MAF Sensor

I recently installed a new short-ram air intake in my '98 ZX2. I removed the large black housing labeled "air filter" in favor of the new filter. I have a three-pronged wire harness left over that I was unable to connect to the new intake, which I assume is the MAF sensor. First of all, is there any other parts I can buy which will let me hook this back up, and am I doing any damage to my car by running it without? The service engine light IS on all the time.

........... that isn't good dude. you need your MAF.

So are there any parts I can buy that'll let me reconnect it, or should I just go back to stock?

you should be able to use your stock maf w/ that intake if im not mistaken. it may take some jimmyriggin though. the reason you need an maf is because your computer has a set air to fuel ratio that it goes by and if its not sensing any air going in then it will be a bad thing. thats why your CEL is on, its not sensing airflow.

Ok, thanx for the help- I found an adapter to let me fit the MAF to my new intake, so I should be good.

cool, good luck.

Had to give up before, but I've got new parts, giving it another shot..... Just need to know if it's a big deal taking the MAF out of the casing, and how to do it, and if I'll be able to get it back in there after I take it out. I'd like to not cut anything up, but I guess that's part of this game :)

I'm suprised it'd even run without the MAP. I wouldn't advise trying to butcher it, they aren't cheap to replace. You MAF should be in the intake duct, and air flows through it, is that what you are talking about? I'm betting you are talking about the other one, cuz like I said, most won't run without MAF signal. I remember there being two sensors in the airbox area when I looked at my wife's air filter. The other is probably intake air temp (IAT) sensor or something like that. It would run with it unplugged, but would code. That one I'd risk hacking up a housing to get to. I'll have to look at the wife's car when she gets home, to see what you are looking at.

Yea, I'm sure it's the MAF.... I've got a diagram and instructions from Hotshot Performance that tells you how to put together a new intake, and it uses the phrase "Unplug wiring harness form MAF (Mass airflow meter) remove black housing from MAF." Remove black housing just seems too easy.
And by the way, even without the sensor the car did run, but the longer I drove it, the more power it lost (I guess as the computer adjusted.)
Here's the link for the diagram if you want to check it out.
http://www.hotshot.com/instructions/FM4052-3Instal.html
Thanks!!!

Yea, I'm sure it's the MAF.... I've got a diagram and instructions from Hotshot Performance that tells you how to put together a new intake, and it uses the phrase "Unplug wiring harness form MAF (Mass airflow meter) remove black housing from MAF." Remove black housing just seems too easy.
And by the way, even without the sensor the car did run, but the longer I drove it, the more power it lost (I guess as the computer adjusted.)
Here's the link for the diagram if you want to check it out.
http://www.hotshot.com/instructions/FM4052-3Instal.html
Thanks!!!

Interesting. :eek7:

Alright, check this out....
Got everything hooked up according to that diagram, and the directions. The car runs beautifully, until I take off. 2500 RPM and up, the throttle just stops responding. It jumps every few seconds if you stay on the gas. I can rev it freely in neutral, but as soon as it's in gear, this starts. I switched the vacuum hoses back and forth, and installed a breather, still no results. There is no check engine light, everything is done right, I'm out of ideas. Anyone got anything, cuz this one's stumped me and two of my tuner friends.