lee

got the check engine light on my way back from a trip to new hampshrie this weekend. took it into the dealer this morning, they just called me telling me it was the Mass Airflow ...sensor? i think... mass airflow something!

anyway, he says its $437 to change it... is this right???

im very pissed off.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

If that is true...that is way too expensive! We just cleaned off a buddy of mine's MAF this weekend with some electronics cleaner and it was easy to remove the MAF and clean it. Ain't no way it should cost $437 for 15 minutes of labor. It's not but two screws and some finesse. I'd check into what is really going on. I don't think a new MAF is more than $100 anyway.

I'd get a second opinion and wait and see if you can't get some more help here and fix it yourself. $437 is too much to pay IMO. Get a breakdown of what they are doing before you let them start.

MTL_4runner

Lee, first make then tell you what code it showed.
Second, you should take it out yourself and clean it.
Very easy to do on your vehicle.

If you need help, PM me.

lee

OK, im gonna call back and get the code... ill post it here.

lee

the guy actually just called me back.. he's gonna get back to me on the code, but apparently that 437 was not just for the MAF, but for the tire rotation and oil change i asked him to do at the same time as well.

that still seemed high, so i asked him how much the MAF was, he said he's getting it from another dealership, but he assumes it will be around $115.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Oil change $25
Tire Rotation $40 (DIY IMO and save the $$$)
MAF $115 (at most not counting labor)
Total $180

Where the heck are they getting $437 from if what they are telling you and what you are telling us is true? That's a labor charge for the MAF of $257 and it takes all of 15 minutes to do if you are cleaning it, which can't be much more than just replacing it.

I'd definitely get a break down of what they are doing.

lee

yea, you guys are freaking me out -- this dealer is usually pretty damn honest.

im gonna have a good long talk with him at my lunch hr.. tough to deal with it when im supposed to be doing work...

MTL_4runner

I agree with waskilly, something fishy going on there.

lee

the code was P0171.. i did a search here and found this thread..

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ght=p0171+code

in which noone spent this much money.

i really think im getting ripped off. i called again, he said the part is $190, and apologized for getting the number wrong.. hes reducing the labor cost to compensate me (its a dealership policy to live up to estimates, and give discounts when theyre wrong, apparently)...

im still unhappy. the thing is, i really have no garage space to go at this myself. luckily ive been good about the ol' savings account... but really this sucks. im almost trapped into paying this.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Me too!

lee

damn them. i told them to hold off. the guy said 'we started, but can hold off if you really want us to'.

i repeated, hold off. so theyre just changing my oil and rotating tires.

i have another mechanic that has a private shop who i trust completely. i called him, he said theres a chance its bogus, but would need to see the truck first.. so im gonna grab it from the dealer and run it over to him.

if it really was a rip, thanks for the alert.

MTL_4runner

Lee, chances are it doesn't even need to be replaced, only a good cleaning should fix that completely. I would say forget it to the guy at the dealer and take it back. He only told you they already started to try and get the business and make you feel bad for backing out......its a classic sales technique!!!!

Get yourself a can of electrical contact cleaner at walmart and clean it yourself.

dragr1

iTrader: (3)

Cleaning may or may not work. I drove around with that code for about 6 months and it was ok, until about the last couple of weeks before I changed the maf. It got to where at full throttle I had zero power, so I cleaned the maf and it did not help. I eventually changed the maf and the problem is solved. I bought a used maf, tps, and 2 O2 sensors from a junkyard for $100. Actually he wanted $100 and I traded some parts for those parts, I would efinitely clean it first though.

lee

OK, will do. the mechanic i trust that i mentioned said he'd show me what to do if i wanted to do it myself, etc. hes a great guy and never takes money from me unless its a real job. he gives me free wiper blades and changed the oil on my old car for free a few times... he used to get me good used parts a lot to keep costs down.

thanks again.

lee

also, i have to say, i need to get this fixed. as dragr1 said, happened to him, i am experiencing some power loss at full throttle, usually at lower speeds. i was on the highway as i said earlier, and ntoiced the engine was performing weaker before the light came on... so i was a little nervous to say the least.

MTL_4runner

I have seen it where it can no longer be cleaned and does need to be replaced but seeing as this is your first time with a CEL and this code I would give it a try. Best case you only spent $5 on a can of electrical contact cleaner......worst case you buy a MAF (dealer or junkyard) and it only cost you the part. Labor is way easy on that item.

lee

thanks mtl. i actually got in touch with a family friend who says he will help me with this asap... hes sort of a former mechanic, currently runs a custom bike shop.

not spending 430 bucks would be great!

Unhappy99

Clean the MAF Pay particular attention to MAF4.jpg and MAF5.jpg.

This is a well documented problem and solution. MAF CEL codes happen every 25-35K miles. Clean it with spray carb cleaner. It has now become part of my 6 month maintenance schedule. Cost? 10 minutes and $2.49

MTL_4runner

This page shows you exactly how to do it on your engine.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...tenancep5.html

Might want to do the other stuff on the previous 5 pages as well.

lee

thanks, thats very helpful...