between the MAF Sensor and the %hrottle 7ody$ 8t is crucial, yes very

critical that you first chec that there are no air leas between these two$ Air enterin# after the

Mass Air Flow Sensor into the en#ine will ne#atively impact fuel in4ection$ And will sew the

results of your tests which could result in the replacement of a #ood MAF (and in the process

throwin# money away)$

!ow do you chec for air leasH "ith your eyes and hands$ %hat5s ri#ht, no special tools

required$ Iust eyeball and physically shae/move the rubber air ducts that connect the MAF

Sensor to the %hrottle 7ody to see if it5s loose or disconnected$

&ir)uit Des)riptions of

t#e Ford MAF Sensor4s &onne)tor

H!M69CA)!$O/
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/dirty_maf_sensor/dirty_maf_sensor_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/dirty_maf_sensor/dirty_maf_sensor_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf_clean/cleaning_ford_maf_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/dirty_maf_sensor/dirty_maf_sensor_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/dirty_maf_sensor/dirty_maf_sensor_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf_clean/cleaning_ford_maf_1.php


13/20

H!M69CA)!$O/

1< %


"hether your drivin# a Ford, Mercury or Lincoln full siDe *ic =p (F


14/20

IM!"TA#T? All of the tests are !# $A" T%&T&, do not remove the Mass Air Flow Sensor

from the vehicle or from its plumbin#$

T*5 T5ST

O, you5re #onna5 start by checin# the basics$ %hese are B @olts and 7attery #round to the

Mass Air Flow Sensor$ After that, we5ll test the actual performance of the MAF Sensor as the

en#ine is runnin#$ =se a 6i#ital Multimeter for all tests where a multimeter is called for$

%he MAF Sensor produces an analo# @olta#e si#nal$ %his MAF Si#nal5s 6' @olta#e is directly

related to amount of air the en#ine is breathin#$ %herefore, if the en#ine is breathin# in more air

at B


15/20

H!M69CA)!$O/

1< %


%he very first thin# that we5ll do is chec that the MAF Sensor is receivin# B volts$ %he

procedure 8 recommend for you to use (to accomplish all of the tests below) is to use a test probe

that pierces thru5 the wire5s insulation (clic here to see a picture of this tool1 "ire *iercin#

*robe)$ Also, do no disconnect the round Air Filter canister assembly from the air duct that

connects it to the 8ntae Manifolds %hrottle 7ody$

1# )ut the ultieter in O6!S (C ode don?t hae a (i&ital MultieterD /eedto buy oneD Clic5 here to see y recoendations* 7uyin& a (i&italMultieter4#

2# Eith the +( ultieter test lead and an a%%ro%riate tool, %robe the MAFSensor ConnectorBs circuit labeled with the number ,as shown in the %hoto#

3# Eith the 76AC= lead o' the ultieter %robe 7A!! "4 ne&atie terinal#

-# !urn =ey On with the n&ine O#

2ou should see B @olts on the multimeter$ 6o you have B voltsH

$A&% 1:The Multimeter re)istered 12 *olts?All is #ood in the nei#hborhood, 9O %O %S%

B$

$A&% 2:The Multimeter +I+ #!T re)ister 12 *olts?%he Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor is

not the problem$ "ithout this volta#e the MAF Sensor will not wor$ 'orrectin# the cause of thismissin# @olta#e will #et the MAF Sensor worin# a#ain$
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/tools_wire_piercing_probe/wire_piercing_probe_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/tools_wire_piercing_probe/wire_piercing_probe_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/digital_multimeter_recommendation/choosing_digital_multimeter_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/digital_multimeter_recommendation/choosing_digital_multimeter_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/tools_wire_piercing_probe/wire_piercing_probe_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/tools_wire_piercing_probe/wire_piercing_probe_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/digital_multimeter_recommendation/choosing_digital_multimeter_1.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/digital_multimeter_recommendation/choosing_digital_multimeter_1.php


16/20

T5ST %:Testing t#e 8round &ir)uit

H!M69CA)!$O/

H!M69CA)!$O/

1< %


8n the previous test we checed that the Sensor was receivin# B @olts$ &ow we5ll chec that the

MAF Sensor is #ettin# a #ood 9round$ %his 9round is a chassis 9round$

1# !urn 5ey to the OFF )osition#

2# )ut the Multieter in O6!S (C ode#

3# Eith the 76AC= ultieter test lead and a wire"%iercin&"%robe, %robe theMAF sensor connectorBs circuit identied with the number $, as shown in the%hoto#

