P0101 error code - is that just for MAF?

kmessinger

Active member
I have a P0101 error code (and a check engine light) which I think is the MAF sensor. I took out the air filter, blew it out, ordered a clean one, put the old back in. Checked all the MAF wires with nothing found. Error still on.

Is this code just for the MAF? Fix it by replacing the MAF Air Flow Sensor ($300) or could it be the MAP sensor or Air Intake Pressure Sensor, or Air Intake Temperature Sensor (it was real hot yesterday)?

Code came on when I went to start this morning. Seems to run fine, out on the freeway up to 60mph with no problems. Yesterday did note turning from exit lane onto surface street I had basically no throttle response for 5-10 seconds.

Thanks,

Keith
 

WAYNERODD

Member
Keith, Not all error codes clear right away. I am not sure about your code. But it does refer to the performace of the MAF sensor. A good scan tool like DAD or a DRB3 would help you find out what the actual reading of the MAF sensor to see if it is out of range. Some after market scanners also can do this, but not all of them.

But if you must buy a new you can get them here at a great price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0550804847&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

This one is for a 2004-2006. You did not say what year your van was. So I can not say that this will fit your van.

Also I had one go bad in van van. Left me stranded, would not start, all I had to do was unplug it. That was enough to let me get back home in limp home mode. Just thought it I should mention it, should yours go out and stop you dead in your tracks.

Hope this helps, Wayne
 

jdcaples

Not Suitable w/220v Gen

scubanw3

Member
EGR and low airflow issues can cause extraneous MAF codes along with other misleading codes. The EGR hanging open creates a sudden lack of airflow and velocity tricking the MAF into thinking there is a problem. Since the NCV3 has so many EGR issues, there may be a connection in your case. The lack of throttle response also supports this. See my post under 3.0 CRD turbo/sudden loss of power??
Hope this helps.

Thank you, John
Sprinter Store
http://sprinterstore.com/
A division of Upscale Automotive, Inc.
19460 SW 89th Ave.
Tualatin, OR 97062
503-692-0846
 

kmessinger

Active member
Well, it is in the shop. Yes, the P0101 error means lots of other problem areas as well so they are still looking. ($)

They think an air leak between the turbo and intake manifold?

I now have a loner (yes, I am a loner also)! and am on my way home.

Regards,

Keith
 

Mrdi

Active member
My thoughts are with you Keith.
To whom did you entrust your steed?

Use the good olives.

Mrdi
 

kmessinger

Active member
My thoughts are with you Keith.
To whom did you entrust your steed?

Use the good olives.

Mrdi
Beshoff Motorcars Mercedes in San Jose . . . I don't even use olives any more. They displace too much alchohol.

They found it was the seal on the attenuator baffle (is that the turbo resonator?). It is where the air flow comes from the turbo across to the drivers side and down . . . I haven't had the chance to look for it. Parts are cheap, like $15, but labor for 2 days of looking will be around $600. I should pick it up this afternoon and have all the codes, etc.

Regards,

Keith
 

jdcaples

Not Suitable w/220v Gen
I should pick it up this afternoon and have all the codes, etc.

Regards,

Keith
I'm looking forward to the codes.

Please consider posting in NCV3 write-ups about what device reported "P0101" and then the real codes, problem description and remedial actions.

-Jon
 
Last edited:

kmessinger

Active member
Picked up the bus this morning (it was ready yesterday afternoon) - YAHOO! :bounce:
The culprit was an o-ring. It is just below what used to be the turbo resonator and is now the attenuator baffle(?), in the aluminum pipe. It was torn. The only way I can see this happening is in engine assembly. It doesn't look like normal wear and tear to me.

From the invoice . . . "Performed quick test. Code 2623-001. Performed diag according to SDS. Found specified and acutual values not in spec. SDS having communication problems with vehicle. Rechecked with different SDS, using 08/10 software and all available patches. Found specified values now correct but MAF sensor reading high. Performed charge air system leak check. Found leak at lower seal of Attenuator (baffle)."​
part.jpg

part2.jpg

The good thing is it did not throw me into limp mode and Beshoff Motorcars Mercedes, gave me a C3100 with 2500 miles on it, as a loaner the whole time the Sprinter was in the shop. I noticed quite a bit more "pick-up" than I am used to but I was so low to the road I couldn't see anything. Really, if you step on the gas with this car, you better be paying attention!

Total bill: Parts $4.50; Labor $560 :thumbdown:

My extended warranty (Good Sam) declined to cover this but I am going back to them with the pictures for a second try.

My first problem in 45k miles.

Regards,

Keith
 
Last edited:

jdcaples

Not Suitable w/220v Gen
According to the DTCs I found in this posting:

https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showpost.php?p=61984&postcount=1
2623 is "Charge air system offset drift at idle"

So what I - a consumer - learned from your posting:

Outdated scan tool software (Mercedes-Benz Star Diagnosis System - SDS), is something to verify as up front and immediately. ("Is your SDS up to date? I'd like you to verify this before you start work.")

I also learned that if Mass Air Flow metrics are out of spec, it's not necessarily just the sensor, further digging is required.

