I need advice and some info PLEASE!

[carlover626]

Hello and thanks for reading.
I am having some major issues with a 1986 Toyota Celica GTS (3SGE I believe). The car will start and idle fine, but if you push the gas when you are sitting at a light or just parked the car seems to have a hard time revving without stumbling horribly. As the RPM’s increase it gets better, but you only have “normal” revving abilities above 4000 RPM’s.
The kicker on this is my mom took the car to her “trusted” mechanic and shelled out $500 + dollars on, and this is a quote: “He said it was the Air Sensor in the engine and the rebuilt part costs $400”.
WTF???? I said, even if it was the MAF that wouldn’t cost that much new would it? I am not too familiar with the sensors on this car and I thought an engine light would come on if a sensor were bad, right? Or is this Pre-0BD-II?
Anyhow, the car is back in her possession but is revving as I stated above, yes this is after the payment to the shop. I have already decided that I will be talking with the shop myself (have to get time off!) after I have some idea of what could be wrong.
Any help for the experts??????
Thanks!

[alltracman78]

They have already installed the new part and it still does it?
I don't believe you can get a rebuilt AFM [maf for your engine]. Only new or used.
And a new one costs more than that I believe.....
The car is pre OBD II
OBD II started in 95 [for some cars] and 96 for most [when it was required by law].

The AFM could definitly do that. And wouldn't necessarily give a code.
Have you tried cleaning it out? SPray some carb/tb cleaner in it and let it sit...
Whatever you do, DO NOT unscrew the wiring connector on the side. Unclip it. DO NOT UNSCREW IT......

[carlover626]

Thanks for replying!
The part they replaced must have been used then. Do you think she was screwed on the price? I just don't know any of the specifics on this part, lol.
I didn't drive the car home my mom did, she said it was okay now (the part was replaced, but is it the MAF or the AFM for this car?). I got in the car (on my way out for the evening) and just started it and revved it to see what it would do. It cranked, fired, and idled fine. If you press the gas 1/4 way down it will rev fairly well (this is how mom drives) but you give the thing some gas (1/2 or more on the pedal) it will Sput, Sput, Sputter a few times and by the time it is done choking it's at 5000 RPM's and revving fine.
I did the fuel filter, and the air filter is good. Plugs I will check tonight, but the mechanic told my mom these are fine (100,000 mile plugs), so I guess we will see.
BTW, I have not messed with any of the sensors or wiring, thanks for the warning!