How to Install Mass Air Flow Sensor

I have a 1999 C2 and my check engine light came on recently. After taking it to the dealer, they told me that it was because the mass air flow sensor was out. They quoted me $550 for the part plus an hour of labor. In looking on the web, I have found the Bosche sensor on Drivewire for $279.00 which seems much more reasonable. Does anyone know how to replace the mass air flow sensor? Also, do I need to order the corresponding Boot for $54? Lastly, after installing it, will the check engine light go off by itself or do I have to reset something? Thanks, -Eric

I think suncoast porsche has it for 300, check out renntech for a thread about this.

Just remove the 2 scews that hold it in place and put the new one in. DO NOT however assume that just because the dealer says that the MAF is bad, that it really is. MAF is the first word these so called technicians are taught to say when they don't know what the problem is. What I would do first is to disconnect the cable to the MAF and the reconnect it. Reset the computer and see if the CEL ever comes on again. If it does, remove the MAF and spray it clean with some elctrical connection cleaner and try again. I also would not replace the MAF until I saw a printout of the actual error code that the dealer read. You can stop by an AutoZone store and have them read it for you to make sure. Anyway, you can get the MAF for $285 delivered in 2 days from autopartsauthority.com and the install takes just a few minutes.

You will need a T-20 Security Torx.

I agree with this all the way up to the autopartsauthority.com statement. Do yourself and your Porsche a favor and stick with Genuine Porsche Parts. By the way, there are several O2 sensors and although it is easier to check the MAF first I suspect your problem will lie there (bad O2 sensor/s). I once got the following answeres to MAF Questions asked of Loren on another list. Aug 24 2003, 08:20 PM Post #1 How much is the MAF? I have heard time and time again that it is expensive and difficult to DIY it and have yet to find these details when doing a "search" here. I have heard that the price of a MAF is different C4 and a C2. I have heard all kinds of junk on this and have seen no real collective agrement or answers. Good question though- Can a MAF be cleaned? I am concered becuase I keep getting this P1130 code "check engine lite" and I have already changed the 02 sensor, the bellows tube looks fine and I am beginning to think it maybe the MAF and I cannot, for the life of me, figure our why that bastard went bad. If it is a bad MAF then I would like to do the repair myself and am uncertain if there is something i need to know before doing it. There is NO info on DIY of MAF repair, change, diagnostics anywhere. Loren Porsche Nut Group: Admin Joined: 18-June 03 From: SF Bay Area Member No.: 2 Here is my 2 cents worth... Sorry, I can not give you the prices because I don't have them. Here is what I can tell you -- * Through MY01 there are 2 MAF sensors -- one for non e-gas cars (MY99 C2's) and one for all cars with e-gas (which includes MY99 C4's). MY02 cars all have e-gas so there is only one (yet different) MAF for them. * If you only have a P1130 code without the P1128 code then that signifies your problem is on one bank of the engine. Here is what my Pcode list says: P1130 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 2 (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Rich Threshold. Fuel / air mixture is so lean that sensing has reached it's rich thershold. Probable causes are listed as: Intake air system leaking; Fuel pressure too low; Volume of supply fuel pump too low; Fuel injectors fouled. I think I would start looking for any loose or worn vacuum hoses around the intake area. Consider changing the fuel filter. See if you can borrow an MAF from someone to rule it in or out. Finally, I had the dealer replace my MAF under warranty -- twice -- before they realized that the connector on the DME (behind the rear seats) had come loose. So, the MAF's were likely okay. You never know, it could be something easy and even dealers sometimes jump on the MAF too soon. Changing the MAF is pretty simple. There are two special screws that hold it in place. I'll check the tool tomorrow and add to this post. Update: August 25th -- it is a Security Torx with Center Pin -- as David said, basically a Torx with a hole for the pin in the center. . . . . . Loren, what say you?

I agree with this all the way up to the autopartsauthority.com statement. Do yourself and your Porsche a favor and stick with Genuine Porsche Parts The MAF IS the genuine BOSCH part. You can get most Porsche sensors on line and they are the exact OEM part. If you would rather pay 50 - 100% more for the parts, then I agree with you...buy the same part from a Porsche dealer. The best investment you can make for any new car is to get a PC based or hand held scanner that will show the readings of the sensors. I can see all sensor readings and this makes it alot easier to determine what is the cause of any problems. Without being able to read the sensors, it is nothing more than a guessing game.

I have a 99 c2 and a 00 CLK Mercedes. Both had MAF sensor failures under warranty. I hope they improved them by the time mine went bad. Both were BOSCH by the way. They have been OK since about twice as long as the first failures.