The fix is as simple as cleaning the MAF sensor with an approved cleaner, which the technicians at YourMechanic can do for you if they determine that this is the root problem. Anything that acts like insulation to the hot wire will cause this type of issue. The contamination can come in the form of spider webs, potting compound from the MAF sensor itself, dirt that gets attached to oil on the MAF from an over-oiled aftermarket air filter, and more. These symptoms indicate a MAF that has a contaminated hot wire. There are a number of driveability issues that arise from faulty MAF sensors. This equates to more air into the engine or less air into the engine. Whenever the temperature difference between the two sensing wires changes, the MAF will either increase or decrease the current to the heated wire. The microprocessor (computer) inside the MAF determines the amount of air entering the engine by how much current is required to keep the hot wire about 200 ℉ hotter than the cold wire.

There are several designs of MAF sensors, but the most common by far is the hot wire MAF sensor. The PCM uses this input to calculate engine load. Mass Airflow Sensors (MAF) have the responsibility of reporting the amount of air entering the engine to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

Infiniti mass air flow sensor problems