[Flying V]

Seen all the posts about cleaning the MAF. My truck is a 1996 3.4, 4WD, and is called a 48 state vehicle. Went to clean my MAF and it did not look anything like the others. Spoke to the dealer and service said "I don't think the 96 has a serviceable MAF"

Sorry for no pics yet but it looks like a little acorn held by a big "X". No separate screws to remove the electrical from the sensor wire. Had to remove the unit from the box and use a flashlight to see the wires.

Anyone else have this?:dunno: If so, safe to clean w/MAF sensor cleaner?

Thanks in advance for the answer,

 

[Flying V]

Here is an illustration copied from another post.

It is a different vehicle but same style MAF sensor and he is asking the same question, with no definitive answer yet. (South Coast Toyota could only say "may not be the serviceable type" but wanted to charge for more info.

You can see the 2 wires inside the hole the arrow is pointing to if you use a flashlight. The concern is that the back is solid, (the sensor is like a cup with wires just above the bottom). The center is supported by a plastic cross (can't see this in the illustration) If you look through the body it is like a large circle (entire unit itself), with a cross inside (you can see through around the cross portion), and the middle acorn shaped part that holds the wires and you can not see through, (closed back so you have to use a bright light to even see the wires)

Shape recap: Big circle, cross, little center acorn.

There is nowhere for the MAF sensor cleaner to go. You can't just hold it and spray through like the other sensors I've seen posted.

Since I can't spray through, and I can't separate the unit, I am concerned that the fluid will somehow damage the unit.

So, my original question is: can this type of MAF sensor be safely cleaned?

 

[BamZipPow]

Yes...the MAF wires can be cleaned by using some MAF sensor cleaning spray. All I did was spray the wires with the cleaner (don't make any physical contact with the wires) and the spray tube inserted into the MAF body. I held my spray nozzle about 1" from the wires and had a blast. Make sure you wear eye protection...that stuff will hurt big time if you git it in yer eyes.

If there is any fluid left over, just turn it over and let it run out. Make sure it's clean and dry before you reinstall it. BTW...don't fergit to hook the wire harness back up to the MAF before you start the engine. Yes...it happens to even the best...even I did it.

 

[Flying V]

I have been reading TN almost everyday for the past couple of weeks.

I had a feeling you would be the one to answer, :thumbsup:

Thank you for taking the time to help out so many of us.

I am hoping my experiences will help others, thanks again.

 

[BamZipPow]

I did try to snap some piccies of the wires but obviously...I don't have the right camera to manually focus on the wires...

 

[Flying V]

This confirms it!

I am overly cautious when dealing with expensive parts, thanks so much Bam for going the extra mile.

 

[SC T100]

BTW...don't fergit to hook the wire harness back up to the MAF before you start the engine. Yes...it happens to even the best...even I did it.

Me too!

 

[96Wolf]

Yeppers, I forgot to hook mine back up once before too. You will know shortly into the drive if you did

 

[t100 fred]

o.k. So I'm not crazy. Thats a relief. A week ago I didn't know what a MAF was. Now I know what and how to clean. This must be a very specific MAF used only on T's for certain yrs. I took some picies but looks like you got it covered. Thanks Bam.