MAF Issues - Diagnosis/Troubleshoot & Repair: 3800 Engine Pontiac Grand Prix (All GM 3800 Engines)

[@timwray1820]

Needed to fix a nice old Oldsmobile 88 in a hurry after a lonnnnng bad day or two...went looking for a how-to and troubleshooting video once I pulled codes and saw it was probably the MAF sensor...realized that this was a Thunderhead289 video...it made my day. Thanks Luke!

[@TheBrokenLife]

A few things... That's not a GM specific tool. It's a security torx bit and they're on all sorts of stuff. Even a lot of the cheap bit kits at Walmart have them. They're easy and cheap to find. Keep an eye for a set in the discount bins. Those motors are also notorious for cracked coil packs, randomly malfunctioning crank position sensors (which require pulling the balancer to replace), and leaking intake manifolds and gaskets (which almost always take out the EGR solenoid too) as well as having picky MAFs. I'm not a fan at all of the 3800, but if your buddy is going to keep that car for awhile he should be thinking about replacing the manifold and gaskets soon. I can't tell if that's the stock manifold or not, but there are aftermarket designs which improve the problems with them. Obviously I'd get the Dexcool out of it ASAP too. A quick check to see if it's having problems is to pull the EGR and see if it's got a bunch of coolant gunk on it. If it does, he's for sure on borrowed time. All in all, I'd say a manifold job on that motor is an all day Saturday project, but it's not a nightmare or anything. It's just a bit fiddly because you have to remove the harness from the top of the motor to access everything. I'm sure there are guys that can do it quicker than that too.

[@ThunderHead289]

very good input here! - we were actually prepping to sell it when the MAF went funky on us. luckily its sold and good. i only like to drive small block stuff, the 300 inline six, and the 2.3 ford. anything outside of that i try to avoid anymore.

[@TheBrokenLife]

Good riddance. I hope he replaced it with something pre-1995. :) Personally, I try to avoid modern motors with wet intakes all together and I won't buy any motor with both a wet AND plastic intake. The only thing I have with a wet manifolds is my old school V8s and if the gaskets fail on something old school it just dumps coolant in the oil, thus at least giving you a warning. 3800 manifolds and gaskets literally explode and just fill the cylinder with coolant with no warning. Sometimes they hydrolock, sometimes they don't.

[@ThunderHead289]

+Maxwelhse I hear you there! Small blocks and In lines are the way to go! The simpler the better as well!

[@TheBrokenLife]

I'll take a big block if you've got one. _Fat bitches need love too, Craig..._

[@atranfanatic]

Yep it is a T20 torx bit, on my '03 Grand Prix GT. I got a 100 some piece security bit set on Ebay months ago. Was a good investment. lol

[@mpbrown18]

It pulls a lot of air (and everything else), I once changed the filter in my 2004 GP and found a $20 bill in the air box.

[@mondocjenson-dy8zd]

L😂L

[@pablomay28]

When using MAF cleaner you are supposed to spray the direction of the air flow. Another improvement would be to clean the throttle body. I had similar issues with my 2005 F-150. Dealer wanted $600 and I did the work for $12 and 30 minutes of my time.

[@ThunderHead289]

you make a very good point (its my ladies brother - hes not the most mechanical and unfortunately he sprayed it out awkwardly on camera) i used to work for a ford dealer. it infuriated me what they would charge folks for some very simple things

[@jacksonwillie3095]

I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT and your video helped me solve my stalling issues with it. As in the video, I unplugged the MAF Sensor and the car cranked up without stalling out, plugged it back in and it would not start. Now that I know it's the MAF Sensor I will clean it to see if that works. If not, then I know it's a bad sensor and buy new one. Note: Along with changing my MAF Sensor I went ahead and changed out my MAP Sensor also because the top part of it had broken. Again thank you so much in taking the time to make this video, it helped me hopefully it will help others.

[@jakeschreiner9398]

If I could like this video 1000 times I would. Thank you for solving my problem.

[@RaakyRoad]

If you have intermittent, transient/persistent stalling issues it may be the cat converter - Meineke cut mine out and replaced it for ~$200 - Stainless steel pipe and mufflers (04SS) still good - The MAF sensor codes have since stopped (2+) years ~15k mi since (total 136k) - went thru 2 sensors over a few years before the 3rd throw of the code after more weird stalling issues - after 6-8 months from replacement #2. The auto guru I know suggested something else is afoot. Hence, Meineke...They said the innards of the cat converter get twisted/turned and causes issues. ATbest.

[@mikie4824]

Mines been unhooked for a year now and i honestly cant tell any more fuel consumption im sure it affects it though but glad i watched this it reminded me to fix mine lol ty great video

[@PantheonEltz]

my 2000 just started doing this today. Advance Auto pulled the code for a MAF fault. Picked up a can of cleaner and will try it this morning. Hopefully I have the same luck. Thanks for the heads up video.

