I just learned something from tow truck driver.

[Roadrunner]

For a few days, the ’00 had been randomly dying without warning – just like you turned the key off. It would start right back up with no problem. Finally yesterday it died on the road and I couldn’t get it going. Sometimes it would start but then it would sputter & die after a few seconds. The SES light never came on.

Called AAA & had the car towed. The driver said he knew exactly what the problem is – he has seen it many times on these engines. He said it was the MAF sensor. He un-plugged it and the car started and continued to run (SES light on though). He then plugged it in and car died after about 15 seconds. This could be repeated

I was skeptical and thought “All he is doing with that trick is forcing it into open loop. The problem still could be something else and if the MAF was bad enough to not let the car run, it should be throwing a code.”

After tinkering with it a little, I started to think he might be right. I bought a MAF sensor and that fixed the problem.

Has anyone else seen this and is it really that common a problem?

[harofreak00]

Common problem, especially in the last few weeks.

Where did you get your new MAF?

[agrazela]

Something like that happened on my 97 Altima. Some kind of intermittent broken connection inside the sensor, and if I "torqued" the MAF connector just so, it was OK. So I wrapped it up with baling wire and it was fine

[DarkShadow]

also in this situation check the wires to the ICM, the same problem happened to me the night i got mine running with this motor.

driving then all of a sudden off. no cough no sputter no restart. the tow truck driver wiggled the icm wires and it started right back up, wiggled them while running and it turned right back off.

[willwren]

The most common cause of these symptoms are loose or corroded battery cables. The MAF sensor can do it though.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Looks like it was the MAF in this case.

On my old car I forgot to tighten down the battery cables enough. They looked like they were tight, but were loose enough to not make a connection. My friend's dad came out and diagnosed it in 2 seconds.

[Roadrunner]

Common problem, especially in the last few weeks.

Where did you get your new MAF?

I picked up an ACDelco remanufactured one from KOI (part of Federated Auto Parts chain) for like $20 more than Rock Auto. Used ones are hard to come by around here.
Which brand do people have trouble with?

[harofreak00]

The problem ones seem to come from Advance, Autozone, etc...

Good to hear yours is working

[laxmangl]

The problem ones seem to come from Advance, Autozone, etc...

Good to hear yours is working

Hmmm... I got one from advance about 15,000 miles ago, and it has been working great.

[white06lacrossecxs]

The problem ones seem to come from Advance, Autozone, etc...

Good to hear yours is working

When I had my ford I bought one from autozone. It went south after 6 months.

[SCD88GA]

I worked at Advance for 3 years and never had one come back...

[Roadrunner]

I would think if there is a problem, it would more likely be with the manufacturer rather than the retailer.
At the place I bought mine I had a choice of manufacturers.
PartsAmerica.com (Advance site) gives a choice of 5 different manufacturers for my car.

[Sirius]

...The driver said he knew exactly what the problem is...

Ahhh, wrecker drivers. They're the salt of the Earth. Right beside the Carnies.