Air Flow Meter Plug (1 Viewer)

[jbtower]

Ok guys, I'm a rookie and this is my first post. I've had my 1994 LC for about 1 year, it has 130,000 miles, and love it. This forum has inspired me to follow your lead and do all the basic maintenace myself. I want to baseline all the fluids etc. Just completed oil change, converting to Mobile 1. Now I'm on the air filter and I've done alot of searches, but my question is so basic I cant find any info in past threads related to the Air Flow Meter Plug. Question - I know I need to remove the Air flow Meter plug, but I am pulling pretty hard on the thing and it wont budge and I dont want to break anything. Are they normally very difficult to un-plug. Any suggestions on how to get it off?, or do I just throw caution to wind pull like a mad dog. thanks in advance, and by the way, this forum is addicting. I am learning a ton...expect more questions in the future, especially as I build up my courage to tackle the birfs!

 

[cruiserdan]

There is a wire "bail" that secures the plug to the meter. You do not need to un-plug the wire to change the air filter, if that is what you are trying to do.

 

[cruiserdan]

Oh,

Crap, I forgot........... WELCOME .....

 

[semlin]

Welcome, and why are you removing it?
Isn't that the one with the special warning not to undo the screws? You didn't undo the screws did you?

 

[jbtower]

Thanks Cruiser Dan for the quick response. I ordered the FSM from you a couple of weeks ago. Sorry to be such an idiot about this, but I have the FSM open in front of me I dont see anything like a "wire bail" in the diagrams and I just went out an looked at the actual meter connector plug again and just dont see any wire bale??? Is the wire bale attached to the plug?

 

[Scamper]

You're thinking of the TPS...the MAF sensor plug gets a bit tight after a while. I've taken to GENTLY useing a screwdriver to pry it off while pushing on the release thingy. I've also gone to spraying silicone spray on the connection when replacing it to prevent/minimize this in the future.

But one normally does not need to pull this plug, unless you're trying to remove the MAF or to clean it.

 

[CruisinGA]

Wait, wait.

Are you undoing the plug to replace the air filter?


It has been said before so I'll yell this time.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THAT PLUG TO R&R THE AIR FILTER. COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY

 

[jbtower]

Have not removed any screws, just following directions from previous posts in the FAQ's on best way to clean / change air filter and the post mentions that you should unplug the VAF meter connecter. It just looks like a plug that should un-plug pretty easy, but it wont budge??? I'm going, how hard can this be but obviously its not as easy as it looks. should I leave the plug alone and just undo the clamp that connets to the large hose leading to the throttle body?

 

[jbtower]

Ok, sorry, I'm a rookie learning how to do this stuff and must have missed the post regarding no need to undo the plug. I'll leave the plug as is and proceed. thanks for your help.

 

[Scamper]

If you're just replacing the A/F, then undo the two small bolts that hold the MAF to the A/F body and pull the whole assembly off. I do it all the time without any difficulty. If you take the hose off the MAF, you may find it difficult to put back on.

 

[semlin]

I know there is a right way to do it, but I just undo the big ring clamp on the bellows at the throttle body, then undo the air filter cover and lift the cover up and away from the t-body easing the bellows off the t body.

 

[Scamper]

One other thought: the flexible hose that runs from the MAF to the TB gets brittle with age, and if you horse it around too vigorously, you can crack it. You may not see the crack, but it can be the cause of a poor running engine afterwards. That's why I undo the bolts instead of just prying the A/F lid up. That hose is not inexpensive if you have to replace it.

 

[semlin]

yup, I believe you can also protect it by sliding it off the TBody as you pull off the air filter cover but I may try Scampers method next time.

 

[jbtower]

Thanks everyone for your idea's on the best way to do this. It sounds like there are different opinions on the "best" way, so I feel better knowing that others have had to figure this out as well. I am going to take the route of loosening the least bolts / clamps as possible while being careful not to crack any plastic hoses. My main learning is I dont need to monkey with un-doing the plug. I'll let you chaps know if I run into problems or have additional questions.