Re: Air flow sensor fault code - 90Q

[Steve Manning <stephenm@ix.netcom.com>]

At 11:57 AM 6/18/98 -0500, John Holt wrote:
>My air conditioning died but from experience, I checked the fault codes
>first as my Q has been known to shut down the air conditioning when
>something else is amiss.
>
>There was a code 2232 which is for the air flow sensor and although it
>doesn't seem that it should be related to the air conditioning problem,
>I'll solve it first anyways. I have been having fluctuating engine speed at
>idle as noted by Bentley as a condition of that fault code. Bentley notes
>disconnected wires or a short as the cause but I have been unable to locate
>any such problem using the Bentley test procedure. Lastly, it says the
>entire air flow sensor assembly must be replaced including potentiometer.
>
>Has anyone BTDT with this problem in order to lead me to a solution without
>replacing the entire air flow assembly?  Can I remove the potentiometer and
>service it in some way?

John - yes, I've had the same experience.  Mine was easy to solve, however.
 Remove the big black 'waffle' boot on top of the air flow meter.  Once
you've exposed it, grab the round air flow plate by the middle nut and
*gently* pull up on it.  Do you feel any resistance when you do?  Is it
scraping on the sides?  On my particular '88 90q, the plate was very
slightly binding up on the sides because it was not centered.  You need to
undo the nut in the middle of the plate and center it exactly.  Specs are
in the Bentley, or you can do it by feel (and lots of trial and error).

My car had the same symptoms as yours - idle fluctuation because the plate
was sticking/unsticking, causing strange idle and off-idle patterns.  I was
also getting the error code.  A mechanic told me I needed a whole new
assembly, and I was way too poor to afford it.  I stumbled across this fix
and the car was fine for the rest of the four years I had it.........SLM

Steve Manning:  stephenm@ix.netcom.com
...Physical home: Metro D.C. area, USA
.....Virtual home:  http://www.stationwagon.com