new MAF sensor from ebay, do I need to "reset adaptations"

[niti2216]

I had another thread for the "car stopped all of the sudden" but I thought this deserved a new thread.

Car stalled with a bunch of lights on. After waiting, car started ok and got home. Got the codes:
air mass sensor
throttle valve position controller stuck open temporarily
throttle valve position controller stuck open permanently
coolant thernostat jammed open

Got some quotes for MAF sensor from local dealers ranging from $400 to $500! Debated getting VDO-Siemens/Vemo for $200 but decided to take a chance on ebay and got one for $43. Got the MAF sensor, but have not received parts for coolant thermostat and parts that I will install at the same time (water pump, hoses, and belts).

Finished installing just the ebay MAF sensor, cleared codes, and drove arond the block. Car seems to be running fine during the 3 minute drive.
However a notice came with the MAF with "ATTENTION" on it and it states:

"Many cars require resetting the adaptations of your ecu after installing a new MAF sensor. Failure to do so could make your car run worse or not at all. Resetting the adaptations is NOT THE SAME as resetting your fault codes. etc"

Anyone hear about this?
Has anyone have any experience with ebay MAF sensors?
Are the throttle valve codes related to the MAF?

Thanks!

[diyanich]

Replaced one with Bosch never had any adaptations or anything else reset.
Why did you change the MAF if you had no codes for it?
Also,it runs with MAF unplugged without any problems,just a Check Engine comes during the second start up.By saying that,you could've check out if those codes were MAF related without buying any new unit.
Just my thoughts.

Originally Posted by niti2216

I had another thread for the "car stopped all of the sudden" but I thought this deserved a new thread.

Car stalled with a bunch of lights on. After waiting, car started ok and got home. Got the codes:
air mass sensor
throttle valve position controller stuck open temporarily
throttle valve position controller stuck open permanently
coolant thernostat jammed open

Got some quotes for MAF sensor from local dealers ranging from $400 to $500! Debated getting VDO-Siemens/Vemo for $200 but decided to take a chance on ebay and got one for $43. Got the MAF sensor, but have not received parts for coolant thermostat and parts that I will install at the same time (water pump, hoses, and belts).

Finished installing just the ebay MAF sensor, cleared codes, and drove arond the block. Car seems to be running fine during the 3 minute drive.
However a notice came with the MAF with "ATTENTION" on it and it states:

"Many cars require resetting the adaptations of your ecu after installing a new MAF sensor. Failure to do so could make your car run worse or not at all. Resetting the adaptations is NOT THE SAME as resetting your fault codes. etc"

Anyone hear about this?
Has anyone have any experience with ebay MAF sensors?
Are the throttle valve codes related to the MAF?

Thanks!

[diyanich]

BTW,I bought that Bosch off eBay for $160+shipping.

Originally Posted by niti2216

I had another thread for the "car stopped all of the sudden" but I thought this deserved a new thread.

Car stalled with a bunch of lights on. After waiting, car started ok and got home. Got the codes:
air mass sensor
throttle valve position controller stuck open temporarily
throttle valve position controller stuck open permanently
coolant thernostat jammed open

Got some quotes for MAF sensor from local dealers ranging from $400 to $500! Debated getting VDO-Siemens/Vemo for $200 but decided to take a chance on ebay and got one for $43. Got the MAF sensor, but have not received parts for coolant thermostat and parts that I will install at the same time (water pump, hoses, and belts).

Finished installing just the ebay MAF sensor, cleared codes, and drove arond the block. Car seems to be running fine during the 3 minute drive.
However a notice came with the MAF with "ATTENTION" on it and it states:

"Many cars require resetting the adaptations of your ecu after installing a new MAF sensor. Failure to do so could make your car run worse or not at all. Resetting the adaptations is NOT THE SAME as resetting your fault codes. etc"

Anyone hear about this?
Has anyone have any experience with ebay MAF sensors?
Are the throttle valve codes related to the MAF?

Thanks!

