How do you clean a mass air flow - MAF - sensor on a Taurus - Sable?

Answer 1

It is located in the air intake duct work, to the left of the air filter. Look for 2 wires leading to the sensor unit from the outside to pinpoint it's exact location in the housing/duct.

That's where you would spray an electronic cleaner* to try an eliminate a check engine code reporting a MAF sensor problem.

* Do NOT use plain old carb cleaner or the like - ask at the parts store for the right kind of cleaner to use in order to avoid damaging this very expensive sensor.

The mass air flow sensor is inside the air intake housing - to the left of where the air filter is located.

AnswerThere should be a hose clamp holding the air intake tube on. Loosen this clamp. Disconnect the air sensor from the part you just unclamped. Release the clamp thing that holds the other end of the tube to the air filter box. Remove this hose to get it out of your way. Now what you should see is a square shaped sensor that covers the opening toward the engine. There will be four screws. Remove the screws and disconnect the connector. It should be off now. AnswerIt does happen, yes. This is usually due to excessive contamination, but can happen for other reasons. If it provides no signal at all, it is probably bad. If it produces a signal indicating less airflow than normal, first try cleaning the sensor with MAF sensor cleaner and confirm that there are no leaks between the MAF and throttle body or any vacuum leaks or leaks in the PCV and breather hoses.

I also had the identical problem. I disconnected the MAF sensor and that did not make any difference. I located the PCV and the rubber vacuum line coming out of it and found that it had collapsed at one end where it turned 90 degrees and connected into a larger hard line. I was surprised that my local auto parts supply could order a replacement for $16 since this rubber connector is unique. Problem solved.