Nissan Pickup, Low Power [Stink Bug in MAF Sensor]

In this video we will be showing you how to verify a MAF sensor problem, using some quick tests that anyone can do.
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For more information on this topic, I have written a “field manual” called Engine Performance Diagnostics which is available at www.scannerdanner.com as an eBook or paper book.
Want even more diagnostic training? Whether you are a DIY trying to fix your own car, someone looking to become an auto technician, or a current auto technician that wants to get more into diagnostics, subscribe to ScannerDanner Premium www.scannerdan... There is a 14 day free trial.
On ScannerDanner Premium I will bring you right into my classroom at Rosedale Technical College. You will find page for page lectures taken right from my book as well as exclusive classroom type case studies. What is so special about these classroom case studies? I pull live problem vehicles directly into my classroom and we troubleshoot them in real time, using and applying the theory and testing procedures we learn during the classroom lectures. There is no better on-line training of how to troubleshoot automotive electrical and electronics systems anywhere!
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ScannerDanner LLC, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. ScannerDanner LLC assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. ScannerDanner LLC recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ScannerDanner LLC, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ScannerDanner LLC.

[@JBAutomotive794]

thanks for leaving a lot of your shenanigans in the video and not editing them out. Nothing is like the camaraderie between two brothers, keep giving each other a hard time! thanks for all you guys do!

[@andrewk778]

I'm a die hard car guy; enjoy all your videos; bought your book. However, there is nothing more important than family. Thanks for sharing.

[@BigDog50001]

Finally, a ScannerDanner video where a Danner gets his hands dirty!

[@edwardjames6070]

this video makes me sad because it makes me think about my two big brothers who have passed on. we enjoyed working on cars like you still do. life is short. great video.

[@ScannerDanner]

I'm so sorry edward james, we'll see them again my friend.

[@JohnIsett]

Loved the humanity in what could have been a sterile trip down a fuel-system diagnostic rabbit hole. A very valuable life lesson in many different respects. Great job, guys.

[@ScannerDanner]

Thank you John!

[@alexanderdavis1160]

Funny I had this happen to me this past Friday. A customer had their Honda Pilot stall on the high way one day after their oil change at the dealership, I pulled the intake hose and sprayed carb cleaner as your brother was able to keep it running. Checked Fuel pressure (hondas almost never had fuel pump issues, but it was easy to test and tested well) then I pulled the MAF and found a spider carcass. I guess it should be a lesson for techs to not shake out the air filter in the housing or near the housing because this happens. Dealer told the customer they needed 3k in labor - valve adjustment, MAF replacement, and a couple other of BS services. What crooks.

[@DylanRabier]

Love you guys. Awesome seeing the 2 of you together.

[@ScannerDanner]

thanks Dylan! love my brother man, we've been though a lot together. He was always my rock growing up. I would not have made it without him.

[@engineerkohat]

بہت اچھی ویڈیو اپلوڈ کی ہے۔ میرا اندازہ نہیں تھا کہ میف سنسر سے بھی اتنی مصیبت پیدا ہو سکتی ہے۔ واقعی اس صورت میں میف سنسر بہت اہم تھا۔

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

It's always nice to watch a Danner Bros video. No air flow sensing = no fuel...nice case study!

[@flatratemaster]

Lots of fun with Danner! I have seen the melted bug on a MAF hot wire several times but not a chunk of wood! FYI I have subed to him for a very long time, tell him to put out more content! love his real world diag work!

[@DaveSender66]

Awesome watching the interaction between you and your brother. Thank you for taking us along on this adventure. This is incredible it's like standing in the shop listening to how technicians fix cars! Paul you and your brother would make a great car talk show on the Internet ! Wow, only experienced technicians would know how to find this problem. These videos are gold for DIYers like myself. Thank you, your brother and Nick, the shop owner for allowing you to shoot this video!! Scanner Danner you rock !!!!!!

[@ScannerDanner]

Thank you so much Dave!

[@robertpilsucki3200]

You guys are a hell of team. Nice to see the " under the gun gotta get the car fixed. Thanks a bunch

[@amadafaka]

James is a lot of fun to watch when he is comfortable.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Nice work Danner bros! The last Nissan I worked on ran perfect...but wouldn't move anywhere haha

[@toyotatechMDT]

Love these videos with the two of you! Monthly Danner podcast next!! Thanks guys, more thanks to Nick!

