I got mine fixed this past week also. I was getting so frustrated and didn't want to waste more money. (I actually thought about just selling the car. lol ) I finally gave in and took to the dealership. They had the car for one whole week for diagnostic. At first they couldn't figure it out either. They checked everything...timing, cat. converter, etc, etc. Everything was good. They finally figured out it was the MAF sensor also. It was odd because there were no check engine lights. I guess it was bad but not bad enough to trigger the CEL. Anyways...they replaced the MAF sensor and now it's like a new car. I'm happy now!

 

I too also thought of just getting rid of it. I was afraid it was so much more. The transmission would be delayed, clunky, or always in the wrong gear for the situation. The best throttle position was somewhere in the middle of my foot travel. Flooring it did nothing but cause a big delay and then a strange downshift a few feet later down the road. It was terrible.

There was some slight dust/residue on the old MAF sensor. . even after MAF cleaner. It appeared to look like something that has been sprayed with WD40 on. .a light oily sheen, and a light coat of dust. Just need to return it to RockAuto for my deposit.

I haven't even my car on the freeway yet. . I increased 1+ mpg in my work commute alone! I can't wait for my 360 mile trip to Chicago to see what I get. I was getting up to 24 mpg with the old MAF. . Now I think 26+mpg is distinctly possible! I'm not a gas price nut (even at $4 its still the cheapest on the planet for non-opec country) but I do like seeing engine improvements and I always like wasting less.

But the power. . .I had really forgotten what the car is capable of, especially when I lose the first 100 feet of every street drag race. . .even minivans could of owned me while I waited for the car to react to the throttle input.

Now I have the Blizzaks on for winter so I don't want to light them up. . .but I certainly can again.

 

I just ordered one after reading this thread! My car has 104k miles and I the same problem, hope it solves it!

 

could the MAF also be the problem on a GS300 99'? because I do need to get my trans flush but i will replace this also if I can get my power back...

please let me know?

 

bump it up!^^^^

 

Should a GS3 replace the MAF? There is no way to tell, and I couldn't guarantee anything, but if you are at the 100k mile + mark and the car is not everything it should be, looking at replacing the MAF can't be a bad investment. No matter what, you will gain more sensitivity and range of inputs due to the fact there is no wear/corrosion/filth on the thing. My new MAF looked very similar to the old one. . .visual inspection just didn't tell the whole story. Be sure to disconnect the battery BEFORE you do it so the computer has a long time to forget the mappings the previous MAF sent it.

Here are my facts and why I was so confused what was making my car a dog. . always used premium fuel/synthetic oil and had all fluids changed aggressively. Combine that with the fact that older engines usually make more power/higher MPG (due to less friction of wearing parts) and I was as confused as I could be.

By the by, I'm writing this from Chicago. Got over 26 mpg on some portions of the trip, but I was almost always over 24 MPG. Before, I would usually peak below 24 with low 22 - 23 more commonplace. The car is doing 2006-2009 GS mileage numbers on a 2001 car.

I'm happy. Can't wait to get to the strip and track to see the results. This last summer, the only car near my times was a Buick Park Avenue! That can't be freakin' right!

 

I have this issue too but the MAF sensor replacement, in my case, was not necessary.

I have used a MAF cleaner to help me and cleaned my air filter.

SOS 2 from KENT

Denis.

 

i got a gs3 , will buy a MAF this week will keep this thread updated.

 

 

The Forum is CORRECT. MAF Sensor is the cause. I had no codes and had cleaned the MAF sensor and intake with little change. I bought the MAF sesor replacement as recommended here and POW car is a rocket again. Good fuel economy too for a 8 cylinder.