06 M35x immediately stalls when trying to start [SOLVED - MAF sensor]

[zx2max]

Hey guys. My 06 M35X started idling rough 2 days ago but seemed to drive ok under a load. yesterday i tried to start it and the rpms rev up high as normal when first starting a car then drop down and the car stalls within about 3 seconds. Trying to give it gas during this time does absolutely nothing. The CEL was not on when car actually stayed running. Last night i checked for codes and got p0171 which could be caused by a bunch of things so I'm hoping not to just dump money into it until I find the right one. I wiped code. I pulled the air box out up to the TB. I did look like at some point a mouse got to my air filter because it was a little torn up in a corner. hopefully i didn't suck a mouse into my engine. lol. I noticed a few small tears in the flex pipes from airbox to TB but I doubt that would cause the car to be this bad. I checked connections and visually looked for any vacuum leaks. Next thought was maybe checking fuel pressure but not too sure where the fuel line is to tap into. Any other thoughts, suggestions, steps I should try? If checking fuel pressure sounds like a good idea could someone point me in the direction of the correct fuel line to use? I'm not super mechanically inclined but know the basics and can figure stuff out with a little help of the internet, FSM and this forum.

[Ilya]

One easy thing I'd do is try to clean the crank/camshaft sensors and possibly the MAF. The sensors can be cleaned with throttle body cleaner or just a rag...and there is special MAF cleaners for the MAF (be gentle). The cam/crank sensors usually have a thin film of metal shavings/oil which could be affecting them.

[zx2max]

Thanks Ilya. I'll give it a shot. I'm about to walk to the auto parts store so I'll grab some MAF cleaner while I'm there. It's 90 degree here and it's a 2 mile walk so if I survive that then we'll see how it goes. I knew I should have sold by 2nd vehicle. :-)

[Ilya]

Seriously though...be careful with the MAF. Spray from a distance. Nissan/Infiniti MAF's are VERY VERY VERY SENSITIVE.

[EdBwoy]

Trying to give it gas during this time does absolutely nothing

Have you tried giving it gas just as you start the vehicle, in that it cranks while you jab the pedal, not waiting till it's about to die? Just curious as to whether this improves it at all

I did look like at some point a mouse got to my air filter because it was a little torn up in a corner. hopefully i didn't suck a mouse into my engine

The code does touch on the MAF as Ilya pointed out. Remove the unit from the intake tube and look inside to see if you find any mouse fur caught up and cooked of the MAF sensor.
PS: This won't be a problem on a non-running car, but remember to only mess with the sensor & cleaner after it has cooled down.

I noticed a few small tears in the flex pipes from airbox to TB but I doubt that would cause the car to be this bad. I checked connections and visually looked for any vacuum leaks

Actually air leaks also fall under that code. If these cracks go through the plastic such that the MAF is sensing X units but you are losing them in the cracks after it's already been metered, the car could act wonky.

I'm not saying this is impossible, but Ms don't have too many fuel pressure issues. The relevant tube feeding the engine is on the inner side of the passenger side front strut tower. You have to remove the plastic covers, but it will be the only rigid tube rising into the engine bay at that point and feeding the fuel hose across the engine.(If I find a picture, I'll post the area)

If you're up for a little more troubleshooting, swap the bank 1 sensor 1 and bank 2 sensor 1 from the pass side and driver side to see if the code jumps banks and becomes P0174. No idea what your mileage is, but sensors do go bad.
Or is this the sensor that is hard to reach in the V6?

[zx2max]

Thanks EdBwoy. If I hold down the gas pedal while attempting to start car it does rev up but as soon as I let go of gas the car dies.

I pulled out the MAF and it looked clean and there was no sign of mouse fur or and dirt. I opted not to spray any cleaner on it since you and Ilya mentioned how sensitive they can be.

I did pull out the Cam and Crank sensors to clean them off. Also, I couldn't find the intake piping at my local autoparts store so I wrapped up the tube with electric tape for now so I can cover any air leaks.

I've reset the computer a couple times while checking various connections and sensors. Currently the only code I am getting is P0113 (plus pending code for same). Is it possible that my MAF is bad? I might try to test it with a multi-meter tonight.

[Ilya]

Definitely possible. I skimmed your thread but didn't see how many miles on your car...if it's up there it certainly could be bad. Or it could be an air leak in a million other places...but yeah, it sounds like that might be your problem.

[zx2max]

I was getting a little nervous because after a few attempts at starting the car I started getting P0300 in addition to the P0113. But thankfully, I replaced my MAF and the car now starts and runs great. Iyla and EdBwoy, thank you very much for your help!

[EdBwoy]

You're welcome and congrats!

Where did you get sensor from and for how much? If you've got a part number, that'll help others in the future too.