Is MAF sensor actually necessary? TD5

Hi all,

Had many cold start problems with my defender. i.e. stalling and low power output.

Suspected faulty MAF and simply unplugged. Car has completely come alive with great acceleration and perforamance.

I removed my EGR valve ages ago but is the MAF still providing important informaition to the ECU.

Can I simply leave it unplugged or is it something I need to actually fix.

Many thanks

Alastair

Yes it's required for the fuelling calculations the ECU makes. When they fail and you unplug it the ECU uses a "best guess" value instead, which is why it runs better than the incorrect values it was presumably giving beforehand. If your MAF is indeed at fault then replacing it with a new one should give even better performance as it will be back to normal.

Make sure you use a genuine LR replacement or siemens VDO, the cheap ones really are not worth contemplating

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Could anyone post a link to a genuine one? All the cheap ads everywhere insist they're 'genuine' can't tell what to buy!


Cheers

Alastaird said:

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Could anyone post a link to a genuine one? All the cheap ads everywhere insist they're 'genuine' can't tell what to buy!


Cheers

Click to expand...

The price will give you a clue. Or go to a LR dealership.

thanks guys will do

Try this Air Folw Sensor TD5 MHK100620 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.
I'm sure it's the cheapest Siemens VDO unit available at the moment and free delivery

It may not be ideal,but there are loads of TD5 Defenders and DII's running around with the maf disconnected.They will pass the mot test and run far better than with a duff unit.Many owners are so fed up with paying out large bills its one thing they feel they can ignore.
Their choice,but I totally agree about not buying cheapo aftermarket ones,never seen one that works properly.

thanks everyone - will buy and hope fixes problem.

Such a great forum everyone is so helpful!

Alastair

Hi everyone, So The replacement MAF sensor arrived today and I just fitted it (a genuine expensive one from Island 4x4)

Started the car and starts perfectly but now there is a huge flat spot at low end RPM, Engine doesn't stall or anything but with the MAF plugged in even when you floor it in 1st gear the RPM creeps up so slowly...

Takes an age to accelerate off from a traffic light. It's positively dangerous pulling into the road...


Any ideas?? is there anything else I need to do with my ECU maybe?

To reiterate drives amazingly with MAF unplugged. (Have done nearly 500 miles this week without it before the new one arrived...)

Many thanks

Alastair

could it be an AAP problem? - just been reading about it for the first time...

Unplugged the trouble some maf today and running 10 times better , people keep saying to only get the LR replacement but it seems to me that the genuine maf replacement is keeping land rover in business.
Disco runs better without it so sod it

My 2005 Defender TD5 won't start if the MAF unit is unplugged.

It will start once after you unplug it, but after that the engine just turns over on the starter and does not fire up.

lightning said:

My 2005 Defender TD5 won't start if the MAF unit is unplugged.

It will start once after you unplug it, but after that the engine just turns over on the starter and does not fire up.

Click to expand...

I have a 2001 TD5 and the MAF is unplugged and starts no problem for me. Mike who remapped the ECU tested it to start and said it was faulty. It's been unplugged since and i've just not got around to ordering a new one. I'm now worried if I do get a new one, it will adversely affect my new improved performance!