# Unplugged MAF, now car won't start

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/unplugged-maf-now-car-wont-start/106548>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** alfaromeo\
**Created:** [August 3, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unplugged-maf-now-car-wont-start/106548 "2017-08-03T15:23:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jackocooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@jackocooper](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jackocooper)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unplugged-maf-now-car-wont-start/106548/1 "2017-08-03T15:23:23Z")

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Hi,

I watched a video online which said you can test your mass airflow sensor by unplugging it with you car running. I did this, the car died instantly, and now it won’t start (with or without the maf plugged in). Any ideas?  
Thanks

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**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unplugged-maf-now-car-wont-start/106548/2 "2017-08-03T16:16:23Z")

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What made you test your sensor?

you have an engine check light on?

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**Author:** ![jackocooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@jackocooper](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jackocooper)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unplugged-maf-now-car-wont-start/106548/3 "2017-08-03T16:49:13Z")

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Just sorted it. Kept the engine turning for a good 10 seconds, gave it some gas and slowly came to life

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unplugged-maf-now-car-wont-start/106548/4 "2017-08-03T19:45:54Z")

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One way is to bang it with a screwdriver head to see if the idle changes or the engine stumbles, but you can still have a MAF out of calibration that could cause a lean or rich mixture.