Mass Air Flow Error Code - Often Won't Start and Won't go over 2000 RPM

Tiny
EANDJ709
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Right now my car will not start, it just sounds like its out of gas, it trys to turn over but doesn't. When it does manage to start; I smell fumes in the car, it takes a long time to pick up speed, it will not go over 2,000 RPM, when I press on the gas it barely accelerates, and just kind of shakes and sounds like a plastic bag under my car. Before this started happening, my car sat not working for 6 months, I had a mechanic get it started and I was told that my gaskets were flooded, he mickey mouse fixed it (it worked, but with less horsepower and a very loud sound!) So I took it to a muffler shop (by recommendation) and I believe all they did was lift it up, noticed a gasket missing, charged me for a gasket ($20), put it on, and the sound was gone and my car was working like new again (but still had a Engine light, with a code saying Mass Air Flow). Well after about 2 weeks of driving fine, that's when my current problem started. I looked at the MAF sensor, it looks brand new, and the plastic bag sound leads me to believe there is a leak somewhere. At first it wouldn't go over 3000 RPM, then it just got worse and worse. And now it won't even start. A few times when it DID start, it worked perfectly for a whole 2 minutes of driving, then right back to the problem. Any ideas of what my problem is?
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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 AT 7:03 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Let me know what code was found. Also, has anyone checked to see if the catalytic converter is plugging? And what did the mechanic cheaply fix?
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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 AT 7:47 PM
Tiny
EANDJ709
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The code was P0102. The mechanic apparently unflooded my converter or gasket, which he got the car to start (after 2 mechanics could not get it to start and said that its losing pressure somewhere) but although it started, it created a really loud sound while I drove it. But he left some parts off, a spring and apparently a gasket. When I took it to the muffler shop they lifted it up and said "there are parts missing" I looked in my car and there was a spring that I gave to him, he said there was a gasket missing as well.I couldnt find that (dont know exactly what the mechanic did) so I told him I wasnt sure what happened to it. He charged me for one and put it right on for me. It took about 15 min total. The muffler shop said it wasnt plugged
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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 AT 8:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Other than a visual inspection, has any one diagnosed the MAF sensor?
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Thursday, July 24th, 2014 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
EANDJ709
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No - no one has diagnosed the MAF Sensor any further then just cleaning it.
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Thursday, July 24th, 2014 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
If I provide directions, is it something you can do? It will require some basic tools, a volt meter.
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Thursday, July 24th, 2014 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
EANDJ709
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  • 4 POSTS
Yes I can. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Although, the car will not start right now.
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Thursday, July 24th, 2014 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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The first part is easy. We are just inspecting the intake system,

First, check air intake tube between air filter housing and intake. Make sure nothing is obstructing the tube. Also, check to make sure there are no vacuum hoses off, damaged, or disconnected.

If all is good, next we need to check grounds. See pic attached and check them to make sure they are clean and tight.

If the grounds are good, next we need to check the MAF sensor power supply. To do this, disconnect the MAF wiring plug and then turn the key on. Check for power at terminal 2 and ground. There should be battery voltage.

This is where I have to stop and wait for your reply so I know what to do next. This may take some time, but we'll get it.

Joe
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Thursday, July 24th, 2014 AT 7:10 PM

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