[@autotechmike]

Love it keep them coming you should definitely do more videos with Danner in them. Makes my day when you bug him at the shop but he secretly likes it.

[@svengonzales2664]

Wow, what a diagnosis. Nick needs to be on camera especially after the "stink bug" diagnosis.

[@wyattoneable]

"Don't back up it makes my head look big" Man, that cracked me up. As Eric said in his last video. "The struggle is real people". It's great to realize that sometimes a visual inspection is still king (on occasion). It was fun watching you two cut up on each other.

[@smilingcopycat]

Best videos are with your brother beside you, you two are the best! Danner brothers for president!!!! Cheers from Sweden!!!!

[@billloomis3907]

great video - not only did i learn something, but had a smile on my face at the same time. Thanks!

[@robertwelch3899]

Just subscribed to Danner's channel. Seems he has sweet taste in music. Hell yeah brother.

[@sirsweetness8332]

Your relationship with your brother gave me warm fuzzies

[@Rookie_DIY]

Great Colab Video guys. Love the stink bug story too lol. Cheers!

[@rickrenshaw8256]

Your brother reminds me of Gimli from Lord of The Rings.

[@Chitownboy1023]

Or the guy from Braveheart

[@mpelegecathrinemaboya7462]

Thank you Mr Danner for the knowledge you shear with us I've conquered so many Cars because of you (John Maboya from RSA)

[@ozzstars_cars]

You guys are brothers. Where is the argument and fight footage? haha You guys work well together, nice to see

[@Autofixpals]

Paul is correct about Nissan not having a good backup strategy for unplugged MAF...from my experience (Nissan technician) Nissan will default to a strategy that was used maybe 20 or 30 minutes ago before you unplugged the MAF so if the car ran good 10 minutes ago or maybe longer not sure the time frame is. it will run good again when you unplug the MAF..... now if the car ran like crap for a few days and you unplug the MAF it will continue to run like crap. unless you clear the check engine light and or reset learned values. then you can get the car to run again in a decent default strategy if you suspect the MAF to be at fault...this is why your pops truck ran good when you unplugged the MAF because it was a sudden onset of bug in the MAF...BTW this is very common on these frontiers if people don't use good air filters and don't put the box back together properly. I hope that makes since. I learned this lesson the hard way. damn Nissan's.

[@ScannerDanner]

totally does and is something I will add to my "toolbox". clear the memory for the "unplug it test". Great tip man

[@Gagik5779]

Hello have you a video about a camshaft signal from ignition module ?

[@dominicwaterman8426]

ScannerDanner I got a diagnosis from lexus for my 07 Gs 350 of a bad pcm ecm. bc they got no comm. I sent it to Sia electronics. got it back saying no problem found. looking online. I found something saying fuel pressure sensor goes bad it cuts comm with your scanner and start instantly kill. can't find this part anywhere. its supposed to be by the throttle body. can you give any 5 volt advice etc schematic

[@Autofixpals]

Dominic Waterman unplug the fuel pressure sensor and see if you get comm back...if you do then you just verified that a new sensor will fix the problem. is it fuel rail pressure sensor or fuel tank pressure sensor. I don't think Toyota uses fuel rail pressure sensors.

[@dominicwaterman8426]

Auto Fix Pal ...thanks so much for your time and your reply. your channel is my Go To. keep up the good teaching work. I'll pull the plug and see if she runs and get back at u with results. ...or gets comms back anyway. k thx

[@clarencewilliams3813]

Brotherly love family friendly 👍😃 and good clean conversation and funny!great Vid guys

[@Travelingman-1980]

The brother duo, going old school on newer tech, great stuff. Danner seems very unassuming and bounces of your character Paul, and is quietly funny.

[@MrXyzasdf]

Danner is on the right path when he mentioned; someone changing the air filter. Someone could have changed the air filter and then blew-out the the bottom of the air box with an air gun and the debris from the bottom of the airbox could have migrated to the MAF.

[@throttlebottle5906]

I do that when changing them, but I hold the old filter in the top or cover the hose/hole with rag first. maybe it was a cardboard from the filter packaging or careless cleaning with new filter laying on top engine. lol

[@Mr92cadi]

makes me miss my brothers. Great video

[@ScannerDanner]

sorry christopher, thanks man

[@humidbeing]

"Stink bug waveform" LOL!

