• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Is it a good idea to reset the PCM when installing a new MAF sensor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LaserRed01GT
  • Start date Start date Oct 16, 2006

LaserRed01GT

Banned
Oct 3, 2006
739
3
0
Clearwater, FL
Oct 16, 2006
#1
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #1
Or does it matter?

Is the best way to just unhook the negative battery cable for 15 mins, or is there a PCM fuse on these cars?
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Oct 16, 2006
#2
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #2
Stock Maf? If so, then yes it is a good idea, disconnect the negative battery cable and tap the brake pedal a few times and let it set for about 10 or 15 minutes. If it is not another stock maf you will need to do more than just clear the memory.
 

LaserRed01GT

Banned
Oct 3, 2006
739
3
0
Clearwater, FL
Oct 16, 2006
#3
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #3
jstreet0204 said:
Stock Maf? If so, then yes it is a good idea, disconnect the negative battery cable and tap the brake pedal a few times and let it set for about 10 or 15 minutes. If it is not another stock maf you will need to do more than just clear the memory.
Click to expand...

Yes, another stock sensor going into my 85mm C&L MAF housing. What does tapping the brake pedal do?
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Oct 16, 2006
#4
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #4
LaserRed01GT said:
Yes, another stock sensor going into my 85mm C&L MAF housing. What does tapping the brake pedal do?
Click to expand...

C&L is not the best choice, but to answer your question, tapping the brake bleeds off the capacitors in the eec.
 

LaserRed01GT

Banned
Oct 3, 2006
739
3
0
Clearwater, FL
Oct 16, 2006
#5
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #5
jstreet0204 said:
C&L is not the best choice, but to answer your question, tapping the brake bleeds off the capacitors in the eec.
Click to expand...

Why is C&L not the best choice? What do you recommend then?
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Oct 16, 2006
#6
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #6
C&L's are notoriusly hard to tune, and will lean the stock fuel curve out. If you are naturally aprirated you most likely do not need to change the MAF. The stock MAF is not a problem until you get to about 350 rwhp. The C&L's ONLY make power by leaning the car out. If you do get to the point where the stock MAF is saturated, then an 90mm Lightning MAF or an SCT MAF is a good choice. Stay away from any maf that calibrates to injectors.
 

LaserRed01GT

Banned
Oct 3, 2006
739
3
0
Clearwater, FL
Oct 16, 2006
#7
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #7
jstreet0204 said:
C&L's are notoriusly hard to tune, and will lean the stock fuel curve out. If you are naturally aprirated you most likely do not need to change the MAF. The stock MAF is not a problem until you get to about 350 rwhp. The C&L's ONLY make power by leaning the car out. If you do get to the point where the stock MAF is saturated, then an 90mm Lightning MAF or an SCT MAF is a good choice. Stay away from any maf that calibrates to injectors.
Click to expand...

I am using a stock replacement sensor that is going into a 85mm aluminum C&L housing. I had a nitrous backfire that toasted the stock MAF sensor's elements.

Are you saying the actual C&L MAF sensors are hard to tune, or just the actual flow characteristics of the aluminum C&L MAF housing?
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Oct 16, 2006
#8
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #8
LaserRed01GT said:
I am using a stock replacement sensor that is going into a 85mm aluminum C&L housing. I had a nitrous backfire that toasted the stock MAF sensor's elements.

Are you saying the actual C&L MAF sensors are hard to tune, or just the actual flow characteristics of the aluminum C&L MAF housing?
Click to expand...

The c&l housing with the stock sensor is the one that tuners don't like. The MAF is the most critical sensor in the system, it is best to use an oem style MAF. Some have drivability problems with them, and I've never heard of one that didn't need a/f ratio correction when they went to tune it.
 

LaserRed01GT

Banned
Oct 3, 2006
739
3
0
Clearwater, FL
Oct 16, 2006
#9
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #9
The car was tuned right before I bought it, and the previous owner said the C&L MAF housing had been "considered" into the tune. Before the N20 backfire, the car ran and pulled perfectly all the way to 6,400 RPM's without a hiccup. So I am assuming that the tune was pretty good.

It was tuned by Coastal Dyno.
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Oct 16, 2006
#10
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #10
LaserRed01GT said:
The car was tuned right before I bought it, and the previous owner said the C&L MAF housing had been "considered" into the tune. Before the N20 backfire, the car ran and pulled perfectly all the way to 6,400 RPM's without a hiccup. So I am assuming that the tune was pretty good.

It was tuned by Coastal Dyno.
Click to expand...

If he had it on the car when it was tuned it will probably be alright.
 

LaserRed01GT

Banned
Oct 3, 2006
739
3
0
Clearwater, FL
Oct 16, 2006
#11
  • Oct 16, 2006
  • #11
jstreet0204 said:
If he had it on the car when it was tuned it will probably be alright.
Click to expand...

Ok, that's reassuring. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Electrical 2001 GT Overcharging
  • PseudoGT
  • Dec 3, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
250
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Noobz347
K
Engine 2000 Mustang GT - Fuel issue post-blown spark plug repair
  • kenster1092
  • Feb 26, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
343
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Mar 10, 2026
kenster1092
K
G
2006 Mustang GT o2 Sensor Wiring Issue Car Bogging/Choking
  • GCantero93
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Sep 6, 2025
Noobz347
T
2002 V6 3.8L Help Me
  • TheIncompetentMechanic
  • Apr 4, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
50
Views
812
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 12, 2026
TheIncompetentMechanic
T
A
Resolved 03 GT Parasitic Draw Fuse 26 (PCM)
  • Antrix
  • Mar 22, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
700
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Mar 24, 2025
89ripper
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?