Car will not stay running after installing new mass air filter

[Gold9er]

I have a 2002 expedition 4wd triton eddie bauer 5.4 220,000 miles
Car is on its last leg but I'ma try to fix it instead of buying a used car, someone elses problem.
Problems started when I added a bottle of seafoam to the gas tank 1 week ago. 1 day after It idles kinda rough, and when the car goes in the highest gear the engine shakes real bad. The other gears it runs fine.
Went to autozone, plugged the computer reader under the dash, it said my mass air flow sensor is bad.
I buy a new one, install it, now the car won't stay running, won't idle. I disconnected it and it runs.

Anyone know what the problem could be. It seems like the seafoam dislodged some grit and it got stuck somewhere. I hate to keep throwing parts at it and still don't work so if anyone had this problem before and knows the exact solution would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Plati]

I have a 2002 expedition 4wd triton eddie bauer 5.4 220,000 miles
Car is on its last leg but I'ma try to fix it instead of buying a used car, someone elses problem.
Problems started when I added a bottle of seafoam to the gas tank 1 week ago. 1 day after It idles kinda rough, and when the car goes in the highest gear the engine shakes real bad. The other gears it runs fine.
Went to autozone, plugged the computer reader under the dash, it said my mass air filter is bad.
I buy a new one, install it, now the car won't stay running, won't idle. I disconnected it and it runs.

Anyone know what the problem could be. It seems like the seafoam dislodged some grit and it got stuck somewhere. I hate to keep throwing parts at it and still don't work so if anyone had this problem before and knows the exact solution would be appreciated. Thanks

.

you edited your post so my question is moot

 

[Yupster Dog]

Anyone know what the problem could be.

One of two things is your problem.

1 The MAF sensor wire harness is bad.

2 You have gotten a aftermarket MAF Sensor that your truck doesn't like. (but I personally have had no problem with the aftermarket one)

Some of the sensors you buy come with the harness so I would take that sensor you got back and get the one that comes with the harness for a little more money.

I would use weather proof heat shrink on the wire splice.

And what Sticker is trying to tell you It's called a Mass Air Flow sensor.

 

[Gold9er]

the maf wire harness? You mean the flat plastic part that connects directly to the maf? or the long 2 part wire connection before it. I guess I could take it back buy another one, but I really don't want to spend anymore money on this car. But if you are sure that's it I'll do it. Will replacing the maf stop the rough idle in park and really rough idle that is in high gear?

 

[Gold9er]

If the wire harness was broke disconnecting it and reconnecting it wouldn't have any effect. The mafs is bad

 

[Plati]

I'm a hack not an expert ... but wondering if it's the fuel filter? If the Seafoam loosened stuff up in the fuel tank and sent that to the filter or mucked with crap already in filter??? I think those engine symptoms are consistent with possible fuel filter root cause. Could easily be wrong but fuel filter is cheap assuming you can get it off and new one on without buggering connections. Just an idea others can comment if this suggestion holds water. Does fuel filter look old? They are usually ignored.

 

[Gold9er]

Thanks for commenting sticker. When I removed the hose where the maf sits there was mud and dirt in that hose. Cleaned it. Ima take the defective maf back. Clean the old one real good see if it will then work. If not I'll buy one with the harness connected. If that don't work I'll try a new fuel filter

 

[Yupster Dog]

swing by the junk yard

If the wire harness was broke disconnecting it and reconnecting it wouldn't have any effect. The mafs is bad

I have been where you are and gone thru a lot of trial and error. It ended up being the wire harness. You don't put whole new wire in you just splice the new plug in.

Just FYI it did make a difference plugging in the sensor and with the sensor out.
Not saying this is your problem, but I sure wish someone had told me would have saved me a lot of time and cussing.

 

[Gold9er]

What do you mean by this: "You don't put whole new wire in you just splice the new plug in."

What do I need to splice in going by the picture.

I put the old maf in and it did the same thing, wouldn't stay running or idle. So it probably the wiring
I unhooked the maf and the car runs but it still has the symptoms before, rough idle in the highest gear. So I'm thinking maybe it's not the maf causing it to run rough in high gear

 

[Yupster Dog]

What do I need to splice

The plug was bad on mine. do you have multimeter? there is plenty of YouTube videos of how to check the MAF sensor on 5.4 2v tritons.
But your symptoms mirror mine when my plug was bad. I just spliced in the plug that plugged into the MAF sensor.

 

[Gold9er]

..

 

[Gold9er]

What do you mean by "I just spliced in the plug that plugged into the MAF sensor"
the yellow end has 6 holes. the other end there is a red plastic thing in the middle and 2 screw like things on top. I don't see anything to splice

Look at the picture i posted

 

[Gary Waugh]

Are you sure you reconnected all the breather hoses back to the air filter. On my daughters Ford Edge, there was an engine vent house from the rear engine bank that I forgot to connect back into the air filter and it caused exactly the issues you describe.. as both sensors are doing the same thing, it sounds like your issue might not be due to the MAF sensor, so just throwing out other ideas.

 

[mnachreiner86]

Are you sure you reconnected all the breather hoses back to the air filter. On my daughters Ford Edge, there was an engine vent house from the rear engine bank that I forgot to connect back into the air filter and it caused exactly the issues you describe.. as both sensors are doing the same thing, it sounds like your issue might not be due to the MAF sensor, so just throwing out other ideas.

I’d second this. There are some breather on the air inlet hose and maybe you’re getting a vacuum leak tripping a MAF code. Worth a look.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gold9er]

All the hoses are connected. I'll check again. I read in the installation directions that the new maf has to be in the exact position that the old one was in. Inside the big hose thing, I believe the maf was on the right side facing towards the front, like a usb flash drive. The car won't idle with a new maf or the old one in. But it will idle when it's disconnected. I'll order a maf cord from ebay.
I'll take pictures of the whole thing let you look at them

 

[JVinOlathe]

You have to be careful with the MAF sensor. It can only be cleaned with MAF sensor cleaner, any other fluid/cleaner such as carburetor, brake cleaner or WD40 will damage the MAF. sensor Also, be sure to not touch the MAF sensor itself since the skin oil can affect it; mechanics typically wear rubber gloves when working with the MAF sensor.
A voltmeter will help you determine if the wire is bad by checking continuity.

 

[1999]

I'm a hack not an expert ... but wondering if it's the fuel filter? If the Seafoam loosened stuff up in the fuel tank and sent that to the filter or mucked with crap already in filter??? I think those engine symptoms are consistent with possible fuel filter root cause. Could easily be wrong but fuel filter is cheap assuming you can get it off and new one on without buggering connections. Just an idea others can comment if this suggestion holds water. Does fuel filter look old? They are usually ignored.

Along this point, I ha the same issue with my 99 Expy 5.4. Chased all kinds of codes related to fuel/air mix. Think the seafoam, which I use on a regular, dislodged something fuel pump related. I would have the pressure at the rail checked. Been too long for me to remember the correct pressure but that why we have the internet.

 

[Gold9er]

You guys were right. After I took off the air filter hose all the way to the throttle body, I forgot to connect a hose. See the hose in the picture.
I bought a new maf and it runs ok.
I did a scan and it said my #7 spark plug is misfiring. the nut that holds the #7 coil is murder to get to. 1st I used 7mm connected to a socket, but not enough room to unscrew it all the way. So I made the wire inside the socket thing lol. Might help someone. I think after I put a new coil and spark plug in it will run fine...I hope. Thanks

 

[Gold9er]

Replaced the #7 spark plug and new maf and now it runs like a kitten

 

[TDBDLB]

Good report.