[@billrimmer5596]

I have subscribed to Danner's channel since he started. Always great stuff. And Nick is in a lot of them. It is a fun shop and James always fixes the car. Even ones floppy gloves can't. I think it was a GMC van. Right?

[@apachelives]

My Nissan Pulsar/Almera N16 with GQ18DE engine did the same thing with the same unplugged maf sensor limp mode - it limited the engine to ~2500rpm - that was how i diagnosed it.

[@bobl78]

that was a cool one..... makes me think again what a bad shop would have done, replace MAF; ECU, Crankshaft and fuel tank

[@trainer2018]

Nice job. If I were there Paul I would be running over with my Pico to snap throttle it before and after the foreign material to see what it looked like,lol.

[@ScannerDanner]

haha me too man but not this time

[@exmotorsports]

Nothing like good ol brotherly love.. Fun watching you two act and react with each other. Thanks Nick for saving the day. HAHAHA All tho it would have been fun watching Scanner drop a tank in his fluffy blue gloves Love the shirt Paul..that's awesome.!! Cheers guys

[@mattpeters6006]

it should be scanner danner and spanner danner lol

[@Kamel419]

lol, i see what you did there

[@johnbalderas1989]

Nice

[@turtlezed]

Dude you've totally nailed it.......Scanner and Spanner Danner.......brilliant

[@Mickey_Bauer]

Hahaha yep

[@baxrok2.]

Nice work guys. A memorable fix indeed. That's a pretty inefficient air filter! lol Thanks!

[@seibert81]

You guys should do more cases together, it makes for great videos! LOL

[@truemechanicsinc2406]

👍You guys are amazing you guys do an awesome job in teaching of things that we missed or new things that we did not know I do appreciate both of you I do watch your channel and your brothers channel keep up the good work👍

[@sinegra30]

Your brother is a nice guy and has a very big and clean repair shop, I though you were the older brother tho!

[@theadventuresofjavier8698]

love your vids Paul. your brother ads a nice touch. the dynamic duo.

[@toroon]

James love your channel. ZZ Top's got nuthin on you bro!

[@wysetech2000]

Very informative and enjoyable video guys.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Enjoyed this one - you guys are a riot! Love the shirt, Paul - that was the best movie ever. The Family Truckster makes me laugh every time I see it, with it's eight headlight front end and 4 tail lights out back. :D Never know what you'll find in modern cars! Stink bug, LOL!! That's great! And a leaf or wood chip! I'd have definitely thrown a fuel pressure gauge on there first and wasted time. Great learning experience for all - thanks for that one!!

[@j.j.springer1099]

You guys have my condolences! Who deserves it more you guys decide

[@colejensen5812]

A note on Nissan fuel trims. They call the fuel trim PID's ALPHAS. 100% will essentially equal zero. Anything greater than 100% is adding fuel and anything less is removing fuel. So the ECU is searching for 100%.

[@stationaryenginesworldwide]

Great video Paul and Danner Danners

[@somerandomguy3868]

you guys are alright how often is it forien material in or on the maf element can't be that ferquent in a perfect world it would never happen great video thanks for showing us this BTW James has a new follower

[@mujahidmughal3631]

scanner I really liked how you wanted to mention about spraying the cleaner or throttle spray in the intake. I have come across it twice that the maf actually litterly blew up due to the heating filment in the maf. Lol danner was actually just worried about fixing the issue. One of the techs face was so lucky when this happened. Another tip guys don't look down the intake while spraying if you do it.

[@rubencruz2486]

i had a similar thing happen on a ford with a tiny piece of a leaf, except i didn't break my wire removing it. i like the "quick and dirty" so to speak in the diagnosis.

[@xai1603]

need more vids like this one. SORRY JOE!

[@paulfiebke3909]

You both should work to gether, keep up the good work

[@tiztiz5839]

You guys are making history ... I know that

[@exmotorsports]

Hey James...Ooops I mean Danner, let me guess, another water pump job in that silver Broken Motor Works. haha Always fun to watch you guys.

