Topic: 2003 nissan Altima Se 3.5 l

[roadking]

I have 120 k on my car. 1) I tried to start my car and it just turned over without catching. I came back to it and it started and ran perfect for a month. 2.)I tried to start it It caught briefly, then turned over aimlessly. I had it towed to the shop, and the same day a service tech hopped in to move it and it started right up. I drove it again without prob for a few weeks.3) I came off a 2000km trip and parked it. Next day attempted to move it and it started but would only rev to 2000 rpm. I limped to to the shop and they say it is a mass airflow sensor. Nissan charges over 500.00 for this part! My worry is that the sensor is only  secondary to a larger problem. Any advice?

[Smainville]

Mass air flow sensor problems/replacement are common occurence today, any brand.  I had it happen to my Toyota.  I can't comment on the price other than does it include the labour? .

[maritime_storm]

$500 sounds right for the part. It's most likely to be a secondary problem though.

(Message edited by maritime_storm on July 19, 2005)

[Smainville]

It's a device used in many fuel injected engines to measure the amount of air entering the engine so the computer can control the air/fuel mixture. Located ahead of the throttle body, the MAF sensor uses a heated wire or filament to measure airflow.  This wire can get gummed up with time and then the problems.  Sometime they are lucky and clean it with a spray, most often it does not work.