Hi,

Car ran like dog poo this morning, then ECU light came on but managed to get to work. When leaving it would only start and then stall right away. RAC arrived, disconnected the MAF sensor and now it runs better than it has for months!

RAC man suggested replacing it myself so I bought a new Bosch one. It looks very simple but is there anything to be aware of? It looks like it is just the two 10mm bolts and the jubilee clip, is that really it?

Also is it okay to drive it for the next few days with the MAF sensor disconnected? I only do 12 miles a day getting to work and back...

Thanks

Hi,
Easy to do yourself. Disconnect battery first for safety and to reset the adaptation. Should take about 15 minutes.
You should not have any trouble driving for a couple of days, but try not to drive too hard.

As said above, replacement of the MAF is easy, but be aware that the symptoms described may indicate rainwater ingress into the air filter assembly and thence to the MAF, which doesn't like to be wet. I changed the MAF on my old Panda but the problem turned out to be rainwater ingress, easily fixed with a bit of sealant gunge.

Further to above...

Check and make sure that the screwhole in the middle of the black plastic piece below the wipers has been sealed. Water can drip through here straight into the air filter housing. If this hasn't been done, then get it done - it can solve the sluggish behaviour.

Shuggie said:

As said above, replacement of the MAF is easy, but be aware that the symptoms described may indicate rainwater ingress into the air filter assembly and thence to the MAF, which doesn't like to be wet. I changed the MAF on my old Panda but the problem turned out to be rainwater ingress, easily fixed with a bit of sealant gunge.

Click to expand...

Hi, indeed when I took the old MAF out literally minutes ago there was a small amount of water in there on the side which is held in with the two 10mm fixings...

g8rpi said:

Hi,
Easy to do yourself. Disconnect battery first for safety and to reset the adaptation. Should take about 15 minutes.
You should not have any trouble driving for a couple of days, but try not to drive too hard.

Click to expand...

This only took me about 10 minutes, although I had to go buy a new jubilee clip as I couldn't get the quick release one back on. Is that long enough without power to the ecu to make the adaptation reset?

Thanks

Stop worrying. As Robert said, in effect, there will be no ecu damage or resetting needed. Just plug in and drive away.
If you still have symptoms once the fault codes are cleared, it points to some other fault.
Let us know - feedback helps others on the forum.

Thanks everyone, for the benefit of any other noobs like me here's the score:

• Car would start but then stall a second or two later
• RAC looked at it, disconnected MAF and all was well
• I got a new Bosch MAF from shop4parts - approx £70. There are cheaper ones on ebay, non-Bosch, but I had a few people say get the Bosch for better quality
• Was easy to fit, the hardest bit was removing the jubilee clip, I would advise buying a new one beforehand as I couldn't get the old one back one and they cost very little. A 55mm to 70mm clip was fine.
• The new MAF does not come with the rubber washer which fits on the left hand side of it so make sure you take that off to re-use
• I have an ECU reader and so was able to clear the fault after fitting

Shuggie said:

As said above, replacement of the MAF is easy, but be aware that the symptoms described may indicate rainwater ingress into the air filter assembly and thence to the MAF, which doesn't like to be wet. I changed the MAF on my old Panda but the problem turned out to be rainwater ingress, easily fixed with a bit of sealant gunge.

Click to expand...

Hi,

This morning some symptoms are back, when I first started it I floored it in neutral and it took about 5 seconds to get past 2000pm and then it was normal after that! Is this where the sealant for stopping water ingress needs to go (see picture).

Thanks