Porsche Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Replacement DIY

Is your Porsche engine running rough, decreasing fuel economy, going in limp mode, and difficult to start due to a bad mass airflow sensor? Learn how to fix the problem by replacing the mass airflow sensor of your Porsche.

Symptoms

• Engine runs rough
• The engine is hard to start or stall
• Check engine light is on
• A decrease in fuel economy
• Porsche goes in limp mode

What you will need

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BOSCH 0280218009 Original Equipment Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor – Compatible With Select Porsche 911

Can provide up to 20 percent better fuel consumption; Unharmed by dirt and contamination; Meets or exceeds OEM specifications

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• Porsche MAF Sensor OEM Brand: Bosch
• Torx Secure Socket
• Ratchet wrench

Procedure

1. Park the Porsche. Turn off the engine and set the parking brakes. We recommended disconnecting the battery.
   
2. Access the engine compartment. Pull the hood release to open the hood. On a Porsche Boxster, put the convertible top in the service position, then remove the engine cover.
3. Locate the mass airflow sensors. On this Porsche Cayenne, two mass airflow sensors are mounted on the air intake hoses. On the Boxster, the sensor is located on the driver’s side right after the air filter housing.
4. Press the connector tab, then pull it away from the sensor. Do not pull on the wires, or you may damage them. If the connector does not come off, ensure you are pressing on the backside of the connector.
5. Remove the T20 Torx screws. To remove these screws, you will need a Secure 5-point Torx bit. Note that the 5-point secure Torx bits are harder to find, and a 6-point secure Torx bit is easy to find but does not work. These screws can also be removed with pliers in emergencies.
6. Remove the mass airflow sensor. If needed, pry out the old sensor with a flat-head screwdriver.
7. Install the new sensor. Pay attention to the arrow that shows the direction of airflow. If you are cleaning your existing Porsche MAF sensor, spray it with a Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner.
8. Tighten the Torx screws. If the screw holes don’t line up correctly, remove the Porsche MAF sensor and rotate it 180 degrees. Porsche MAF sensor fits in only one direction.
9. Connect the electrical connector until you hear the connector click. Check the plug to make sure it doesn’t come out easily.
10. Start the engine and pay attention to engine performance. If your check engine light is on, it may take a few days for the light to reset on its own. Or you can use an OBD-II scanner to clear the codes immediately.

Replacing or clearing the Porsche MAF sensor is a straightforward procedure that takes less than twenty minutes. For this procedure, you must have T20 Secure Torx Bits.

Before you clean or replace a Porsche mass airflow sensor, read the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) with an OBD-II scanner to confirm the problem.

The YOUCANIC Full System Scanner can read and clear fault codes through every control module of a Porsche vehicle.

Cleaning Porsche Mass Air Flow Sensor

Cleaning a Porsche mass airflow sensor has shown mixed results. Porsche (MAF) sensor may get dirty and send incorrect data to the ECU. If the sensor has failed internally or the film is damaged, cleaning it will not fix the problem.

Why do Porsche MAF sensors fail?

Porsche mass airflow sensors fail due to dirt that collects on the thin film that detects airflow and temperature. Oiled air filters are known to coat the MAF film causing it to malfunction.

Bosch vs Porsche OEM MAF Sensor

Bosch makes the OEM mass airflow sensor for the majority of Porsche vehicles. Buying a Bosch MAF sensor online or buying it directly from the Porsche dealer is acceptable as long as they fit your Porsche. The problem Porsche owners have is when a non-OEM sensor is installed. Porsche vehicles may not run optimally with a non-OEM sensor.

Codes

This possible fault-codes list often point to a defective Porsche mass airflow sensor.

• P1124 – Oxygen sensing adaptation range 1 (cyl. 1-3) at enrichment limit.
• P0102 – Oxygen sensing adaptation range 2 (cyl.. 4-6) at enrichment limit.
• P0103 – MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor or VAF (Volume Air Flow) sensor high input
• P0174 – System Too Lean (Bank 2)
• P0113 – High voltage signal from the intake air temperature sensor.
• P2281 – Air Leak Between Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensor and Throttle Body
• P0101 -MAF Circuit Range/Performance
• P1133 -Oxygen sensor, adaptation, lower load bank two above limit.
• P1126 – O2 sensing range 1 cyl 4-6
• P1128, P1130

This list of fault codes could be related to the MAF sensor. It doesn’t mean that a bad or dirty Porsche mass airflow sensor only causes these codes.  Vacuum leaks, bad oxygen sensors, engine misfires, etc may also cause these codes.

We hope you find the Porsche Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Replacement DIY guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Porsche.