Quick MAF sensor question
 

I'm not familiar with "slot type" MAF sensors so hopefully one of you guys can tell me a little more about it...

I can see the hot wires on the inside, but is there any sensor function for the metal plate on one side?

If so, what the heck is that?

Hey Jordo, from what i was told at nissan the metal casing serves no function. I had 3 of these go out on past Z's and i took apart one...its just a case

Oh, okay -- thanks for clarifying :tup:

the metal element is heated using voltage from the pcm. as air in taken in, the element is cooled. the pcm compensates by increasing voltage to keep the element at a predetermined temperature, therefore calculating the intake charge.

So the metal plate is the thermistor? The thermistor isn't inside next to the hot wire? How bad is it if there's a small scratch on it?

i cant recall right off hand exactly what thing youre talking about, but thats basically how a MAF sensor works. ive never taken mine out and looked at it, but if it is just a small scratch, its probably fine. believe me, you'd know if it were messed up!

Yeah, but it's usually a little bulb looking thing with wires coming out of it -- I'm talking about the metal plate (casing) as in the picture above.

I thought it was odd that only one side was metal, hence my concern that it was more than just a protective case.