Hi,

I've got a 1997 Mazda Protege LX 1.8L Auto. It's a Canadian market model. I'm not sure if it's any different from the American market model. I suspect not, but you never know.

Anyway, It's currently sitting at my dealership. I've been told that it has a broken Mass Airflow Sensor, and the cost to replace it will be around $1500: only about $35 is for the labour. The rest makes up the cost of the sensor itself. So, I'm looking for some alternative solutions to my problem.

I'm wondering about the possibility of getting either an OEM or Aftermarket MAF Sensor (preferrably new) from somewhere other than Mazda Canada. I'm curious to know if anyone has any advice on where I can obtain one, and if the cost would be cheaper than $1400 and change (from what I've seen regarding other MAF Sensors, I suspect it should be).

I'm also wondering about the feasibility of finding a used MAF Sensor. I've got a couple ideas on where I might find one, but I'm just not sure whether or not this is a good idea. Am I likely to just end up replacing my broken sensor with one that's also in a broken or near-broken state?

I'm also interested in any information about Mazda Canada's/Mazda America's official pricing on the MAF Sensor.

Finally, I'm also interested in the potential cause of the malfunctioning sensor. Is the MAF Sensor known to be damaged by right-front impact from a collision? Or could the MAF Sensor be damaged by driving the car without a grille (i.e. picking up bits of whatever that might normally be prevented from reaching the engine)? I can give a few more details regarding this if anyone thinks this might be part of the problem.

Thanks,

Noah

 

$1500.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is ridiculous nowei. MSRP from Mazda is $665.15 US dollars. You should be able to order a brand new OE sensor from www.onlinemazdaparts.com. Just use the "Search by Factory Part Number " box and enter part # B6BF-13-215. They will sell you one for $532.12. Checked www.ourecms.com but did not see your part number. You could also check out www.foreignecurepair.com or contact them by phone.
Damage to right front should not have done anything as the MAF is in the left front corner and your grill is really no designed to stop anything front getting to engine area. Biggest source of damage to MAF sensors is a poorly fitting or missing air filter that allows unfiltered air to contaminate the sensor.

 

Thanks for the info babyhuey. I checked out the various sites, and while i'm not thrilled with a 500-700 dollar price tag, it's certainly better than 1400.

I'm still searching for aftermarket alternatives and I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off searching for a MAF Sensor for a 93-97 Miata, as the part appears to be the same according to onlinemazdaparts.com, and there generally seem to be more places dealing in miata parts as opposed to protege parts.

Thanks again,

Noah

 

Picky,Picky, Picky. Knocked it down by 2/3 and still not happy.

Yes a Mid 90's Miata has the same sensor. I in fact used a 97 to look up price for aftermarket as the website kept thinking I had the 1.5l engine.[:@]

How about $226.99 for a Cardone remanufactured sensor with a 1 year warranty???
See if the link below will take you there. It is at www.partsamerica.com

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...20Air%20Sensor

 

thanks again.

and i'm very aware that i'm really trying to fix this problem as cheaply as possible. i knew about the cardone sensors, but i wasn't sure where to get them. it doesn't look as though i can order them directly, as i'm in canada and partsamerica only ships to the states. but i've got relatives in the states, so i can always get them to order one for me and ship it up here.

right now my MAF sensor is functioning: the long fuel trim is at 6%. so i might just let this problem ride for a bit longer and drive the car as little as possible until i can get the sensor replaced. as i understand it, nothing really terrible is going to happen to the car in the meantime. but i'm keeping an eye on it.

thanks,

noah

 

I think we all want to get the repair done as inexpensively as possible eh noah? Why pay more when you can spend a bit less for the same job? Am going to be gone for 4 days but will check when I get back and see what I might be able to get a sensor for if you would like me to check. Techs always get for less thru a parts store so maybe we can bring that bottom line down a little more. Would be more than happy to make the purchase and ship to you it we can find a better deal somewhere.
6% fuel trim is not too bad at all for a 97 Protege. Do you know if it is '+' or '-'?? That would tell you if the correction is to the rich or lean side. "+" means more fuel is being added and "-" means it is being taken away. And no nothing really terrible is going to happen. Fuel trim adjustment was designed into the vehicle just for that purpose. To compensate for slight malfuctions, wear, leaks, etc. You will not see a CEL on until long fuel trim reaches 20% or so.

 

The work order I got back doesn't specify +/- so I might assume that it's +, but I can't say for certain.

With regard to ordering a part, unless it's *significantly* cheaper than any of the other prices, I wouldn't worry about it. Although it might not have sounded like it, I was actually quite happy when you told me I could get it for 665. Thanks for the offer, though.

Noah

 

Hi Noah, will give a check tomorrow to see if can get for you at a significantly cheaper price and will let you know my cost on the MAF. Is the CEL on or something else that is causing the MAF to be suspect because 6% does not sound like too much of a reason to be of concern unless it has been higher in the past causing the CEL to light or other driveablity concerns?