I don't think I'm speaking out of turn if I were to say that tech training is critical and Dodge techs didn't necessarily get the same level of training MB techs are getting with/about the NAFTA Sprinter.

If I - completely w/o training and only a small understanding of anything "Sprinter" - were faced with this problem, I'd be swapping parts ($) for hours (more $) and hours (more $) before I figured out the real problem; and my manager would be charging you for my guess work.


This is an excellent example of why a hobbiest or an underqualified tech shouldn't be allowed to wrench on your Sprinter.

-Jon
 

220629

Well-known member
...
This is an excellent example of why a hobbiest or an underqualified tech shouldn't be allowed to wrench on your Sprinter.

-Jon
Hey Jon!
EASY there good buddy!:laughing: If I take your comment at face value I'd never be able to work on my own van.:hmmm:

Your point is well taken though.:hugs: vic
 

jdcaples

Not Suitable w/220v Gen
Hey Jon!
EASY there good buddy!:laughing: If I take your comment at face value I'd never be able to work on my own van.:hmmm:

Your point is well taken though.:hugs: vic
Actually, you're right. I should have said you shouldn't pay money with an expectation of expertise and first-try-success remediation to a non-qualified business or technician.

-Jon
 

pnw sprinter

New member
Hello All.
I've had this error code spring up on me several times. :yell:I've cleaned my MAF sensor as directed and no luck. I've also checked the hoses etc and seem to have no problems there.

Might P0101 come up on ScanGauge II if the EGR valve is clogged? :thinking:I haven't tried to clean that yet but it might just be my next step. Any help/ advice here would be appreciated.

Thanks
 

220629

Well-known member
Hello All.
...I've cleaned my MAF sensor as directed and no luck. ...Thanks
Go back and reread this entire thread. Depending on the scan tool that gave you the code the DTC information and cryptic label your information could be vague at best.

The air mass is a calculated value which is monitored for expected range as to present engine operating conditions by using many of your sensors. The MAF sensor is but one piece of that. Off the top of my little pointy head problems with the boost pressure sensor, boost air temperature sensor, O2 sensor, EGR, and a few I know I'm leaving out can also contribute to a Air Mass related DTC. Sorry I can't offer more. vic
 
Last edited:

lindenengineering

Well-known member
I have 2010 dtc P0101 I have looked at every thing and still can not get rid of the problem, I have to be over looking something BUT WHAT!
This can be a bit of a challenge at times to trace, especially if you don't have specialist auto mechanics equipment.
Basically the PCM is telling you the charge values are out of whack.
It starts aft of the turbo where charge out leaves the turbo on its long and arduous route to the other side of the engine and then back up again to the inlet manifolds.

The dog leg alum tube and its seals, plus that ill conceived silencer and all the adapter sleeves & seals are very prone to leaks. (leaves me at times to think what brainiac came up with that idea.):thumbdown:

Now down to the rest bend hoses that connect to the cooler (yes "rest bend" like the porcelain commode in your house) Prone to rupture and worn split O rings, these things are a very high on the list of leakage points. In college in France the teaching was putting an omega bend in a high flowing pipe was a no no mon sewer! Basically P trap! :idunno:
Of course I won't mention the intercooler yet (being a bit sarcastic) because it has a nasty habit of leaking at the end tank seals.
Then its up and under to the throttle body passing an O ring plus gasket where there is a charge pressure sensor and then onto a mix of O ring and gasket where the whole snaking arrangement meets the manifolds proper. Phew! whatta trip!

Now normally a regular low pressure smoke machine can find leak points but with these machines the recommendation is to pressurize the whole inlet arrangement with 30 psi of shop line pressure.
By the way I see that the pro tool suppliers like Snap On are releasing high pressure smoke machines that deliver 30 psi for us in the trade at grandiose prices.

Now in practical terms I had one last week that would only fault out occasionally and it seemed that it always happened on steep grade once in a blue moon. So it was obviously a high pressure leak.
It was ultimately traced to a leak in the intercooler end tank seal using 30 psi of shop line pressure. A new cooler and hoses fixed it!

By the way P0101 equates to MB code DTC 150200 and includes 14CF00 referring to EGR component Y27/17.
And that my dear friends includes a sticking EGR valve and blocked up EGR cooler.

Now that last week's specimen had the same info pop up on my scanner screen but I preferred to concentrate on the charge air system which eradicated all the faults. Lady artist owner reported a subsequent trip to Chicago from Denver showed no faults by the time she was in Davenport Iowa.
All happy campers.
Hope that gives you some pointers!
Dennis
 

flman

Roadrunner, Genius of Birds ALWAYS WINS! NO FAILS!
I just got a P0101 today and my van is a total slug, should I throw $300 at it for a new MAF or send it to the dealer?

Any one have the pin out test for the Sprinter MAF?

I checked all boost piping and the EGR and it all looks good.
 

flman

Roadrunner, Genius of Birds ALWAYS WINS! NO FAILS!
Mine turned out to be a dirty air filter, and I picked up and STP one on a Sunday, and the problem remained. So it went to the dealer, they re-adapted the offset drift on the MAF, and it still was in limp until they put in a OEM Filter. So if you have this code try a Mercedes Benz air filter first.
 

Top Bottom