Hello evolutionm!
Im new here. I have read through posts and you all have helped me troubleshoot other issues.
I have a 2002 Lancer es. I bought it with the SES on, so i got it on the cheap. It was throwing P0421 catalytic converter, P0171 system lean, and P0335 crank position sensor.

The car ran ok. In park it idled very rough. The engine kept revving down like it wanted to stall. occasionally it did.

I replaced the pre cat. I read somewhere the a low battery could trip the crank sensor on these cars. The battery tested at 9volts, so I replaced it. I also used carb cleaner to clean the maf and iac sensors.

Once i did that the ecu reset. Now the car would not start!! I came in and did some research here, and got some ideas to check. I pulled the MAF and it starts right up! The SES came back on of course! Now im getting P0113 IAT sensor, P0107 MAP circuit, and P0102 MAF sensor.

I Reconnected the MAF and reset the ECU. It starts up, but sputters right out. I wanted to see what codes come up with the MAF connected but it wont run.....

Any ideas??
Thanx in advance

 

Bumpetty-bump! :-)

 

How many miles on it? It's an automatic if I'm reading your first post correctly?

How do the spark plugs look?
How full and what color is the trans fluid if it's and automatic?

Vaccum leaks can cause rough idle as well.

 

The mileage is high, 220k! It is an automatic, the plugs look good. I haven't checked the trans fluid. It is certainly on my list. Even though the hoses are newer, I did take some carb cleaner to the vacuum hoses looking for leaks.

 

I admit i dont know nealy anything specific about autos aside from the fact that they function using an unknown ratio of magic and voodoo...but...i know that they can act up if the fluid is low or the trans filter is clogged. Mights be putting undue strain on the torque converter and thats causing a drag or extra load on the engine.

Or the magic has fallen out and then im out of ideas.

 

How does the MAF look? Did you touch it in any way?

I wouldn't have used carb cleaner on the maf;you're supposed to use MAF cleaner. Hindsight, I know but inspect the maf and report back.

 

Hindsight being 20/20!
I did pull nthe entire sensor assembly. I didnt see any dirt on the sensor itself, but the honeycomb was black. It came clean, back to the silver color it is supposed to be.

 

Soooo, are you saying it began black and the carb cleaner turned it black? Or it was black and the carb cleaner cleaned it to silver?

 

The honeycomb screen was black. The carb cleaner cleaned it to a silver color.

 

the carb cleaner that you used on the maf sensor may have caused it to malfunction, making your situation a lil worse. you might have to replace that in the future as well.

 

carb cleaner probably shorted out the MAF, should of used MAF cleaner or some kine of electronic component cleaner

 

I've got a friend coming today with some diagnosis equipment. He says he can read the ECU in real time. I'll post up the issue when we're done....

 

The maf was the culprit. Replaced it and she's running smoothly now!

 

Very cool, glad it wasn't something more complicated or expensive!

 

good!. It's kinda funny you used carb cleaner on the maf, but hey I'm not perfect. good to hear car is running smooth though.