I purchased a Tektall mass air flow sensor and shipped it to Costa Rica to install in my 1994 80 series. Had it installed and it made the car run horribly. Took it off and put the original on and its running much better. I called Toyota to see if I could find one from Toyota but its discontinued. Anyone have experience with swapping this? if so what brand did you use? Thanks in advance
Recommendations for a MAF sensor replacement that actually works (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter CarvajalGroup
- Start date
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Why did you replace it?
- Thread starter
- #3
Rough Idle, high vibrations when AC was running, mechanic recommended it.
I kinda wanted to start a thread on this topic.
I own a 97 though, I think they are a bit different.
I got fault codes leading to a diagnostic of a bad MAF sensor.
3 new ones and a used one were tried with no success. They all ran far worse than the original one I have (which is also cracked - the housing that is).
I got a theory though on why all the other ones were "bad".
Quick story for background.
A number of years ago I wanted to switch my MAF sensor for a 4Runner one at the advice of a couple of members here.
I got a new housing which could accommodate the 4Runner sensor and installed it.
I switched the wires around as instructed and fired the engine up. It ran badly. I got the original one back in and switched the wires back the way they should be.
Looking bad I think I know why it ran badly. I never adjusted the timing as those members stated I should do.
The idea was to make the engine a bit more responsive, not necessarily gain more power.
Fast forward a few years and I started having issues with the original MAF sensor.
I took it to different mechanics, one added an extra ground wire and it ran fine for a few months. Relapse. Took it to a different mechanic who cleaned it up. It ran fine for a few months. Relapse. Took it to another mechanic who said timing was wrong. Ran fine for a few months. Relapse. Took it again to a different mechanic who adjusted the timing yet again. Ran fine for a few months. Relapse, etc, etc.
After trying those 3 new sensors and the used one and failing to make the engine run smoothly, I came to the conclusion that the timing on my engine is set to run well with the bad MAF sensor I got.
Once a new sensor was installed nobody ever adjusted the timing.
So my original sensor could be faulty and running outside the normal parameters, but by adjusting the timing somehow it works (barely probably) within some normal parameters.
Long story for what I am about to say.
If you replace your MAF sensor, see if you can or should adjust the timing in case the new one runs worse than the original one.
I own a 97 though, I think they are a bit different.
I got fault codes leading to a diagnostic of a bad MAF sensor.
3 new ones and a used one were tried with no success. They all ran far worse than the original one I have (which is also cracked - the housing that is).
I got a theory though on why all the other ones were "bad".
Quick story for background.
A number of years ago I wanted to switch my MAF sensor for a 4Runner one at the advice of a couple of members here.
I got a new housing which could accommodate the 4Runner sensor and installed it.
I switched the wires around as instructed and fired the engine up. It ran badly. I got the original one back in and switched the wires back the way they should be.
Looking bad I think I know why it ran badly. I never adjusted the timing as those members stated I should do.
The idea was to make the engine a bit more responsive, not necessarily gain more power.
Fast forward a few years and I started having issues with the original MAF sensor.
I took it to different mechanics, one added an extra ground wire and it ran fine for a few months. Relapse. Took it to a different mechanic who cleaned it up. It ran fine for a few months. Relapse. Took it to another mechanic who said timing was wrong. Ran fine for a few months. Relapse. Took it again to a different mechanic who adjusted the timing yet again. Ran fine for a few months. Relapse, etc, etc.
After trying those 3 new sensors and the used one and failing to make the engine run smoothly, I came to the conclusion that the timing on my engine is set to run well with the bad MAF sensor I got.
Once a new sensor was installed nobody ever adjusted the timing.
So my original sensor could be faulty and running outside the normal parameters, but by adjusting the timing somehow it works (barely probably) within some normal parameters.
Long story for what I am about to say.
If you replace your MAF sensor, see if you can or should adjust the timing in case the new one runs worse than the original one.
Fj80oregon
GOLD Star
You have a VAF not a MAF vain air flow meter, best to have it rebuilt, buy a known good used one from the classifieds. I have read that a Toyota Camry VAF will work with our trucks but never tested this. The guys over in Australia always bring up the Camry replacement.
most call the 94 and older style AFM or air flow meter or VAF (vain air flow meter) and 95+ is mass air flow sensor. can't really give good advice without more data. there should be a long list of test data before an expensive component is replaced. I've never heard of that brand before, may not be a quality part. original AFM might be ok? hows compression and ignition system, vacuum leaks? EGR?
You have an air flow meter on an OBD1 FZJ80 and there are diagnostic tests in the Toyota factory service manual (FSM) that you can download from the resources section.
Any "mechanic" that simply replaces parts without testing is not worth your time and money.
Are you getting any error codes?
Rough idle is likely a vacuum leak, but can be caused by other things.
When was the last full tune up?
voodu3
SILVER Star
I don’t know if this is a viable option for you in Costa Rica but I used this service and mine works great now. Pardon Our Interruption... - https://ebay.us/m/WyRwbC
ppc
M Go Blue
Changing the VAF/AFM has nothing to do with engine timing.
Find a mechanic that you trust,stick with him. Hoping from mechanic to another mechanic is a waste time and money.
Find a mechanic that you trust,stick with him. Hoping from mechanic to another mechanic is a waste time and money.
I made the mistake of pulling the screws on my air flow sensor when doing some wire repair. Bad idea. Pulled the unit out and of course broke one of the connectors. Removed the unit, torn out the old silicon, soldered it back to gether and 4 hours later all worked normal. That was several months ago. Fast forward to last week, removed my step sides on my 94 as I just did not like the look. After removing I started it up to back it out and it RAN ROUGH! So I went backward and could not find anything that I did while removing the steps that could have made it run poorly??? I assumed it was the MAS that I had repaired. So I ordered a new one off of ebay. Carefully installed it and Truck ran like s***, same as before?? I took my repaired one apart and my repair was fine. Truck ran fine above 1500 RPM, but sputtered and died at low RPM and would not take throttle. Checked vacuum lines, wiring connections etc. Nothing. Pulled the TPS and moved it, then reinstalled it in a slightly different clocking. Truck runs fine??? Need to recalibrate per FMS and I will order a new one. Old trucks!!!!
