[johnj189]

My Mass Air Flow Sensor failed this past February. I had it replaced in March 2010 at Tires Plus since they were conveniently located near my house. It was about a $500 part + labor. My check engine has been on and off ever since.

I brought it back to Tires Plus, they say they ran the code and it said there was a problem with my gas cap. They reset the code, and it went away for a couple weeks. It came back, so I took it to Nissan and they ran the code. They said my MAF is failing and needs to be replaced.

Does anyone have any insight as far as how 2 shops can plug into my truck and find 2 VERY different problems?

I brought my truck back to Tires Plus earlier today and told them what Nissan found. They are going to look at it and give me a ring tomorrow sometime.

 

[Zero Six LE]

Hope it works out for you. Let us know what you find out.

 

[dubie2003]

Without knowing the codes by number, they very well may have pulled two different things.

Now for when they replaced the MAF, did they go oem or used or what?

OEM parts carry a 12k/12m warranty so if it did go out, just have it replaced for free.

If it is a gas cap, I would once again go oem. The gasket tends to go out some times and aftermarket caps just don't seem to cut it but the OEM one will.

 

[johnj189]

Tires Plus says it was a new part, ordered from Nissan. To be honest, I don't trust Tires Plus at all. I've had a few bad dealings with them. The only reason I'm going back is to see if I need them to replace this MAF.

Nissan gave me this:
Code P0102 MAF SEN/CIRCU
NEEDS MAF SENSOR REPLACED
Code P0442 EVAP SMALL LEAK DETECTED
NEEDS VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACED

 

[chaz]

buy your own code reader,fix it your self

 

[dubie2003]

The first code sounds like the MAF. If it was OEM nissan, it should be a free part. Just make sure you have the paperwork. If not, push Tires Plus for the replacement.

The second code popped up on a ClubFrontier.org search. It agreed, vent control valve. Some also said that it was connected to a TSB or something that was good for 50k so it may be worth looking thru the TSBs to see if it shows up or anything.

 

[johnj189]

Tires Plus said they found a code about the vent leak, but NOT a code for the MAF. The only way I would know the truth is to buy a code reader, as I'm not inclined to believe the guys at Tires Plus.

 

[rogzballz]

Can't believe you're having all this trouble for a MAF.
I would believe the Nissan dealership on reading the code and have TirePlus give you back your parts and money for wasting your time ...

 

[johnj189]

Can't believe you're having all this trouble for a MAF.
I would believe the Nissan dealership on reading the code and have TirePlus give you back your parts and money for wasting your time ...

Seriously. I replaced my MAF with a refurb MAF in 2007 b/c it went bad. Then had it replaced by Tires Plus in March of this year for the same thing.

What are the chances of Tires Plus giving me back my money for the MAF install? The MAF from Nissan is almost $500!

 

[dubie2003]

Tires Plus said they found a code about the vent leak, but NOT a code for the MAF. The only way I would know the truth is to buy a code reader, as I'm not inclined to believe the guys at Tires Plus.

Most auto parts stores will check the codes for free. Just stop in and ask. Worst they can say is that "our code reader is broken".

 

[Dana_15]

Where do you live? Maybe someone here can read the codes for you....

 

[johnj189]

I'm in Central Florida.

 

[domoMKIV]

I'm in Central Florida.

It seems like the central FL members are increasing quickly.

 

[bwarren228]

Do you have an intake or a drop-in K&N filter by chance?

 

[something else]

The code readers the auto parts stores have do not always identify Nissan-specific codes, especially if the Nissan code is more recent than the firmware or software on the reader.

It is HIGHLY unlikely the Nissan dealer misread the codes.

I had Autozone scan for codes when I got a check engine light in 2006 and they had no idea what it meant. The screen on the reader said "make specific - unknown." Turned out to be the code for a loose gas cap after I called the dealer with the code.

 

[dubie2003]

Do you have an intake or a drop-in K&N filter by chance?

Checking for oil I see, lol.

 

[bwarren228]

Yea, I've seen too many people try to oil BOTH sides of the filter... and all it does is suck the oil off the backside and ruin the MAF sensor!

 

[johnj189]

Yea, I've seen too many people try to oil BOTH sides of the filter... and all it does is suck the oil off the backside and ruin the MAF sensor!

I've had the truck for almost 6 years, and I did have a K&N filter in it for the first 5 years I owned it. I never oiled both sides though, I followed the directions with the K&N cleaning kit.

But at this point in time I have a standard air filter in.

I went looking for a deal online for a code reader and found this one:

Advance Auto Parts New $25 off $75 Coupon Code - Actron Code Reader $31 Deal - Reviews and Compare Prices

It's the Actron PocketScan Plus Code Reader for around $31 after the coupon code. It got pretty positive reviews on Advanced Auto's site and Amazon.

 

[dubie2003]

If you really want to buy a reader, then buy one that is around 100 bucks or so.

If you go to autozone or advanced or etc.... they can read the codes for free. Just get the numbers and look them up online and go from there. If you need a MAF, check junkyards and ebay.

I have to ask, how has your mpg been doing and where is your idle?

 

[johnj189]

If you really want to buy a reader, then buy one that is around 100 bucks or so.

If you go to autozone or advanced or etc.... they can read the codes for free. Just get the numbers and look them up online and go from there. If you need a MAF, check junkyards and ebay.

I have to ask, how has your mpg been doing and where is your idle?

I haven't noticed any changes in my mpg, though I have not been paying too close attention.

My idle is just below 1k and it's steady. For about 2 weeks after I got this new MAF put in (in March of this year) it was idling somewhat erratically. Basically it was moving up and down from 900rpm to 1100rpm.