Mass Air Flow and Temperature Intake Sensor Circuit Low

Tiny
MRSHARP86
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 BUICK REGAL
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 72,000 MILES
I’ve owned it about four years now, and the only engine-related things I’ve done is to add a K&N Typhoon Air Intake system - added roughly two years ago or about 30,000 miles. That addition added a little extra kick to the car, and all was well until a some months ago.

A few months back my CEL illuminated. I took the car to the dealership and they advised that my MAF sensor needed replacing, my throttle body needed cleaning, and that my K&N air filter needed cleaning.

I chose to do the work myself due to the 300-400% dealer markups on cost, and completed the cleaning of the air filter and replaced the MAF. I’m still needing to do the throttle body at this time (hopefully will be completed tomorrow). I also bought one of the nicer Bluetooth OBDII code scanners, cleared all the codes after I did these couple things, and within no time all the codes reappeared.

In looking at the air flow rate per the MAF, it’s reading a constant 0, driving or idle, always a 0. I checked the wire harness and connection, all appear to be good. No corrosion I can see, etc. I don’t see or feel any obvious vacuum leaks, but I haven’t had it vacuum tested either.

I’m no auto repair pro; however, even with a still dirty throttle body, I would think either the old MAF or the new one should read some kind of air intake flow. But nothing the old read 0 all the time before I swapped it out, and this new replacement MAF sensor reads that same number - 0.

The dealership told me the MAF circuit is the root of all the codes I am seeing on the scanner (photo of all codes attached); however, maybe it’s bigger than that?

Before I go digging further and pulling my hair out, can y’all please give me some advice as to what to do to get this resolved? I don’t have an issue going through various potential causes in detail myself, but I don’t want to be going through stuff and it not be in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 4:26 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey MRSHARP86,

What codes do you have stored?

First thing to do would be to check the fuse for the MAF.

This does also supply the fuel composition sensor if fitted so you would have a code for that if applicable.

Fuse 11 in under hood fuse box, 10 amp.

I have attached the wiring diagrams for the associated circuits with the wires for the MAF highlighted.

Hope that helps, let me know how it goes.

Regards, Joe
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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
MRSHARP86
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hey there Joe,

Thanks so much for the quick reply! If it is something that simple I’m going to be both elated and frustrated at the same time!
Yesterday I replaced all spark plugs, it was about time for those at 70,000 miles, and I also removed the air intake piping and cleaned it thoroughly, and then lightly cleaned the throttle body, but I didn’t even think to check the fuse - go figure.
Since I had the battery unhooked for thirty or so hours, all the codes reset; then, when I drove it this morning nothing popped back on. Until this afternoon and low and behold, all codes reappeared.
I’ll try the fuse thing today and post back here to let you know. For now, I’ll attach some pictures and an image of what my codes read this afternoon upon them all reappearing.
Thanks again!

- Landon
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Monday, March 25th, 2019 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey MRSHARP86,

From the codes it does look like the fuse could be the culprit. Intake air temperature is integrated into the MAF and you did also have a fuel condition sensor issue.

You may then be looking for a reason why the fuse has blown.

Please do keep us posted on the repair.

Regards, Joe
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Monday, March 25th, 2019 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
MRSHARP86
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Well Joe, you my friend are an automotive genius! I have to run to get a 10A fuse real quick to confirm, but that sucker looks pretty blown to me. If I pop in the new fuse and it clears everything that’ll do a couple things. 1) Confirm you are awesome at what you do. 2) The Buick dealership I have been to many times have no clue what they’re doing.

I’ll post an update momentarily once I put in the new one!
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey MRSHARP86,

Thank you, I really appreciate you saying that it is a great compliment. I am glad we are getting somewhere with this.

I am eagerly anticipating the result of replacing the fuse.

Fingers crossed that will be the end of your issue.

Regards, Joe
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
MRSHARP86
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Well Joe, I can confirm you pinpointed the issue, I replaced the fuse, and the car's CEL light went off on the next drive! I am so glad I didn't let the dealership do any of the work they suggested (I'll post a photo of the text I received from the service adviser there showing what they said they found during their "diagnostic"). I paid $160.00 for that diagnostic to only get either lied to or complete ignorance!

Bottom line, you found the issue with ease by looking at the codes, and even pointed me to the exact fuse with the diagram causing the issue. Thus, from now on, I'll be coming on this site first for sure. Thank you again for your help on this, my car is grateful too!
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Sunday, March 31st, 2019 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey MRSHARP86,

So glad that you have finally got to the cause of this issue.

The guys doing the diagnostics at the dealer are only human and they are on pretty tight time constraints.

The fact is that they should have found this during the initial diagnostics, it would have been the first thing to check.

Keep an eye on it and if it returns you may have an underlying issue. Let us know and we can try and help you look into it further.

Fingers crossed you are in the clear.

Many thanks for using 2CarPros and for the glowing review.

Regards, Joe
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Sunday, March 31st, 2019 AT 9:51 PM

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