2010 Subaru Forester (3rd Gen) - Locate and Clean the Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor!
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- In this tutorial I show you:
1. The location of the mass air flow sensor.
2. How to remove it, inspect it, and clean it.
3. How to put it back when finished.
Tools used:
Phillips head screwdriver
Can of QD Electronics cleaner or MAF cleaner
Rubber gloves
If you are experiencing a misfire and getting the check engine light on, cruise control flashing, and traction control flashing symptom, first try cleaning the mass air flow sensor.
If that does not work, you are most likely experiencing condensation or moisture in either your ignition coil or spark plug wires.
This happened to me, and when I replaced the ignition coil and spark plug wires, the issue was rectified.
If this is you, watch the video I made where I do just this:
• 2010 Subaru Forester (...
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which I use to help grow this channel.
Link to purchase CRC 05110 Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner
amzn.to/3FDRroI
Link to purchase CRC 05103 QD Electronic Cleaner
amzn.to/3MgScrO
Good video! Most parts stores can now can your car to see what trouble codes are active when the check engine light comes on. If your check engine and other lights come on as described in the beginning of the video and the trouble code is P2096, a dirty or failed mass airflow sensor is one of the possible causes. Because cleaning the mass airflow sensor is so inexpensive and easy, it's a great thing to try first.
Thanks for the extra tip about the code!
@@DIYTutorialGuy No problem. It's a lot easier to comment on videos than it is to make and publish them, so I figured I'd at least add something useful. Thanks for the video.
🫡
Hello, thanks for this helpful vid, can I use WD-40 instead of the QD Electronic Cleaner?
No, WD-40 will not evaporate like the QD will and will create more problems for you.
My car smoke blue a lot of smoke and I have the code p0172
Do you have the solution
And thank you so much
I do not have the solution, but a mechanic may he able to help you!
Can someone show me how and why I have a problem with the sensor putting in a new air intake the engine light comes on and car won’t start without the sensor plugged in
Try this link:
www.justanswer.com/vw-volkswagen/er3mh-unplugged-mass-air-flow-sensor-runs-fine.html#:~:text=When%20the%20car%20runs%20with,and%20might%20leave%20you%20stranded.&text=It%20will%20not%20damage%20any,need%20to%20replace%20it%20ASAP.
May I ask you how long it took for those lights to turn off after you cleaned the sensor? Thank you for your video.
Great question.
I believe they went away after driving around for about 15-20 minutes.
Do u have to reset the ecu to clear the code or will it clear itself
It should clear itself afterwards.
I have a 2011 Subaru Forester with the exact issues, cruise control light, traction control light and also terrible gas mileage since it all started. Going to clean it out tonight and let you know the result, if it works my man you are God Tier. Blessings to you and your family from Canada.
I’m glad you found this video, and I hope this helps!
Keep me updated.
Impressed that you replied , let alone within minutes. Says a lot about your character. Going to subscribe to your channel now and follow up with my result. Probably just going to buy a new MAF and air filter. Thanks again and cheers 😊
Thank you!!
I aim to reply to all comments. It’s polite, and lets viewers know I don’t see myself as any different from anyone else.
Thanks for the subscribe!
@@DIYTutorialGuy Muchisimo gracias senor, Spanish for Thank you so much Sir! It absolutely worked like a charm. Bought the CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor cleaner and applied it as you mentioned and I unhooked the negative battery terminal before I did anything so the computer would reset itself. Cleaned the MAF sensor and the plug going into it. Let them dry for 15 minutes then hooked up my negative battery terminal again and cranked her up and a miracle happened! My flashing cruise control light was gone, my check engine light was gone and my traction control light was gone. YESSSS!!! Then I drove it for about 20 minutes because for the last 2 months my fuel economy has gone from 8-10 litres/100 km to 18-20 litres/100km which is absolutely brutal. So nice to have the cruise control back for lower leg comfort and less chance of speeding tickets and also nice to have traction control working in the Canadian winter. I must say that to the naked eye my MAF sensor looked very clean, I even looked at it under magnification and it looked clean, but obviously those MAF sensors are extremely sensitive and the MAF sensor cleaning agent did a great job. Million THANK YOU'S to you Sir! MUCH MUCH APPRECIATED! Cheers from Canada.
Yesssss! I love hearing that this worked.
Thanks for letting me know.
👊
Great video. Saved me $$$ and that's always a good thing!!!
I love hearing news like this!
Thank you so much for this! I have a 2012 Forester and this was so much simpler than I could’ve imagined. Thanks again!
I love hearing comments like this. I’m glad this helped!
Thank you for watching!
This this solve your problem? I'm getting p0171 and I'm hoping it's just a dirty maf
@@jamesdodds3195 I think my error code was like P0144 or something similar so it’s a little different than what you’ve got going on but yes it did help. If I remember right I also disconnected and reconnected the battery and the error code didn’t return
Mechanic wanted $315 for a new sensor and $75 to replace it. I cleaned mine and it worked, hesitation gone. Still got juked out of $200 for the diagnostic. Thanks for the video.
Dang, that’s pricey!!
Glad this video helped!
Awesome!! Just what I was looking for! Thanks 😊
Thanks for watching!
Ever have a code P0456 pop up on your '10 Forester? It is a EVAP code. I replaced the gas cap, purge valve, Evap canister and EGR valve. Still having issues.
I’m sorry, but I have not encountered that issue.
Maybe someone in the comments will be able go help.
@@DIYTutorialGuy I cleaned the MAF sensor today. And all of a sudden I have P0172 codes. You think I need 02 sensors? It's been about 50,000 miles since I changed them.
I have 2011 Subaru forester and i am getting all the lights you mentioned in the video so help me get rid of that!
