MAF sensor plug won't clip, becomes loose - what do I need?

[schwiz23]

Well... got all excited about my new A4, bought a cold air intake, installed it, and sure enough, the MAF sensor plug will not stay on the MAF sensor. When I removed the plug, I did pull back the grey tab before removing it, but I just can't get the plug to stay. It slides off on it's own. Granted, the K&N cold air intake design isn't great (adds some tension to the MAF plug), but I would expect it to still clip in place. I have some electrical wire wrapped around it for the time being. There's no way it will stay with how hot it gets under the hood.

What do I need to replace? The MAF Sensor itself? The plug? Both? I've had this car for 4 days...

Any advice?

[schwiz23]

Took another good look at it, and then looked at some MAF sensors online and it looks like its not the plug, its the MAF sensor itself. The MAF sensor has a little tab that keeps the plug in place. Damnit. That's a $200 fix :(

In the meantime, I just took some RTV and put it around the sensor where the plug meets. That should hold it for a couple days.

[Allowencer]

I have the exact same issue. I use a black zip tie over the connector, around the housing, and then some good black electrical tape to wrap it on tight to prevent the zip tie from falling off. Jenky yes, but it kind of looks stock lol.

I also moved some of the wiring for the MAF connector through the harness to bring it closer. Was able to find an inch or 2 which prevented the strain.

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[schwiz23]

Good call on the zip tie. I think I'm going to return this CAI system. It's kind of annoying to be honest.

[Allowencer]

Good call on the zip tie. I think I'm going to return this CAI system. It's kind of annoying to be honest.

Annoying as in?

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[schwiz23]

Annoying as in?

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It's too loud and obnoxious. I bought the Audi for the luxury aspect, not for any sports car aspect. Hearing every little sound the turbo made was just not appealing to me. I'm sure there are plenty here that like it, but it's just not for me. The way the K&N fit just didn't sit well with me either. I have a K&N on my 2014 RAM 1500 and it fit perfectly. This did not.

I ended up putting my stock airbox back in, and ziptied the MAF sensor plug to the MAF sensor. Worked great and will get me by for some time. With the stock airbox, the plug doesn't want to come out on it's own either.

[Theiceman]

save your money till you discover what the car needs.

I just bought a b12 lowering kit from a guy who bought it after owning the car a week... before he realized he had bought a car that burns a quart of oil per week. he had to get rid of the car and I scored the lowering kit.

[audrobotic]

First on mod checklist should be tires.

[Theiceman]

First on mod checklist should be tires.

and that should be after the " premod" checklist:

Tensioner visual status check
timing chain phase
oil burning
RMS leaks
coolant leaks
brakes
vcds engine scan
...and last but not least 3 months of solid ownership to establish solid baseline before even starting to mod.

[schwiz23]

Definitely noted. Returned the CAI.

Should have noted that it has brand new tires, brakes, brake fluid flush, new air filter, and fresh coolant and no leaks.

My first Audi, but not my first rodeo.

[Theiceman]

Definitely noted. Returned the CAI.

Should have noted that it has brand new tires, brakes, brake fluid flush, new air filter, and fresh coolant and no leaks.

My first Audi, but not my first rodeo.

Since its your first Audi definitely read up on oil consumption and timing tensioner failures...
many cars get passed through the secondary market due to oil consumption issues that are big $$$$ to repair unless you are pulling your own engine.

what year / mileage is it ?

[schwiz23]

Since its your first Audi definitely read up on oil consumption and timing tensioner failures...
many cars get passed through the secondary market due to oil consumption issues that are big $$$$ to repair unless you are pulling your own engine.

what year / mileage is it ?

I very much appreciate the tips! I'll look into it for sure.

I started reading the DIY thread on changing out the tensioner, guides, and timing chains. I can see why those tensioners fail though due to them being static. I built my R6 engine on my race bike and the stock tensioner adjusts as the timing chain stretches so I was a bit surprised to see a static tensioner on the A4, but I suppose thats kind of an apples oranges comparison.

2015 A4 Premium Quattro w/ 54k miles... searching for oil consumption now :)

[Traptalk]

You can get a new factory maf for less then $100 on Fcp euro with life time warranty.
On mine the plastic locking tab on the Maf broke off as well as the grey lever on the connector.

It’s a very easy swap.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...sor-06j906461d

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...tor/4f0973705/

There is a pink plastic locking bar. This need to be slid out of the connector for the pins to be able to be pulled out. Take a picture of the original connector to insure the wires are going back into the right terminals. Once the pins are pushed into the new connector, then you slide the pink locking piece back in to place.

I remember I picked up these terminal tools but can’t remember if I actually need them to remove the pins.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben.../025682sch01a/


I do electrical work for a living so this took me less than 5 minutes to change out, but I imagine even a first time removal would take less then a half hour start to finish. It’s only 3 wires if I remember correctly.

[Theiceman]

I very much appreciate the tips! I'll look into it for sure.

I started reading the DIY thread on changing out the tensioner, guides, and timing chains. I can see why those tensioners fail though due to them being static. I built my R6 engine on my race bike and the stock tensioner adjusts as the timing chain stretches so I was a bit surprised to see a static tensioner on the A4, but I suppose thats kind of an apples oranges comparison.

2015 A4 Premium Quattro w/ 54k miles... searching for oil consumption now :)

its not a static tensioner ... keep reading :)

but the good news is for you it is a 2015 so it is the updated tensioner so no reason to be too worried. With 54K i think your chain stretch will be in the 2.5-3.5 range which is nothing to worry about. I would check it if i were you though and monitor it semi annually.

I had to pull the engine on my 14 and rebuild it due to oil burning, but it was a high mileage 130k miles. I dont think you have too much to worry about, but always educate yourself before modding :)