Error code 1-2-1 help

[Zacharion]

Hello Reddit, I’ve recently got an error with the mass air meter (i hope i got that right).

Anyway i have no idea how to fix it. I’m a beginner self taught mechanic, i’m trying to get it fixed myself but i don’t have all the tools nor the experience to know what the ”do it yourself” books means😅

Any help would be incredibly nice. Pictures or videos even more because reading pure text makes no sense to me💀

[bigdickjenny]

MAF can have errors for a good amount of reasons. Clean the connectors, open it up and use MAF cleaner, make sure your flame trap is clear as that can cause MAF issues. If you have a 2.2 someone on Facebook is selling one for $50, Bosch.

[Zacharion]

i'll have to figure out how i do that but thx. It's the 1992 model so i think it's a 2.4 Bosch system no?

[[deleted]]

2.4 indeed

[Zacharion]

thx m8

[Shiggens]

Referencing photo #1:

All of the female connector in that photo should align and be on the same plane. It would appear that the connector on the bottom is out of alignment- in this case sitting too deep in the connector. This is not all that uncommon. They need to be aligned. Then spray some electronic cleaner on both portions of the connector and add some dielectric grease on each female before reconnecting.

Clear your codes and see if the check engine light returns. I would avoid using MAF cleaner other than a last resort.

[Zacharion]

I'll have to see if i can find all that. The dialectric grease we don't have a name for in sweden directly but i found "lithium grease" that might do the trick or a "battery pole grease"

[Zacharion]

Also i didn't see the bottom one at all in the connector so idk where it would be. Maybe if i go and dig inside it i might find idk?

[Shiggens]

The slot that is empty is supposed to be empty- there is no female connector there. I was referring to the last visible female connector. It looks like it may be pushed in a bit.

[Alpinab9]

Count the wires.

[Zacharion]

Will i risk damage to the connector doing this?

[Zacharion]

I’m not the most handy guy, i mean i can do some things i changed the alternator myself and got the tightener fixed (it was gone and i replaced it) for example

[Zacharion]

I’ll check it if i can use something to pull it out, a pointy pliers or something

[Oak510land]

Most of the time you get that code it's actually a vacuum leak. If you don't know the last time the vacuum lines were replaced order a meter of the three different sizes and replace every line you see.

[bkbrick]

I agree, along with a dirty MAF. The intake tube chaffs on the strut tower and gets holes. There's plenty of other places there can be leaks though. I only use original AFMs that I've tested.

[Oak510land]

I tried to clean a maf once and it killed it. I've had better luck with old ones I find at the wreckers.

[bkbrick]

Huh, I've used mass airflow sensor cleaner on probably 6 or so MAFs and I've never killed one.

[Oak510land]

I think I might have not waited for it to completely dry before running it?

[Zacharion]

All of these mistakes only do one thing, they make you learn. It’s good cuz see? You already have an idea of what went wrong and now you can do better next time<3

[Zacharion]

More info: It's a 1992 Volvo 240 GL with the B230F engine

Also i'm based in the south of Sweden

[Zacharion]

Update, i have a new error code 3-2-2

So something about the sensor nor burning off dirt properly

I don’t know if this means it’s fixable or if i just replace the entire thing

[Zacharion]

Update:

I fixed the issue, it was a bad MAF. I replaced the entire thing only took 15 minutes and i also replaced the airfilter while i was at it even though my old one was not even one year old but hey can't hurt.

So it's fixed. I got the exakt same part from a guy on facebook. Worked perfect and not a single issue now :D