Technical Remove Air temperature sensor

[BlackForest]

Every two weeks or so I have an error from the Intake Air Temperature sensor. It seems that it happens on restart after a longer motorway travel (about 120km) by my wife. She rides somewhat faster than me (in terms of max speed, slower in terms of average).

Besides fostering any gender related prejudices, I am interested in fixing the issue.

I located the device (see attachement <sensor.jpg>). Unfortunately the part does not come off that easily. Before I am applying undue force, I would like to tap into the collective experience. Any clue on how to remove the part?

Cheers,
BlackForest

 

[Greasytrucker]

If you mean the silver clips then you’re best to invest in the correct sort of removal pliars, it’s a 2 minute job then. Either that or bend them with a screwdriver to ping them off and replace with standard hose clamps or similar (obviously the first option is the correct one)

 

[BlackForest]

If you mean the silver clips ...

Thanks for the response. But the task is much simpler. I only want to get the sensor out for cleaning and eventual replacement.

 

[Greasytrucker]

A lot of Maf sensors come as a unit with the sensor itself not removable, if it’s removable it normally has torx screws or similar holding it in

 

[BlackForest]

I found the part. The relevant number is 46344881. It is a MAF sensor (as said by Greasytrucker).

It is pretty expensive, from well above EUR 200,- up to over EUR 600,-.

Has anybody cleaned this sensor?

 

[BlackForest]

Here a link where you see, how easy it is to get the clips off:.

 

[BlackForest]

Hope linking threads is not against the forum rules: In the thread 2019 Fiorino MAF Sensor??? you can see where to get you one of these sensors.

 

[BlackForest]

It is a catastrophe! I did clean the MAF-Sensor and then I located the MAP-Sensor.

It is the part where I have circled the screw number four (4) in orange.

It was really dirty and had a lot of oil on it.

So far no problem.

But on repositioning the screw the disaster happend: The screw fell. I heard it cling-clong-cling-clong-clong-cling (or the like). As my car is the adventure version, i.e. it is equiped with a motor protection, the screw did not fall throught on the ground. I did try to get hold of the screw with two different types of this flexible magnetic sticks - well I did mess around with the sticks in the dark, as I don't know where the screw really is.

What is my question now? Besides hooking the car to a garage, get the car on a lifting platform and have the protection unmounted, a second alternative seems far more reasonable: Get hold of a new screw.

But I feel fear this is not a stanard metric thread. Anyone knows about the dimensions of the screws used in fixing this type of sensor. From viewing different videos, it seems that there are always the same type of screws used.

Thx for your compassion and thanks for any helpful comment.

Blackforest

 

[BlackForest]

Did visit the fiat workshop. PartNo 55283817. Not available. If it would be the price tag is about EUR 20,-.

It is a M5x16. I heavily doubt that. Dimensions might be correct, but the threading is a particular one.

Search goes on!

 

[Robotstar4]

Do you have any screws or bolts of assorted sizes?, at least you would be able to identify the thread size when you find one that fits, then it's just a case of getting the right length and head type (usually found on Ebay, Amazon etc.)

Any odd screws, bolts etc. I have get put in a tin for just this sort of thing.

 

[BlackForest]

I have an assortment of bolts - let's face it: a wild collection. Unfortunately nothing that fits.

It is evident, that it is not a M5x16 - which it is according to the fiat dealers database. It has a coarse pitch above standard.

Let's take it from the positive side: It is fun stuff.

My daughter did help me searching. We unmounted the protection (it is an adventure model). We did work with two of these flexibel magnetic sticks. To no avail. Then we tried to drop a M5x16 to see, where it goes to. 11 out of 12 times it just did stop its fall in the immediates. And the 12th time it fell through to the floor.

Given these facts, I should start to the play the lottery. Odds are I will win!

 

[BlackForest]

This is a M5 "thread forming screw automotive". And would this be a part I can get from a screw dealer?

 

[Robotstar4]

I spent all my working life in the automotive industry and known them as Taptite screws, would this work?

 

[BlackForest]

... known them as Taptite screws...

Great many thanks! I will try and get me one of these.