[@Ry77x]

Brian Shores did it work for you?

[@PantheonEltz]

@@Ry77x I ended up buying an $18 MAF sensor off Amazon. Fixed it right away

[@-wasagoodday]

Thank YOU for YOUR video. That was MY problem. MAF sensor. I unplugged it. Car started. I replugged and it died. Replaced and car now runs... again.

[@tbirdracefan]

Filed away in my head to maybe use some day. Good tips!

[@thepyrodude]

I recently ran into the same issue on my gramps Oldsmobile mini van...he had it serviced at wal mart of all places and they didn't put the air filter lid on right and it sucked in a ton of dirt because it gets driven down a super dusty dirt road pretty much every day.....had to clean everything out...i put the duct between the filter box and the throttle body in the dish washer to get all the dirt and dust out from between the corrugated sections because it was to long to wipe out and air wasn't getting it all plus it must of had a k&n filter at one point because there was a film of oil thru out the whole thing...i tried to clean the maf but to no avail had to replace it

[@ThunderHead289]

just hard to find good help these days. - that K&N air filter oil is such an issue. idk who so many people are hell bent on having those. just seem to cause issues with everything and for what gains?!

[@TheBrokenLife]

A clean paper filter will outflow a dirty K&N any day and K&Ns attract dirt like crazy. I bought one, once, and tossed it less than a year later because it was just constantly full of garbage and cleaning and re-oiling it was a massive pain in the ass. The last paper filter I bought was $0.97. When they're not bright white anymore, I replace them. To hell with messing around with cleaning an oiled air filter (unless it's an oil bath filter).

[@ThunderHead289]

yes yes 100 times yes !!!

[@TheBrokenLife]

Weirdly, my K&N also attracted a ton of bugs too... And not just small stuff that the motor could suck up. I'd find grass hoppers and crickets stuck to it all the time. It seemed like stuff that would get in there while the motor was off would get caught in the oil and get stuck there. I've never really seen that happen with a paper filter.

[@atranfanatic]

Funny I bought a K & N for my '82 Datsun 280zx and it was one of the best upgrades I did. I am still using the original air box that is in the front and bought an OEM K & N for it. I just take it out and clean it every few oil changes or so. Just depends on how much I drive it. lol Maybe the certain air filter doesn't work on some cars but works great on my Z car. I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT that I just replaced the MAP and MAF sensors brand new. And the car is still throwing the P0101 code. Maybe I will try and take apart and clean the air system like you mentioned in the video. And also replace the air filter. Otherwise I am really stumped at the moment and doing some research online. And will do some more troubleshooting tomorrow.

[@ColdWarVet607]

That unique GM specific bolt is a standard T24 torx security bit (maybe (T22),. You can get torx security bits at any hardware store, HD, Lowes, Ace tool bin is great place to get set of torx security bits for a few bucks. You can also dremmel out the ball in the middle and use a tweeker screw driver to take them out only 3-4 lbs of torque. I got hex socket bolts from my ACE hardware and replaced them on the MAF, IA and the comp/sensor there has them, nothing special just plain small bolt with dumb unneeded torx security head

[@justindavis2292]

its actually a t20 for mine, 2003 gtp

[@Shaliaj7]

The tool to remove those screws is a T 20 for a GM 3800 v6.

[@baggedmazda666]

I have had a regal with a 3800 do the upper and lower intake and there damn bullet proof

[@atranfanatic]

Yes one of the best and toughest engines GM produced. I have 2 cars with the 3.8 Buick V6.

[@heroknaderi]

Wow this os cool to know.

[@toddisbound2luvu]

Hi, I am having this same trouble and I do not know anything about cars, and cannot afford a mechanic, I took the maf off and cleaned it let it dry and put it back on it worked fine at first, then started doing it again, I seen your video, and I noticed that the person who put the filter in last did not do it right, but, I saw the items that you said that need to be cleaned, but you did not mention how you clean those items? with water or some sort of cleaner, and what kind of tool can I use if I do not have a snap ring plier to take that filter off with?

[@Ereezyy]

Great vid 👍🏽👍🏽

[@JasonJASniper]

Having same issue but when maf is unplugged, it starts to rev on its own after a min or two idiling. Help 😢

[@stilllearning6035]

Tamper proof torx socket is what you need to remove the screws/bolts

[@stilllearning6035]

Tamper proof torx socket T-20 to be precise

[@getchasome6230]

Vice grips

[@rustycrustytriesstuff]

Wish I would have seen this earlier. Had two ladies behind me today, pretty sure this is what was going on.

[@johnreed8011]

have a 1998 grand pix supercharged with the same problem I changed everything on it including a full tune up still start up n die out..

[@garbo3682]

Thanks man saved me $$....

[@marksmithjr00]

Will my 3800 have more power if I replace the Maf sensor?

