what issues/problems can arise if I drive with the MAF unplugged

following on from this thread

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=35453

I removed the MAF, watched 100's of youtube video's on cleaning and problems with the MAF, then decided to clean it myself with some earbuds only....no strange lubricants used.....refitted

still the same problem of suddenly dying whilst idling

so now I have unplugged the MAF, car still starts idles and even accelerates normally, or possibly even beter (possibly my imagination).

I intend to drive around the suburbs tomorrow on my Standby call-out day (thus not far from home in case I get a call to go and work)...will try lots of starts/stops/accelerations etc to see if the problem of rough intermittend idle and dying still persists.

my question....is it damaging to anything to drive with the MAF unplugged?

Morning

The MAF's are there for a reason, but when they're unplugged the ECU will find a "stable" level of air flow to compensate for the lack of data.

My advise, drive around with it for a day or so. There's also MAF cleaner available which cleans the tiny sensors. Carb cleaner also works :=):

Good luck!

Think it might also be heavier on fuel??

Does not mean its automatically the MAF though.

With it unplugged, the ECU uses a default map and thats why it appears to be going better.

Cam sensor possibly as well.Have you had the codes read, should give you a better indication.

As for running MAFless, its a safe map, so no damage, but increased fuel usage

If you can loan a MAF from a fellow fanatic for a day, just to confirm.

Also Mike was selling MAF cleaners at one point

What they said.

Have a friend with e46 318i, and her MAF started acting up. It was unplugged and she drove like it for a few weeks, after which I installed a new MAF for her.

Car ran fine with the maf disconnected.

She did say that the car felt more responsive with better fuel consumption after I installed the new MAF.

Have you hooked up any diagnostics yet? Probably the best bet to help identify what the issues are.

Replacing a MAF is never fun, considering the cost. Not sure what the 7 series MAF's go for, but BMW dealers quoted for R12k for ONE :/
If your MAF is the issue and you aren't keen on replacing, you can look at mapping your ECU to bypass the MAF, run at a constant "flow" if that makes any sense?

Thanks for the replies folks/fanatics

I will drive it around for a day or two to see if made a difference, and possibly on my next batch of "OFF days" make a plan to get it somewhere where a diagnostic system test can be done ...so Leonard..no...havn't had it diagnosed yet...no codes.

just trying (with the limited time available that I have) to do some "hit-and-miss" trouble shooting with my limited BMW mechanical knowledge.....technology has moved on so much since the days when I stripped a VW beetle motor/Chev 3.8 litre motor etc.

i would get some maf cleaner and give it a good clean... most maf failures are just dirt on the sensor...

hi - new here in the UK. As guys have suggested, clean maf with maf cleaner (electrical contact cleaner) also idle control valve - should do the trick:=):