How To Clean Car Sensor Connectors

vn2000 [OP]: Member; Dec 20, 2006; 429 posts; 28 upvotes; York

Jun 19th, 2018 7:54 am

Help to remove MAF sensor electrical connector

I have a 2012 Corolla and tried to remove the electrical connector from the mass air flow sensor (pic. below) for cleaning. It was so difficult to disconnect and I couldn't remove it as I didn't want to force and break something. There is a small tab that I suppose to push down to release the lock and just wiggling it out. But NO LOVE, it's not moving any bit! Is there any tool that can help me to do this? I appreciate any help/ advice I can get.

Thanks.

Jun 19th, 2018 11:00 am

tebore: Deal Guru; Feb 9, 2006; 12470 posts; 7056 upvotes; Brampton

Jun 19th, 2018 11:00 am

Is there a specific reason you want to clean this? If you've been using the stock air filter and changing it regularly MAF sensors rarely need cleaning.

Jun 19th, 2018 12:17 pm

amkorp: Deal Addict; Sep 29, 2008; 1310 posts; 1320 upvotes; Toronto - Markham/Sc…

Jun 19th, 2018 12:17 pm

tebore wrote: ↑ Is there a specific reason you want to clean this? If you've been using the stock air filter and changing it regularly MAF sensors rarely need cleaning.

Good job answering the question!

OP, based on the sensor pic you posted, the tab for the connector is at the top (you can see the small notch) at the top of the connector on the sensor side.

Usually you need to press down on the tab of the plug while pulling away from the connector. Depending on the grime and dirt on there, you may have to press harder than normal to get it to disengage the notch.

Jun 19th, 2018 12:32 pm

LeisureSuitL: Deal Addict; Jul 30, 2010; 3122 posts; 367 upvotes

Jun 19th, 2018 12:32 pm

You can also stick a small screwdriver on the other side of the tab and pry it up while pulling the connector out.

Jun 19th, 2018 12:47 pm

tebore: Deal Guru; Feb 9, 2006; 12470 posts; 7056 upvotes; Brampton

Jun 19th, 2018 12:47 pm

amkorp wrote: ↑ Good job answering the question!

OP, based on the sensor pic you posted, the tab for the connector is at the top (you can see the small notch) at the top of the connector on the sensor side.

Usually you need to press down on the tab of the plug while pulling away from the connector. Depending on the grime and dirt on there, you may have to press harder than normal to get it to disengage the notch.

Good job being a clown.

If the OP has this kind of trouble taking off the sensor clip there's a good chance he'll damage the sensor cleaning it. MAFs aren't cheap.

Either way if he wants to remove it there's a tab that needs to be disengaged before he can press on the tab to disengage the clip.

Jun 19th, 2018 12:53 pm

derass: Deal Addict; Sep 8, 2017; 4468 posts; 4659 upvotes; GTA

Jun 19th, 2018 12:53 pm

I wouldn't be messing with the MAF sensor either. Trying to clean them usually does more harm than good.

OP is struggling to even take the connector off...

Jun 19th, 2018 1:03 pm

er34er34: Deal Addict; May 4, 2014; 4972 posts; 6379 upvotes; Toronto, ON

Jun 19th, 2018 1:03 pm

Are you cleaning it just because Scotty said so or because you think it's going to make your Corolla faster? Because in both cases, you'd better just leave it alone.

You'll get a code if there's something wrong with MAF sensor and that just doesn't happen on a 2012 car.

Jun 19th, 2018 1:11 pm

amkorp: Deal Addict; Sep 29, 2008; 1310 posts; 1320 upvotes; Toronto - Markham/Sc…

Jun 19th, 2018 1:11 pm

derass wrote: ↑ I wouldn't be messing with the MAF sensor either. Trying to clean them usually does more harm than good.

OP is struggling to even take the connector off...

I've never hear of anyone having more issues after cleaning their maf sensor. Do you have any instances of this happening?

Jun 19th, 2018 1:51 pm

vn2000 [OP]: Member; Dec 20, 2006; 429 posts; 28 upvotes; York

Jun 19th, 2018 1:51 pm

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I really appreciate it. The reason I want to clean the MAF sensor is that my car is having some vibration/ hesitation when I stop. I've just replaced the battery and air filter. So I guess the next thing to do is cleaning the MAF sensor before going in to the throttle plate/ Seafoaming etc... Is there something else that I should do?

Thanks.

Jun 19th, 2018 1:55 pm

vkizzle: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2011; 36301 posts; 22425 upvotes; Center of Universe

Jun 19th, 2018 1:55 pm

vn2000 wrote: ↑ Thank you everyone for your feedback. I really appreciate it. The reason I want to clean the MAF sensor is that my car is having some vibration/ hesitation when I stop. I've just replaced the battery and air filter. So I guess the next thing to do is cleaning the MAF sensor before going in to the throttle plate/ Seafoaming etc... Is there something else that I should do?

Thanks.

IAC valve?

Jun 19th, 2018 2:16 pm

6mthatch: Deal Addict; Aug 10, 2013; 2760 posts; 1988 upvotes

Jun 19th, 2018 2:16 pm

vn2000 wrote: ↑Thank you everyone for your feedback. I really appreciate it. The reason I want to clean the MAF sensor is that my car is having some vibration/ hesitation when I stop. I've just replaced the battery and air filter. So I guess the next thing to do is cleaning the MAF sensor before going in to the throttle plate/ Seafoaming etc... Is there something else that I should do?

Thanks.

Could be anything....motor mount, spark plugs, throttle body dirty, wires, tranny mount. Could be a vacuum leak, cam position sensor, you name it.

When was the last time you did a tune up on it. I wouldn't recommend seafoam but I would recommend gumout regane with PEA additive.

Smash that like button!

Jun 19th, 2018 2:23 pm

reg boulette: Member; Feb 9, 2009; 228 posts; 33 upvotes

Jun 19th, 2018 2:23 pm

Go to www.toyotanation.com, become a member and get model specific advice. Given experience with a 2008, my guess is the intake manifold gasket - they have been bad on this vehicle since 2003. Check for a Technical service bulletin on this.

Cleaning the MAF is possible if you are very careful - use a Q-tip dipped in electric contact cleaner and lightly wipe off the glass like bulb in side. Let it air dry.

Jun 19th, 2018 2:27 pm

6mthatch: Deal Addict; Aug 10, 2013; 2760 posts; 1988 upvotes

Jun 19th, 2018 2:27 pm

reg boulette wrote: ↑Go to www.toyotanation.com, become a member and get model specific advice. Given experience with a 2008, my guess is the intake manifold gasket - they have been bad on this vehicle since 2003. Check for a Technical service bulletin on this.

Cleaning the MAF is possible if you are very careful - use a Q-tip dipped in electric contact cleaner and lightly wipe off the glass like bulb in side. Let it air dry.

Have never done a corolla but usually mafs are an electrical wire. You do not touch with a q tip nor do you use electrical contact cleaner.
Use something like CRC

Hold on to the steering wheel! That 4-10hp gain and you'll be chirping 3rd!

Smash that like button!

Jun 20th, 2018 10:49 am

amkorp: Deal Addict; Sep 29, 2008; 1310 posts; 1320 upvotes; Toronto - Markham/Sc…

Jun 20th, 2018 10:49 am

tebore wrote: ↑ Good job being a clown.

If the OP has this kind of trouble taking off the sensor clip there's a good chance he'll damage the sensor cleaning it. MAFs aren't cheap.

Either way if he wants to remove it there's a tab that needs to be disengaged before he can press on the tab to disengage the clip.

There we go! I knew you'd figure it out sooner or later