[@MrJayMoney]

I know this video is a bit old but I’m having a issue with my park avenue 3.8 not starting. It’s cranks and try’s to start but won’t. Could a maf sensor or map sensor cause it to not run at all

[@ThunderHead289]

Did you try what I showed in the video ... ?

[@Humblearrogance_TX]

Fuckin life saver.... needed this bro! Thanks for the vid!

[@johnreed8011]

the best video..

[@joecassar3990]

My 97 Lesabre is sputtering and will only stay running if I stomp on the gas pedal. Clouds of smoke coming out the exhaust as well. Friend said timing chain, but I highly doubt it. Sounds like it could very well be a bad MAF sensor. Going to try this and see what happens.

[@aaronm2183]

Do you still have this issue?

[@gregorymalchuk272]

Could be one of the 3 wasted spark coil packs is bad. 2 cylinders with no spark dumping raw fuel will make clouds of white smoke.

[@danfarris135]

That little guy that looks like a resistor. Because it is😁

[@cantiflas777]

Awesome!!

[@joshuatalley9170]

What’s the screws on the SENSOR?

[@amandazeller787]

THANK YOU! ! ! What did you Spray on MAF????

[@ThunderHead289]

It’s specifically called “maf cleaner” BUT, often these units on the 3400 and 3800 units just go bad and have to be replaced

[@amandazeller787]

@@ThunderHead289 Thank You! ! !

[@coalminefarms222]

Hey I have a 400m ford with screw in bolts on my rocker arms how do I adjust them I am rebuilding the engine is it one trun or a half a turn for full length adjustment

[@ThunderHead289]

i have always went just a half of a turn and have never had an issue - i have several how to videos for ford and chevy alike demonstrating how this is done

[@andrewsrenson1212]

Sounds like the 3800 is an engine to avoid...previously thought they were ok

[@atranfanatic]

No the engine itself is tough internally. Just the components attached to it can have problems. One of the best engines GM produced in my opinion. I have 2 cars with that engine and they are both still in great running shape. 1989 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham and a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT.

[@TheNazart]

Hello, I have a problem with my buick park avenue 3,800, but it does not turn on. It does like to turn on but it shuts off, it has current but it looks like it does not activate the injectors

[@fordmustang98guy]

Hello there I need help I have a 2002 Buick Regal LS I am having a starting issue with my Regal it’s got the same motor like the Grand Prix also the 3800 Series II naturally aspirated motor when the engine is cold & I go & start it for some reason it cranks too long for 5 secs on some days it will start fine but for some reason it cranks way too long for 5 secs sometimes it even did it to me especially in the summer do you have any advice what it could be? My guess is the mass air flow sensor is dirty I could have a bad fuel pressure regulator or the fuel pump could be a little weak

[@ThunderHead289]

That’s exactly what I was going to suggest - to check the fuel pressure. It could be low from the pump being worn, or also the fuel filter could be clogged causing a pressure drop across it itself. The first thing I’d look at is plugs and fuel pressure. Remove that maf connector and see if it starts up fine - that’s another thing to consider as well.

[@fordmustang98guy]

ThunderHead289 well I actually just replaced the spark plugs & my wild guess could be the fuel pressure regulator my Regal only has 89,000km

[@fordmustang98guy]

ThunderHead289 I replaced my MAF Sensor it was fine after but my 2002 Regal is still cranking long I think my fuel pump is getting weak or could it be my crank positioning sensor?

[@46singledad46]

Mine 2004 Pontiac grand prix super charger code po 171. No power loss.ill try cleaning mine out.

[@daveyamudda]

jeffrey martino How did you make out?

[@46singledad46]

It was a vacume leak under the engine cover. A plastic cap was off. It runs like new. Past yr.i replaced everything possible from gm wires plugs.fuel injectors, all 3 coil packs correctly has 210.000 plus miles original 265 HP. At high speeds 65 plus.no hesitation just hit the gas I'm gone. Like I said like new. Minor issues sunroof sticks, a water leak from the outside.pasengerside under the hood it's a cover for a filter. I'll try to get to it next spring. Merry Christmas

[@sherylann5474]

@@46singledad46 I've got an 06 pontiac grand prix. What was the car doing before you found the problem? I'm getting the random misfire, system too lean, and large emissions leak.

[@shoutoutdatboitylerperry4773]

very nixe information

[@mercilessmerkk7621]

Just bought a 2004 and this keeps happening 🤦🏽‍♂️ had to take it back

[@bluesharp59]

Thumbs Up Liked !

[@MrJwtaylor40]

NEVER! install the MAF sensor while it's still wet. Not smart.

[@eddieaow42]

🤣😂🤣😂🚘👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾the end of the tutorial

[@B-S1999]

At 4:41 it looks like ur air tube is ripped

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!... #65 ✝ {5-16-2022}

[@finnetta51]

Huh