I’m glad this helped!
boa tarde meu irmão !!! meu subaru forester 2010 aqui no Brasil está com o mesmo problema de acender as luzes do nada !!! muito obrigado pelas dicas... vou tentar isso logo mais...
Fico feliz que este vídeo tenha ajudado! Deixe-me saber como vai o projeto.
Any reason you shouldn't use carb cleaner spray to do this job?
Yes.
QDE spray, or MAF spray, is an aerosol spray that is not an oil based solvent.
Carb cleaner is similar to WD40 in that it is a solvent used to remove gunk and residue.
In my opinion, MAF cleaner and carb cleaner are different products for different jobs.
Is the MAP sensor also near this? I need to replace mine and I can't find anything online showing where it is!! I also have a 2010 Forester!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
It is my understanding that it is located behind the throttle body.
I have no experience working on them though, sorry.
Having a misfire on cylinder 4. Car idles rough (like turbulance), will this solve or should I also clean the throttle body plate
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I would do both.
What cleaning spray did you use? Is that a brake cleaner?
I used a QD electronics cleaner.
They also sell a MAF cleaner you can use.
Thank you brother for your help👍 but my Forester 2012 turn on light of check engine, traction light and cruise light blinking. It had come 2 Time in this year.
I don’t know what happed it. I had a bad experience with a “Subaru dealer” and their “department services”. In last summers my car was stop for 1 week ( COVID 19) then when the wires of the computer was bite for rats o squirrels. I had done a change “harsh computer “ from this moment my car had been many problems (l think some that everything was results of “bad service” performance but the warranty date was expired as well as l used my car as a Uber rider share (now my car has high Millage 175500) . What do you think is my problem?
Sorry for my English writing but l speak Spanish. Thank you so much!🙏God bless you!
Oh man, I’ve been there before.
You may need to replace the ignition coil and spark plugs.
I did a video for that:
ua-cam.com/video/3jH215RfQl4/v-deo.html
Thank you so much for your suggestion. I attempt it!👍
Can I also spray where it plugs into the car?
I assume you can.
However, I have not and cannot accurately say yes or no.
Does these lights go off immediately after cleaning or it needs to be driven for a few miles?
Excellent question, thank you for asking!
In my past experiences I drove it around the block a few times before they turned off.
Thanks for watching!
@@DIYTutorialGuy thanks for responding i appreciate it!👍🏽
Thanks for the video. Im going try that out today.
Thanks for watching!
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Thanks for the vid, i have a 2010 impreza I believe this should work on mine as well, as i got the same lights and issues as in today
Wishing you luck.
You’ve got this!
I actually just came back from the Michanic, changed the engine air filter, cleaned the sensor, filled up 91 gas and added injector kleen. Cleared the codes and hopefully they never come back
Thanks for the video. I've been having trouble with my 2010 Subaru Forester X when starting a cold engine. Would crank but not start, i would have to try a few times before getting it going. I'm gonna clean my maf sensor like you showed, hopefully it helps, I'll update later
I’m looking forward to the update!
Did it worked?
Thank you for this video!
I really hope that is all that's going on with mine with this issue, I'm having other problems also but one thing at a time.
I hope this solves it for you.
Good approach, one thing at a time.
It will keep you from getting overwhelmed, which I know from experience!
@@DIYTutorialGuy exactly! Getting overwhelmed looking for a new car is how I ended up here in the first place.
Thank you for the tutorial. I need to do this on my Forrester.
No problem!
Thanks for the video !! Hopefully this does the trick, if not it’s on to the plugs and wires
Wishing you the best!
While cleaning I noticed the hose clap downstream from the MAF was pretty loose too. Now she purrs again.
Yeah boy!!!!
Would this also help out with rough idle engine? My forester has the check engine light and is pretty rough when it comes to a stop sign.
If your check engine light is on, and only the check engine light, I recommend you take it to a mechanic.
Worst case, go to an AutoZone and have them run a check to see what codes are coming up.
But a check engine light should be addressed!
Thanks again for the prompt reply! My check engine is on solid. The cruise control is flashing and the traction control is solid. I did clean it and will drive the car later as it’s parked right now. I really hope that is the case but I noticed the connectors in the plug was pretty clean.
@GiomettiDuarte ok, the other lights doing what you said may indicate this can be repaired via cleaning the MAF sensor. However, if that does not work, your next best bet would be testing the ignition coil and plug wires. If any condensation is getting in them, this could cause what you are seeing.
@@DIYTutorialGuy thank you! Yep. That is definitely not the problem. Just went for a test drive and it still doing the same thing. I was hoping this would solve the problem but I guess it’s bigger than that.
Omg thank you so much!
Glad this helped!
May I wash this with plain water or WD40?
Good question, to which I will say no.
WD40 will leave residue behind, which you don’t want.
Water can damage the components.
Best bet is to use cleaning products designed specifically for this task.
@@DIYTutorialGuy thank you for replying!
@GiomettiDuarte no problem!
Hope the advice helped and that you that MAF sensor cleaned!
This seems to be exactly my problem; engine seems to be running okay but I have the trouble lights and no cruise control. Should I expect the trouble lights to go away immediately or do I have to drive for a while? The dealer want's $610 to replace this sensor. NAPA will order the sensor for $140 for this very easy fix if cleaning doesn't do the trick.
If I recall correctly, you may have to drive for a few minutes before the lights go out.
Definitely go the DIY route and save some $$, if you have to!
Thanks man 👍
Thanks for watching and commenting!
When I unplug my forester maf sensor the car stays on. Plug back in, shuts car off. Mine is an XT turbo. Can this sensor still be cleaned or is it time to replace it?
Wow, that sounds a bit backwards.
I would replace it if that happened.
you saved my ass , thanks from KSA
You’re welcome, and thanks for watching!
I have 2010 legacy GT
Nice!!