Hey guys,
I'm here too. Isn't that lovely?
A few things I've noticed about our wild and wonderful MAFs over the past year-and-a-half reading I've done over at Altimas.net
1) MAF sensor is the identical part between the 2002 Altima 2.5S and 3.5SE (original part # 22680-8J000) as confirmed by the parts list I have for that year's models.
2) 2.5S/SL owners have not seen as great a rate of MAF failures as 3.5SE owners.
3) 3.5SE owners with CAI or WAI intakes have seen a greater number of MAF failurers than those with stock intakes.
4) My original MAF (bad from the factory which I've now confirmed through problem isolation) was 22680-8JE00. This MAF was replaced last August with the Maxima MAF from TSB NTB03-022 part # 22680-AM600 and subsequent performance of the engine was wildly improved. The original MAF had not officially failed, but was throwing some weird numbers to the ECU, causing a myriad of issues.
5) The bulk of the MAF failures seem to be the heating element which receives increased amount of voltage as air volume increases and eventually seems to burn out. I don't believe there have been too many Diode failures (ie. the temperature sensor on the MAF) so far. This theory is supported by the fact that the 4-cylinder models don't see much in the way of failures, likely due to the fact that those engines do not intake as much air.
6) The diode would not be difficult to replace, the heating element would be greatly so.
7) Bosch is now another source for the MAF. Hopefully it's a more rugged design.
I just found an auto wrecker up here in Toronto, Canada that recently got a (right-side) smashed in 2002 Altima 2.5S and I may endeavour to purchase a second MAF from them (as long as it's not 22680-8JE00 Part #) for 157.50 Canadian (about $130.00 U.S.). If I do, I would make that MAF available to any of you for a discounted price (ie. less than I pay for it) if I never need it while I have the Altima 3.5SE, which is going back off lease in September 2005, and will likely not be replaced with another Altima or Maxima).
Anyway, that's my $.02 Cdn (or $.0170 U.S.)
Cheers,
10e