-# Connect red lead to the 7A!! G4 %ositie terinal#

2ou should see a volta#e of B @olts$ 6o you have thatH

$A&% 1:The Multimeter re)istered 12 *olts?All is #ood in the nei#hborhood, 9O %O %S%

C$


17/20

$A&% 2:The Multimeter +I+ #!T re)ister 12 *olts?%he MAF sensor is not the problem$

"ithout a clear path to 9round in this circuit, the MAF Sensor will not wor$ 'orrectin# the

cause of this missin# path to 9round will #et the MAF Sensor worin# a#ain$

T5ST $:Testing t#e %nd 8round &ir)uit

H!M69CA)!$O/

H!M69CA)!$O/

1< %


&ow, we5ll chec the second 9round 'ircuit of the MAF Sensor$ %his 9round is provided by the

*'M (owertrain $ontrol Module>Fuel 8n4ection 'omputer) internally$

7e careful and tae e0treme care not to short?circuit this wire to 9round or power as you5re

probin# it$

1# !urn 5ey to the OFF )osition#

2# )ut the Multieter in O6!S (C ode#

3# Eith the 76AC= ultieter test lead and a wire"%iercin&"%robe, %robe theMAF sensor connectorBs circuit identied with the number %as shown in the%hoto#


18/20

-# Connect +( lead to the 7A!! G4 %ositie terinal#

.# !urn the $&nition Switch to the +/ %osition#

2ou should see a volta#e of B @olts$ 6o you have thatH

$A&% 1:The Multimeter re)istered 12 *olts?All is still #ood in the nei#hborhood$ 9o to %est

.$

$A&% 2:The Multimeter +I+ #!T re)ister 12 *olts?%he MAF sensor is not the problem$

"ithout a clear path to 9round in this circuit, the MAF Sensor will not wor$ 'orrectin# the

cause of this missin# path to 9round will #et the MAF Sensor worin# a#ain$

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

How to !est the

Ford MAF -#26, -#;6, .#-64

")art $$$"

T5ST :Testing t#e MAF Signa'

H!M69CA)!$O/

H!M69CA)!$O/
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf_canister/maf_tests_ford_3.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf_canister/maf_tests_ford_3.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf_canister/maf_tests_ford_3.phphttp://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_maf_canister/maf_tests_ford_3.php


19/20

1< %


&ow that the basics have been checed, we5ll chec the MAF si#nal comin# out of the sensor and

#oin# to the 'M$

Start the en#ine and let it reach it5s normal operatin# temperature$ 2ou5ll be usin# the @olta#e

readin# you will obtain at idle as a base to dia#nose the MAF Sensor$

%he MAF Sensor on your Ford (Mercury or Lincoln) must be connected to its connector to

perform this test$

1# Eith the 5ey in the OFF %osition#

2# Eith a suitable tool connected to the +( ultieter lead, %robe thenumber 1circuit o' the MAF Sensor connector shown in the %hoto#

3# )ut the ultieter in O6!S (C ode#

-# Connect the 76AC= lead to the 7attery "4 /e&atie !erinal#

.# Start the already wared u% en&ine#

;# /ote the olts readin& on your ultieter at idle should be about #I to 1 olt(C4# !his readin& ay be stable with only sall uctuations4 or unstablewith ery e:tree uctuations# /o atter what the instability in the readin&,this will be your base readin

># Accelerate the en&ine by anually o%enin& the !hrottle4 as you watch theultieterBs olta&e readin&s#

1# At about 1.00 +)M?s you?ll see about 1#- olts (C#

2# At around 2.00 +)M?s the Multieter should re&ister around 1#8 olts(C#

3# !he actual olta&e readin& on your Multieter ay


20/20

11#$' the MAF Sensor is &ood, these readin&s will not s%i5e u% and down craKilybut will corres%ond to the aount o' air the en&ine is breathin& at thedierent +)Ms youBre acceleratin& the en&ine to#

6id the si#nal rise smoothly with each increase in en#ine acceleration and stay steady at idleH

$A&% 1:The Multimeter re)istered the indicated *olta)es?%his test result lets you now that

the MAF Sensor is worin# O and has not failed$

$A&% 2:The Multimeter +I+ #!T re)ister the indicated *olta)es?;echec all of your

connections and retest$ 8f still the Multimeter does not indicate the indicated @olta#e si#nal, you

can confidently conclude that the MAF Sensor is defective$ ;eplace Mass Air Flow (MAF)

Sensor$

"hat you5re normally #onna5 when the MAF is fried, is a @olta#e that does not increase at all or

+ @olts$

2001 Ford Explorer MAF Cleaning

Documents

Transcript of 2001 Ford Explorer MAF Cleaning