Cleaned my intake and now car will not start?

NATHAN.WERTZ

MEMBER
2018 TOYOTA CAMRY
90,000 MILES

I cleaned my cold air intake today and followed all the steps. Intake is dry flow so I used a dry flow intake cleaner provided by the company. Rinsed it and put the intake back into the car and now the car will not start. My guess is because it was damp and not dry is the reason it won’t start but I need to know.

Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 12:45 PM

1 Reply

BRENDON S

MECHANIC
653 POSTS

Hello NATHAN.WERTZ,

It is possible if cleaner got on the Mass Air Flow Senor or MAF. You can try cleaning it with a special cleaner. I will add an image for you.

Unplug it and remove it from the vehicle.

Only handle it by the plastic connector part.

Follow instruictions on can. It evaporates pretty quickly but let it dry a couple hours to be safe.

Re-install and plug back in.

See if the car starts.

Here is a link to some cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/CRC-05610-Mass-Sensor-Cleaner/dp/B00BPMCJKQ/ref=asc_df_B00BPMCJKQ?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80470559180673&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584070147491965&psc=1

This is a good brand, I use it myself. Your local auto parts store should have some as well.

Thank you,
Brendon

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