Need some help kids bonnelville stalling at low speed 1998se

[toolman4]

I disconnected the battery and took the alternator apart to lube the bearings (new bearings are on the way)and it started stalling at slow speeds. Shop checked the alternator and battery and both are functioning properly. Code says tps sensor and map sensor. The engine light was on before I took the alternator apart and is still on. Shop cleaned tps sensor and flat horizontal black box next to tps (forget what it is) . My boy says it doesn't accelerate like it used to either. It will sit and idle all day and when it shuts off at slow speeds it will start right back up. You can drive all day at rode speed. How do I check the tps wires for volts. I have a blueblack, bluewhite, greenwhite, and greenblack. Do I stick the point of the ohmeter right through the wire covering to check this? Can I reset the computer? What else can I try?

[renchjeep]

98 se should not even have a MAP sensor......unless I'm mistaken. If the shop "cleaned" the MAF (mass airflow sensor) with anything but MAF cleaner, it's most likely toast. I know of no way to "clean" a TPS. I would think maybe an IAC (idle air control) valve caused the initial problem. Maybe just a dirty throttle butterfly to begin with?

[freneticburn]

there is a MAP sensor but it is different between L36 and L67s. I'd suspect a bunk MAF sensor if I were you though. These engines are fairly common in some areas so try to find someone you know that has the same engine and swap MAFs real quick.

[toolman4]

Thanks for the replies. I found a diagram and it was the maf I was talking about. The swap of parts is a good idea. I'll try to find a 3800 in the area to swap with. A shop can test the maf pretty quick right? Any ideas why this happened after I messed with the alternator? Battery was disconnected before I started?

[RPACODY]

did you reconnect the ground wire on the alternator bracket?

might try unplugging the MAF and see if it runs better

[toolman4]

So it will run without the maf and it won't hurt anything?

[freneticburn]

The car will run on presets if it detects the MAF isn't there. It won't ruin anything if you are gentle and it's short term. It's not a fix by any means, it's just a way of diagnosing whether or not your MAF sensor is giving your PCM incorrect readings. The MAF just monitors how much air you are sucking in and adjusts fuel accordingly.

[toolman4]

Thanks everybody for the info. While looking at everything I pulled the maf again and decided to spray it with carb cleaner to get any residue off. At the same time I swiveled the sensor that plugs into the flexible air intake hose after the air box because it looked dirty like something was on it. What does that sensor do. One of those two things fixed the problem so now its back to running good. On the 1998 can one relplace the drive bearing on the alternator? Parts shops don't list it for 1998 but they do for the 1997. I think it is a cs144 delco remy alternator.

[renchjeep]

The sensor on the air intake hose is the IAT (intake air temp) sensor. If it was blocked by debris, that may have been at least part of the problem. I really hope you used MAF cleaner, and not carb cleaner, to clean the MAF sensor. If you used carb cleaner, and all works out well for long-term, I will be surprised. I will also ask what brand of carb cleaner you used, as MAF cleaner is quite more pricey than carb cleaner!

[toolman4]

The cleaner I used was gumout carb cleaner. I lightly sprayed and then used my breathe to blow the rest off right away. The other sensor in the hose looked like a little dark colored glass that was dirty and I just rotated it like 90 degrees so the clean part was in the air stream. What should be used to clean this. Car is running normal again so thanks for all the help and insight.

[sandrock]

You don't use carb cleaner at all for anything fuel injected. Carb cleaner is way too harsh for modern electronics to contend with.

MAF = MAF cleaner or Electronics/motor cleaner
Throttle Body = TB cleaner. It won't stip the clearcoat off of throttle blades and the inside of the body itself like carb cleaner will.
Alternator/Starter motor = Electric motor cleaner, same stuff as the MAF would need.

I can't remember if it's CRC or CSC that makes the cleaners, but you can find them at any parts store. You can use non-chlorinated brake cleaner in a pinch for anythng but the TB, but don't go beyond that as far as strength is concerned.

[RPACODY]

whats done is done next time use the proper cleaner it is "CRC" save the carb cleaner for a carb - gald it is running better

[renchjeep]

The cleaner I used was gumout carb cleaner. I lightly sprayed and then used my breathe to blow the rest off right away. The other sensor in the hose looked like a little dark colored glass that was dirty and I just rotated it like 90 degrees so the clean part was in the air stream. What should be used to clean this. Car is running normal again so thanks for all the help and insight.

The sensor in the intake hose is the IAT, intake air temp sensor. I would use MAF cleaner on this as well. Maybe someone else has other ideas? Electronic spray cleaner, maybe? Definitely not carb cleaner. Carb cleaner is for carburetors only!

[toolman4]

Yep I'll use maf electrical cleaner next time and try to get some for the air temp sensor.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

MAF cleaner = quick-dry electronics cleaner. CRC QD Electronics Cleaner is the exact same stuff as CRC MAF Cleaner for $2 less. CRC Electric Motor Cleaner is NOT what you want!