Mass Airflow Sensor fault - P1145

gills

A2OC Donor
Hi, I wonder if I can tap into the collective wisdom with a fault that I've got?

Yesterday, my 1.4tdi (75) wouldn't pickup properly for 10-20 seconds after starting. The engine started immediately, as normal, but then wouldn't rev and was juddery as I pulled away. It resolved itself each time after 50 yards or so and the car then drove normally. The same thing happened to a greater or lesser extent every time I started it. It felt like fuel starvation and I wondered if I had an air leak, but it was the same after nipping into the shops as after being left all day at work.

When I scanned for faults, I got P1145, which is described as "Mass airflow sensor. Short circuit to B+". After a quick Google I discovered the car should run on default settings with the sensor is disconnected. When I disconnected the sensor this morning, the car started and ran fine.

My question is, has anyone had this before (it doesn't appear to be a common fault code!) and is it likely to be a sensor or a wiring fault?

Thanks in advance, Ian
 
With the sensor, unplugged, scan again. If same error code probably wiring, if different, such as open circuit, probably the sensor.
Mac
 
Afternoon Ian,

I actually had this exact fault come up on the OEM A2 in the first few weeks of ownership.

I found a thread on here about this which suggested to (as you have already done so) unplugging the sensor to see if performance was less erratic. It was fine so assumed a replacement Sensor was required.

Upon further reading another member mentioned about simply removing the MAF Sensor and give it a good dousing in MAF Sensor Cleaner. I popped up to halfords to purchase said cleaner. Used probably half a tin (be careful to not wet any connector pins), let it dry for an hour or 2, popped it back in and all was fine. The same fault did present itself again a month later 500-600 miles), done the same again with the remaining half a tin and it’s been fine ever since. That was some 7-8k miles ago.

As Mac says above, if the scan results show reveal this to be ‘open circuit’ which leads to Sensor malfunction, a quick cleaning with the correct product might just work.

I’m certainly no expert on this subject, this is based on personal experience from just 1 fault early 2020, I suppose the best solution is to replace the Sensor with a new genuine part should it be the cause of your issue.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Thank you Mac and Tom for your replies.

I'm getting Open Circuit with the MAF disconnected, so it does look like a sensor issue. I'll try giving it a good clean.

Thanks again!

Ian
 
I've had same prob, i gave it a very good spray with maf cleaner, let it dry off and maybe do it again but do not touch the shiny bits or the wire strand. they get grimy over the years and lack off air cleaner changing, good luck, oh and its a tt20 hex bit for the screws
 
If only cleaning the MAF sensor I found it quicker to remove the short length of pipe the sensor is located in as the 2 torx were too tight to remove and had already drawn blood trying to get the little blighters out!
 
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