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Odd Limp mode Z32 MAF troubleshooting

Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 9:55 pm
by gtrpryde
Hi, so i've been scouring the forums looking for specific insight on what happened with my S13 kade-t.

Back story-

1. ka-t running a chipped ecu with Z32 MAF(no MAF issues prior)

2. Pulled intake manifold for a overhaul of all coolant and vacuum hoses, and replaced with S14 intake manifold and S14 throttle body.

3. Started car and it was in limp mode, ECU code 12 - MAF problem.

4. Car runs exactly the same regardless of whether the MAF is plugged in or not - about every thread I read said the car ran worse when the MAF was plugged in, indicating a bad MAF.

5. This MAF was working fine prior to this overhaul (it stayed plugged in but was moved out of the way during boost leak check). I don't think it was damaged...

6. Car idles strong at 1100-1200 RPMS, vacuum is a strong 20" and has been completely boost leak checked.

7. I made sure all the grounds around the intake manifold were reconnected.

Troubleshooting

1. Tightened pins on MAF harness and tried reconnecting (no changes)

2. Checked voltage on MAF harness (4 wires- 1.ECU wire:1.2V with engine off, key on, 2. Ground, 3. Ground, 4. 0V with both key on engine running or key on engine off.)

The last wire according to to the Jim Wolf diagram says 12V constant. I'm getting 0V and I don't know why. I even jumpered a 12V connection to this wire and no change, same code, same limp mode same super rich AFR ~9.2.

At this point I have no idea what is causing the MAF issue - the wiring or the MAF or the ECU (I didn't touch the ECU prior, only after to pull codes. Nothing looks amiss on the ECU.)

Questions:

1. What should the MAF harness be reading when unplugged?

2. Could anything else be causing this code?

3. Does the S14 throttle body have any effect on this? (I haven't checked TPS values or anything)

4. Does anyone have a link to testing the MAF (I heard it's possible but haven't found a procedure)

Thanks in advance for the help, I racked my brain for a few hours and couldn't figure it out. Hopefully a ECU/MAF/wiring guru on here can help!

Devin

Re: Odd Limp mode Z32 MAF troubleshooting

Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 8:05 pm
by p00t
Your MAF can't work without power.

The MAF gets power sourced from the ECCS relay which is what gives your ECU power. So if the car runs that is fine. You need to find out where the break is in the harness or run a new wire from the ECCS relay. Double check wherever you have messed with the wiring.

Re: Odd Limp mode Z32 MAF troubleshooting

Posted: Tue May 23, 2017 10:55 pm
by gtrpryde
Thanks for the reply, coincidentally, on Monday night I did just that.

After fixing my shoddy soldering job on the z32 maf plug wiring (replaced with a new wiring specialties version), it works! I had ignorantly cold soldered (melting solder with iron vs heating the wires) the wires years ago and it must have broke when moving the wiring around during this round of maintenance that I did. I had a knock sensor code after, broken wire on the plug (old age), replaced that too and all is well!