Check engine light on

[kstu]

Hey everyone. I have a 2003 Saturn L300 3.0L V6.

The check engine light came on recently and I'll be going to an auto parts store today to have them pull the code for me. Just wanted to see if you guys could offer me any insight.

I think the light is on from this incident:

Traffic opens up a bit and I get on the throttle fairly hard to go from maybe 55 to 70 or so. Maybe half way through the acceleration, it felt like the engine just cut off for a split second and then was back to running again. Since then, I haven't noticed anything else, the engine seems to be running fine and nothing really seems to be out of the ordinary (except the check engine light).

Any ideas on what might have happened? Could it be serious? Any insight would be appreciated. I'll update this thread with the code and diagnostics once I get that done. Thanks everyone.

 

[lurk3r]

A miss would get picked up by the ECU, which would put the check engine light on. Get the code and you'll get lots of input here.

 

[StageLeft]

Further to lurk3r, if you're bored and no other problems, I bet if you let this sit for a few days and restarts the light will go away--presume it doesn't repeat itself in some manner.

 

[kstu]

Got the code: P0102 - MAF or VAF A Circuit Low Input. Found this.

Is there anything you guys can add to that?

Edit: I forgot to add that I erased the code, but it came back during the trip back here.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Mass Air Flow sensor is either dirty or needs to be replaced. My money is on dirty. Remove the MAF and and use some MAF cleaner spray to clean it off and see if that corrects the issue.

http://www.louv.tv/cars/m5/MAF/

That example is on a BMW M5, but it should give you enough general information on how to do it if you want to attempt this yourself. The only moderately critical piece is making sure that you re-install the MAF in the right direction and that's not difficult.

ZV

 

[kstu]

Couldn't get your link to load Zenmervolt, but I found this: http://videos.streetfire.net/v...ean-your-MAF_80603.htm

I'll give this a shot tonight and see what happens. Will probably take the opportunity to change the filter at the same time. Hopefully that'll take care of it.

Thanks Zenmervolt and everyone.

 

[bruceb]

One thing to watch out for, is on some MAF units, there is a sensor wire across the air flow path. You must be very careful not to harm the wire or you will end up buying a new unit.