How Do I Clean an Air Flow Meter in a 1996 2.4 Toyota Tacoma?

The 2.4L engine found in some 1996 Toyota Tacomas uses a mass air flow meter mounted inline between the air filter and the throttle body on the engine. This meter (also called the mass air flow sensor) tells the Tacoma's computer how much air is coming into the engine. If the sensor gets dirty, then it won't be able to read the air flow correctly, and the engine may not run properly. To fix it, you need to clean the air flow meter, which can be done in about 15 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Flat head screwdriver
• Mass air flow sensor cleaner spray

Instructions

1. Pop the hood. Locate the air flow meter on the intake tubing, identified by a wiring harness running into it.

2. Unplug the harness to the meter. Unscrew the hose clamps on both sides of the meter with a flat head screwdriver then pull the meter out of the engine bay.

3. Spray the sensor with mass air flow sensor cleaner spray. Allow the sensor to air-dry.

4. Reinstall the sensor into the intake tubing with the flat head screwdriver. Plug the wiring back into the sensor.