DarkApathy

I took out all the stock components to the air box and drop in filter and replaced it with my new conic intake filter. When I try to start my engine, it turns but immediately dies. Starts and then stops. I'm thinking I screwed up hooking up the ECU to the MAF. There are 3 tiny wires that hook up together right? I'm thinking I mixed them all up. Plus, my new air filter barely fits...and now my MAF doesnt rest on anything like it use to rest on the old stock air box. I need help guys. Is there something I missed? Everything is connected for sure, cause the engine turns over but then dies. Anybody a pro with that ECU sensor thing? Hopefully my car will start again soon...in the mean time I have to borrow my sister's or dad's car

DarkApathy

Im not sure if I have all the terminology correct. All i know is, maybe I connected the MAF wrong with that plug that screws into it, that i guess senses the air flow. There's some kind of wire that connects to the MAF. Can somebody help me figure out how to reconnect it back properly? I managed to connect 3 tiny wires that's in that wire boot back together. Im not sure about what order they go in...i thought I got them back in correctly. *sighs* damn...i was so excited too...now this setback occured. Thnx for the help...

nickkaranikas

put the stock filter back in and close eveything up
does it start now?
if not go to your local junkyard and drop the car off !

from monster pro5 with 440hp

DarkApathy

look, the car was running fine before i tried to install the conic intake filter. Im not going to drop my car off at some junkyard. Dude, you're not helping one bit. Plus, it's not that easy to put back the stock components. Probably take an hour. It's most likely the wire that connects to the VAF....now will somebody legitimate answer me please. Thnx.

marc93lx

Are you saying that you cut the wires instead of unplugging them from the VAF?

DarkApathy

NO WAY!!! I'd never do a noob move like that. I unplugged the cursed thing...and now I think I plugged it back wrong. It's too dark now to mess with it. I'll have to check it out tomorrow after work...good thing tomorrow's my friday from work. later.

DarkApathy

Even though it was dark...i brought a huge flashlight wit me and determined to fix my VAF connection. I just knew I had misconnected the tiny plugs. Well, to my surpise I didnt misconnect them. One of them was loose, and kept slipping off. Well, about an hour of taking apart my intake parts and messing with the VAF connections I finally figured out what was wrong (loose connection). So i took one of those tiny pliars and pinched the metal together so they'd fit more snuggly to the connector. WHOOPS!!!!!! I forgot to connect it first and clamped the tiny sucker shut. I was in deep shyt. But I didnt panic. I got a pocket knife and a heavy sewing needle (the thickest one you can find) and i messed with it...trying to unbend the tiny metal (fingers were cramping and virtually spraining over the strain). Slowly but surely...I was undoing my potentially serious mistake. I managed to slip the connector on and then clamp it shut. The other connections were fine (total of 3). So i put everything together, with a lil prayer to GOD upstairs, and turned the ignition. Started but died like before!!!! But i probably figured it was just deprieved. So I turned the key again and PRESTO!!!! Oh man, did that sound sweet. I sat in my car and heard it purr for a minute. Then I got out and looked under the hood while it was running. Everything checked out good. I'm just glad my car's back. And you can take all that to the junkyard....too bad you dont got a 1st generation sir....I love my car. I'll keep it as long as I can. Thnx everyone or anybody that genuinely cares about other Protege owners (no matter what year or gen it is). I appreciate it. Take carez...im out.

marc93lx

I still don't understand why you had to crimp the wires back together When I installed my intake all I did was unplug it and plug it back in. Just one wire, not three. Maybee you unplugged it somewhere else???

DarkApathy

When I took apart the connection to the VAF, I unscrewed 2 screws that are at the connection. When unscrewed, there is a tiny gasket, and 3 wires that connect to metal slots, the connections must be a very snug fit, unlike the one I had that was loose and kept slipping. I must've done it the hard way. Because I was pretty much messing with the inside connection of the VAF. I didn't realize that it could be easily disconnected. I tried to disconnect it, but the rubber came apart and exposed the wire that leads to the boot that connects to the 2 screws to the VAF. I'll see if I can unplug the boot. Gro Harlem is right, I was having no connection (in my case it was because of 1 loose wire connection out of 3 inside the VAF). So I thank you guys again. And I hope that cleared things up.

marc93lx

The plug is held on the VAF by a small metal clamp. You must first remove the clamp (you may need a small screwdriver or some needle nose plyers, and just pull at one end and work it up and off. Make sure to replace it when you are finished.) and then the plug can be easily pulled off. I think the screws you are talking about are what physically attaches the socket to the VAF. I wouldnt have messed with that piece, I think thats why your car was fucked up. Next time leave the screws alone! As I said just remove the clamp and pull the plug off. Hope this helps.

DarkApathy

Im sure it'll help in future intake care and repair. But like i posted earlier, everything is working fine now. My car didnt **** up...like gro harlem said, it was no VAF connection due to one loose connection. I'm actually glad I fixed it. Cause that thing was ready to fall off. Now I know how to fix internal VAF connections. Maybe in the future, you could be more explicit with directions on how to install an intake. I did mention wanting advice on it when I first came to this forum. Even researched the topic. But nobody ever went into the VAF. Only mentioning swapping it for a 86-88 Rx-7 VAF. So, I was pretty much doing this project blindly. Eventually having to solve the problem myself. Thnx anywayz, but sometimes help can come 2 minutes 2 late. By the way, thnx gro harlem.

marc93lx

Im glad you got everything working again, had I seen your earlier posts I would have chimed in. As for nobody helping you in detail that just goes to show how much of a dick people can be when someone needs help on something like this. They just say, "RTFM" or, "do a search noob" instead of helping.

On another note did you buy an entire intake system or just the cone and adapter? Reason I ask is because my weapon-r intake came with detailed instructions which covered everything I mentioned. Made it much easier.

DarkApathy

Just the intake and adapter. With no instructions. I started out thinking...stock air box...take a few bolts off here...a few there...and i thought i was done. But had to bolt off the air box resonator, and connector. The VAF was a pain of course. Just got myself deeper and deeper into it. I'm just glad my car's running. When i drive to work in the morning...i'll step on it, and tell you guys how it feels. Thnx again guys!

beachnut

Yeah, I did the same thing the first time I tried to disconnect the VAF. Before I read anything here, I unscrewed the two screws and started to pull the connector apart. When I saw all the soldered wires I realized that something wasn't right so I loosened the clip and pulled the connector off as one piece. Fortunately I didn't mess up any of the wiring!