Freelander 1 Strange MAF problem (fixed)

Hi all.

Got a strange problem with my 54 plate TD4. Lost all power on the motorway last week, managed to limp home and put it on diagnostics, no codes stored. So unplugged the MAF and it was like a different car so assumed MAF sensor. Fitted a new genuine Bosch sensor which has cured the power loss.

Now the strange bit. I have a synergy tuning box fitted which has been on for the past 80 of thousand miles with no issues. I noticed that since fitting the new MAF I have loads of black smoke when accelerating hard so turned the box off to see if it made a difference. With the box off I have no power at all below about 2k revs, after this it picks up fine, there is also no black smoke. I've had the ECU reset as I was told this needs doing when replacing the MAF so it can relearn the values, this has made no difference.

This is a list of things I've done:

1. New MAF genuine Bosch
2. Replaced vacuum hoses as some were perished
3. Had ECU reset

With the synergy switched on I have power but loads of black smoke, with it off I have no power under 2k revs but no smoke at all.

Could this be the turbo solenoid and the synergy is just covering the problem?

HI Simon.
I think you will find the synergy should be matched together with a pierburg maf sensor and not a Bosch one, with the Bosch MAF make sure all the manifold is clean from the black devil gunk, also the MAP sensor is clean as well as the EGR or fit a bypass one then you should be ok.

If you still want the synergy then fit a pierburg MAF with it.

Arctic2 said:

HI Simon.
I think you will find the synergy should be matched together with a pierburg maf sensor and not a Bosch one, with the Bosch MAF make sure all the manifold is clean from the black devil gunk, also the MAP sensor is clean as well as the EGR or fit a bypass one then you should be ok.

If you still want the synergy then fit a pierburg MAF with it.

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Hi mate, thanks for the reply. The Synergy box can be used with a Bosch MAF that is failing, it has no effect on a good MAF. The Pierburg MAF is a cheaper option than the Bosch which does need the Synergy to work correctly. There is an option to turn off the MAF part of the Synergy, this is when I get the no power below 2k RPM. I'm going to put everything back to standard and see what happens, it's possible the Synergy is faulty?

So put everything back to normal and still no power. I reckon it's the turbo solenoid

S1monm said:

Hi mate, thanks for the reply. The Synergy box can be used with a Bosch MAF that is failing, it has no effect on a good MAF. The Pierburg MAF is a cheaper option than the Bosch which does need the Synergy to work correctly. There is an option to turn off the MAF part of the Synergy, this is when I get the no power below 2k RPM. I'm going to put everything back to standard and see what happens, it's possible the Synergy is faulty?

Click to expand...

Might be worth contacting Ron to see what he says.

Isn't there a switch on the Ron box to tell it which maf you are using

So an update to this and still having problems. With the MAF disconnected it runs ok, plug the MAF in and it had no power. Spoke to Ron who makes the RON Box who's a very helpful chap. He thinks it maybe the Fuel rail sensor as when the MAF is unplugged the engine goes into a default MAP setting so ignores a lot of sensor readings. Before I spend anymore money does this sound reasonable?

Turns out the MAP sensor was full of crud. Cleaned it out and the car is back to normal. Something worth checking before buying a new MAF