Hello all. I've got a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4wd with 64,000 miles. A few days ago the "service engine soon" light came on. Advance Auto checked it and it says that the mass air flow sensor is probably bad.
The code is "p0100 MAF or VAC circuit malfunction"
The guy at Advance said that the mass air flow sensor was a Nissan only part...which sounds expensive .
I've read a lot on here of folks replacing the MAF themselves. My question is, where is this sensor located?
There's a sensor inline with the airfilter (or just past the air filter as the flows). I removed this one and cleaned it with a dry paper towel to no avail. Is this the MAF sensor or is it somewhere else?
SPECIAL NOTE: I have a Fram Airhog air filter which is just like a K and N. Could this have caused my problem?
> There's a sensor inline with the airfilter (or just past the air filter as the flows). I removed this one and cleaned it with a dry paper towel to no avail. Is this the MAF sensor or is it somewhere else?
Yes, that's the MAF and the only one. I tried cleaning it too to no avail. I replaced it ($$ ouch!) and that fixed it. I have 58,000 miles on my '01, so we're about the same mileage, and I don't have a K&N. I heard that can be a problem if you over oil it, but given ours both went out around the same mileage, I doubt it is the case with this.
[quote=dhmitchell
Yes, that's the MAF and the only one. I tried cleaning it too to no avail. I replaced it ($$ ouch!) and that fixed it. I have 58,000 miles on my '01, so we're about the same mileage, and I don't have a K&N. I heard that can be a problem if you over oil it, but given ours both went out around the same mileage, I doubt it is the case with this.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the reply. When you replaced it, Did you have to have the service engine soon light reset? I just ordered a new sensor from NAPA. The only one they had in inventory was in CT. I assume that when you put the sensor in, it automatically resets the SES error? Right?
Yes I believe it automatically resets itself after a while, once the computer figures out there's not a problem any longer. I had it reset. You can ask NAPA or Autozone to reset it for you after you install the new part.
Get a can of electrical contact cleaner. Works great. I replaced 2 MAFs in my Altima. Possible culprit of the failure could be debris fouling the sensor wire. Make sure you always have a clean (or if you have aftermarket filter) properly oiled filter (don't over-oil). Vibration caould have caused it as well. Make sure everything pertaining to your intake is secured properly. If you need a MAF, try a salvage yard. That's where I got both of mine. Paid less than 100 for each. IMO, it was worth the risk of it not working, as opposed to buying a piece of plastic gold for 500 from Nissan.
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Same problem with 2001 Pathfinder LE at about 70,000 miles. Private, but nice, shop tried a NAPA MAS, which was "cheaper", but which also stranded me in Oklahoma City only 200 miles later. Installed Nissan part ($$$) via dealer service shop. SES light was on, shop said "give it a while". It never went off.
Is is possible to reset SES light manually at home?
Same problem with 2001 Pathfinder LE at about 70,000 miles. Private, but nice, shop tried a NAPA MAS, which was "cheaper", but which also stranded me in Oklahoma City only 200 miles later. Installed Nissan part ($$$) via dealer service shop. SES light was on, shop said "give it a while". It never went off.
Is is possible to reset SES light manually at home?
if you disconnect the negative battery terminal overnight it resets from what i hear. give it a shot . cant hurt.
I am happy that my 2002 Pathfinder has MAF sensor of Heat Film Type, which is easy to clean and does not collect fine dust particles at sensitive places. In my Toyota, MAF is of filament type which requires very carefull cleaning with No-residual-electric-contact cleaner and Q-Tips very 6 months or so to keep the engine idling smoothly and/or for improving the gas consumption. Once it got too much dirty/dusty and my SES light came on. After cleaning and re-setting by taking the negative terminal off for 10 minutes, the problem was resolved.
I used to wonder why they could not have gone for a more reliable MAF sensor until I came across the one in my Pathy 2002. I am living in a desert where sand and dust storms are routine business and you can only marvel at the amount of sand inside the engine compartment or a very fine dust collected on the car body after a stormy night. While living in such an area where sand and dust storms are a norm, if your sensor is of filament type, you have to clean it at least once in 6 months, regardless of your air filter type. Moreover, you have to be extra careful while cleaning since it is one of the most delicate thing in your car.
Well, i replaced mine with one from Napa and after a few short drives the SES light went off. I've been keeping the miles off it sense the rotors need turning/replacing and I'm waiting for good time to do it. I've been driving my old reliable 95 Ford Ranger. However, I drove my Pathy to work the other day and can you guess what happened??? Yep, the SES light is on again. I stopped by Autozone and can you guess what the code said??? I have to admit, it was different this time. Last time it said it was definitely the MAF but this time it says that it is either an O2 sensor or the MAF. How do I know which one???
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