[niti2216]

I got the code, "air mass sensor" which led me to think that I needed to change it. Thought that was the same as MAF sensor, is that not right?

[diyanich]

It is,my bad
So what makes you feel that there are any adaptation to be reset?
If you have no more codes,then no worries I guess.
I had a throttle code when it was really cold and it seemed to get frozen due to a gas in the tank being low and probably containing some condensed water,followed by the Engine Failsafe Mode until it melted down and engine ran without any problems.
Just to let you know,you may have some harness problem or a bad ground on that harness,because all the accessories you got codes from are on the same harness running though the left engine bank(passenger side,I assume you have a V8 4.4i)
So keep that in mind,maybe ground is loose from when somebody swapped the spark plugs or coils.

Originally Posted by niti2216

I got the code, "air mass sensor" which led me to think that I needed to change it. Thought that was the same as MAF sensor, is that not right?

[Bulk]

A MAF sensor is purely that.... a "Sensor". There should be no need to do any resets just like you wouldn't need to for an Oil Pressure sensor or a Coolant level sensor.

[Rewmer]

The Engine ECU in your X learns . It bases its fuelling on the inputs from the MAF, crank,cam, knock, etc sensors and then the resultant output from the O2 sensors. Over time it learns the best setting for ignition and fuelling to give the correct fuel air mix. When you change a sensor that can give a variable reading like the MAF, this "learnt" behavior can be upset if the readings it has got used to are a lot different from expected.

If this is this the case the ECU will quickly adjust the short term fuel trims to bring harmony back and smooth running whilst making a note of the adjustment and tweaking the long term trims. It can take a while for the ECU to settle down after replacemnt of these items so a reset of the adaptions or "learning" is called for. This just resets the ECU to factory and wipes its learnt fuelling adaption.

Your biggest problem will be that you have bought more than likely a Chinese MAF and it will no doubt not be too long before you get a MIL lamp and a code saying " out of range" or simalar as the MAF fails.
Just dont scrimp on these items.You may be lucky, but in my experience, you have just wasted your $$$$$$.

[Ldiggs910]

Originally Posted by Rewmer

The Engine ECU in your X learns . It bases its fuelling on the inputs from the MAF, crank,cam, knock, etc sensors and then the resultant output from the O2 sensors. Over time it learns the best setting for ignition and fuelling to give the correct fuel air mix. When you change a sensor that can give a variable reading like the MAF, this "learnt" behavior can be upset if the readings it has got used to are a lot different from expected.

If this is this the case the ECU will quickly adjust the short term fuel trims to bring harmony back and smooth running whilst making a note of the adjustment and tweaking the long term trims. It can take a while for the ECU to settle down after replacemnt of these items so a reset of the adaptions or "learning" is called for. This just resets the ECU to factory and wipes its learnt fuelling adaption.

Your biggest problem will be that you have bought more than likely a Chinese MAF and it will no doubt not be too long before you get a MIL lamp and a code saying " out of range" or simalar as the MAF fails.
Just dont scrimp on these items.You may be lucky, but in my experience, you have just wasted your $$$$$$.

Excellent and quite logical explanation. How does one reset the ecu to factory? Im about to change my O2 sensors.

[Rewmer]

Originally Posted by Bulk

A MAF sensor is purely that.... a "Sensor". There should be no need to do any resets just like you wouldn't need to for an Oil Pressure sensor or a Coolant level sensor.

A reset isnt required but advised as it will take a while for the ECU to adapt to the new readings.

Throw the eBay MAF in the trash, for the money it will give you more problems than have already and will lead you round in circles. Get som KG/h readings from your original one and compare them to some known good ones like these.....................

4.4 hot engine - all loads off

Idle 600rpm 17.1kg/h
1500 36.9
2000 50.2
3000 72.0

Dont waste money swapping parts without testing..

[Rewmer]

Originally Posted by Ldiggs910

Excellent and quite logical explanation. How does one reset the ecu to factory? Im about to change my O2 sensors.

I believe the scanner 1.4 or Carsoft or others have an adaptive re-set feature.