[@jamesdanner7850]

exmotorsports yes . that's the last aftermarket bmw pump I will install. the first one didn't communicate immediately after install. this one worked good for 3 months and shorted internally blowing the 30 amp fuse . put this last one in under warranty . if it fries within the 1 year warranty period. the customer is gonna pay the difference for a beemer part since it was his call to do an aftermarket anyway. ugh

[@exmotorsports]

Oh Man..Bummer to hear. Didn't think it was the same car. Sorry to hear that. Well, not to throw salt in the wound but the one I changed out is still going strong. "KNOCK ON WOOD" Certainly don't want to jinx myself here. But just for your info in the event you get that booger back. Good luck with this one. Hope it works out. Cheers

[@dade567]

I just subscribed to his channel as well. Good stuff y'all

[@mattw1393]

Cmon Paul. Let the real mechanic get dirty once in a while. 😉

[@eddiemartinez265]

He is jimmy!Matt W

[@feeneysmechanical6215]

ZZ top was just up here in buffalo for a concert. lmfao

[@sirsweetness8332]

GREG Feeney Yep put a double necker on his shoulder and he could belt out "got me under pressure" ZZ Danner

[@feeneysmechanical6215]

Sir Sweetness lol

[@mike-yp1uk]

Brake clean instead of starting fluid. I once used brake clean on an engine that was freshly rebuilt it was oil primed and lubed with assy lube but someone left the crank sensor loose. It was trying to start but after a few attempts to light it with brake cleaner , we took the engine apart and had to throw the pistons away because the brake clean robbed all lubrication and welded the rings into the pistons and I could not remove one. True story. Brake cleaner has no lube and starter fluid does.

[@ScannerDanner]

That's a good tip, but the reason I dont like starting fluid as a diagnostic aid, is it is so volatile that even compression can ignite it giving you a false direction

[@mikeanderson1994]

My man ur amazing keep up the good work bro

[@jgarr9216]

set the fuzz thing down on the table and your camera will focus. It won't focus because your hand is moving

[@FordTechMakuloco]

The ole Scanner Danner surcharge lol!

[@trublue2319]

I watch you're videos too

[@lyricmaximilian5995]

i dont mean to be offtopic but does anybody know a method to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot my account password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me!

[@zanereyansh4624]

@Lyric Maximilian Instablaster ;)

[@lyricmaximilian5995]

@Zane Reyansh i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and im in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@lyricmaximilian5995]

@Zane Reyansh it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thanks so much you saved my ass!

[@Nick2517]

More videos with the both of you please

[@ScannerDanner]

thanks Nick! will do

[@ferlan9546]

LOL @ 12:08 it came out sounding as if it was a common ordeal. Great video tho scannerdanner!

[@xoxo2008oxox]

That was fun! Question: so this confirms my theory (not just stinkbugs) that products like Pre-oiled K&N filters (aka aftermarket) can cause issues to MAF? This makes me look back at the idle and operation issues of a Toyota I owned that had the oiled K&N "Performance" air filter. I suspected the MAF became coated. When I replaced the MAF and went with OEM filter, it ran like day one. Folks: don't buy something the manufacturer doesn't recommend.

[@reyluque7430]

Hii have an 88 hardbody changed the oil put a k and n oil filter on the first crank I got a ruff idle and it dies. Does this everytime I start the truck cold or hot. It's only been a week.

[@whitetiger8652]

Great video guys!

[@mike-yp1uk]

that could have been a great chance to use your volmetric efficiency test with that new calculator.

[@webslinger724]

I love the brother videos there amazing

[@ScannerDanner]

thanks cager!

[@theshop5407]

awesome video keep up the great work

[@1keykneedeep]

That was cool with you and your bro. Should do it more

[@petar443]

What if i hook a multi-meter to MAF sensor signal wire.I'm curios what will be the readings while the bug is on the hot wire?

[@MaicSalazarDiagnostics]

This would've be a great case for your new volumetric efficiency software.

[@benjaminrich9396]

I love "no codes" in Danner's accent. haha

[@R.E.HILL_]

Nice one. Thx for sharing.

[@mohamedrahib7685]

great job God bless you

[@johnmckamy6398]

James would definitely be fun to work with

[@jdtractorman7445]

I had an experience with a stink bug the other day in my car when one got caught I the blower motor squirrel cage, dang that thing was gross. Like your shirt by the way, beautiful Clark.

[@jamesdanner7850]

jdtractor man I had a mouse in a blower cage once. it vibrated the whole dash like broken engine mounts on an old honda

[@billyr9840]

I'll bet Nick is smiling ear to ear ! LOL !

[@ScannerDanner]

hope so

[@turtlezed]

looks like a wood chip? does he have a chainsaw? and carts wood around regularly?

