96q45 w/ undiagnosable demons

[dubs96q45]

I've been dealing with the same issue for a while now(almost 2 years).

a-couple-interrelated-questions-about-k ... 38689.html

As of today(literally), my q is at Jerry Tucker's All Import Service in San Diego for the 5th or 6th time. I've spent about $2500 replacing the knock sensors, fuel pump and fpcm(?) as well a ground for the MAF sensor(all at J. Tucker's). They(Brian) thought it might be the MAF that I had just replaced, but couldn't say for sure.

As described in my previous post, I made the mistake of getting my MAF replaced at a different shop before I did all the other work.

As stated in the previous post, my q would die at stop signs, lights, etc....then it started randomly losing power(rpms dropping) on the freeway. Eventually it started dieing on the freeway at 70-80 mph.....Completely dead. I'd coast off to the side, stop the car and restart it w/ little problem. Due to the fact that no one seemed to be able to figure out the problem, I just kept driving it. It was completely counter-intuitive to me but I didn't really have any other options.

As of about a month ago, it wouldn't even start any more. It would start no problem with a jump, but it would occasionally die shortly afterward. The battery is only 2 years old and they have checked the alternator twice at Jerry Tucker's. I broke down and am buying a new MAF. I'm desperate. My 96 q only has 140k on it.....Could the MAF really be causing all these problems?

I haven't taken it anywhere other than Jerry Tucker's in the last 2 years.

Thanks for all assistance in advance.

[BigNick]

I had issues similar to you in my 95 Q...and a used MAF was the fix for me. $30

If I I wasnt currently unemployed, new OEM would be the way to go.

[Q451990]

I do think the MAF could cause those problems. Sudden loss of power is pretty much what they do when they fail... please let us know if that works.

Heath

[dubs96q45]

So my Q is back with a vengeance(at least it feels that way).....It appears it was the MAF. 60 miles w/ no codes and more importantly no dieing, lurching, stalling, etc.

I actually woke up before my alarm this morning because I was excited about driving my q to school this morning...if I had only known how far away I'd have to park from campus it might have been a different story.

I didn't realize how depressed my automotive issues had made me....kind of scary retrospectively. I've had a difficult time restraining myself from fishtailing around corners and shifting it at lights all day. I didn't realize how much power I'd lost.

So I've come to the conclusion that the shop I took it to before J. Tuckers not only sold me a used battery as new, but also said they installed a new MAF when they really just cleaned it up on the outside, and possibly the inside...They only charged me about $200, but J. Tuckers spent a day searching for it and couldn't find it for less than $650....and only available at the dealership. I did my own search on the internet and had a difficult time even finding an OEM, much less locally.

Just for s*** and giggles I'm gonna go back to the shop and ask to see their receipt for the MAF...we'll see where it goes from there.

[maxnix]

Later VH45DE MAF do not require separate ground.

Jerry Tucker's shop is the best. Glad to hear the quality of service is still top notch since he retired.