[@chickennoodle21]

Had a similar situation with a vehicle. Was replacing the upper intake manifold on a 2007 Crown Vic for a crack and coolant leak. Vehicle ran fine before the job, then would not start(would start and stumble then stall) after reassembly. Left induction components off over night(last job of the day)and a spider built a nest right inside the MAF. Took about an hour to figure out. But considering everything that was removed during the repair I of course thought it was something I had forgotten to plug in/ assemble correctly. Stranger things have happened I'm sure.

[@throttlebottle5906]

now that is funny and proves yet again the stupidity of today's technology, when a tiny spider nest, bug, dirt, wood, leaf flake stops a whole machine...

[@coolbreeze1774]

Good Stuff... you guys should do more vid's together.

[@calimesacox]

lol Brotherly love at its best.

[@travisphelps3351]

My supercharged Xterra how lost half it's power but will still get you were you wanna go and idles fine ,why don't it have any power though ?thanks

[@JBTaylor86]

Paul (Dan) that T-shirt gets 👍🏻👍🏻

[@user-uj1xg7hb2u]

Question Paul, Why Some cars shut off immediately after unplugging the MAF sensor Connector?

[@ScannerDanner]

Some systems don't have good backup strategies

[@lawrencetickle2706]

Now I want to see what a stink bug wave form looks like. That made me laugh out loud.

[@jamesleejr1626]

I have one thinking spark plus. No check engine light. Its a 4.6 engine ford expedition

[@HarriGary1]

I just had a Pathfinder yesterday that did this exact same thing but with a Japanese beetle. The air filter had been mangled and wasn't sealing in the box. I actually found it taking the air box out to check the fuel pressure. I was certain it was a fueling issue because of the way it sounded and died immediatly with any throttle input.

[@myshortsstink]

Having similar issues with a 2000 Nissan Frontier it starts and runs for bit and when I give it gas it starts to shake every now and then and eventually starts to lose power and then turns off. No check engine light is on and had a guy scan it and didn't find anything with his scanner.

[@MrFishface5]

LOL you guys are great

[@allensandven0]

Why does this feel like the beginning of another click & clack or some newly sindicated unscripted two brothers undercover mechanics trouble shooting for the hard working folks on KZbin . Fighting the crime big dealerships bestowed upon the poor working class ! That’s it 100 k new subs ! Definitely two brothers lol 😂

[@maxwelanyanwu112]

Did the unplugged test work because the Nissan has a MAP sensor too?

[@ScannerDanner]

The unplug it test will work on some models even without a MAP sensor. It really is on the programming side of things as to whether it works or not.

[@johnnyz9927]

Thanx guys..I wonder if you could ? When you come across a Kia Spectra with similar symptoms , plus random misfires..No videos on this Kia misfire situation that seems very problematic across the map.If anyone is going to pinpoint and solve this , the danner bro's can..Thanx guys.

[@filibertobarrera3839]

How true is it that when it back fires it throws timing off.I've heard backfires breaking starters when trying to crank and back fires.But never heard of timing being thrown off.

[@ScannerDanner]

I suppose if the timing belt or chain was ready to break anyway? But in general, no, that is not going to do that.

[@ovwok]

A fellow mechanic friend of mine Bill Rimmer had similar symptoms on a car, turned out to be a spiderweb in front of the MAF sensor Hotwire. You never know what you're gonna find in there sometimes 🤓

[@ScannerDanner]

Thanks Mark

[@Rookie_DIY]

No links Paul

[@ScannerDanner]

just fixed it, thank you so much! I totally forgot to add them

[@jonroberts6518]

Have an issue with my 1990 nissan SE-v6 pathfinder. Driving to the store couple days ago soon I pull in it just shuts down, it turns over sounds like it wants to start, not on its own and idle on its own. The only way is by giving alittle gas paddle then fires up and idles when giving a little gas , soon you let off gas it dies. While idles with a little gas peddle it spits and stutters and pops and backfires through the catalytic converter. I unbolted the catalytic converter still sounds like it wants to fire up on its own but it won't not unless you give it a little gas and it still spits sputters pops and backfires. A brother of mine his buddy says it's probably jumped time

[@lifes2short4b41]

i have the same problem on my 1995 nissan d21 ....i bought a new massairflow and now if i connect it, it does that and if i disconnected is good and light goes off and until i start driving it wants to turn off..

[@ChrisMoore-bl6mj]

Just fixed one today for this same concern.