318is Air Flow Meter

[newscam]

I have a 1992 318is with the check engine light going on and off, not blinking. I did the trick where you push the trip odometer button and punch the gas five times. I got the trouble code 1215 which I'm pretty certain means there is a fault with the air flow meter.

My question is, does this need to be replaced or can it be somehow cleaned to make it function properly? This is an old car and my wife is giving me a lot of trouble about putting money into it. I'd really like to avoid the almost $200 a new air flow meter costs.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

newscam

 

[E30m42cab]

I've hear that they shouldn't be cleaned, at least not the little dangley thingy inside it (the actual sensor). What I think they mean though is that it shouldn't be cleaned with anything to do with soaps or solvents. Maybe a few wipes with a clean cloth would help. The inside flaps could be cleaned because they get oil and dirt in them. Take off the rubber boot between the MAS and the throttle body, and see if it's all gunky... then check the other end of the MAS... clean what looks dirty, and give it a try.

 

[DSK]

The wires or tracks (depending on the type of air flow metre/mass sensor you have) do wear over times due to many things like the intake of dirty air etc and start to loose their efficiency and you can't repair them. As mentioned, it may be worth a try cleaning it out as suggested above, but if you need a new unit, then you can either get a replacement from a BMW independant parts specialist or try the cheaper salvage yard route.

Just note that if you have to get a replacement its likey that it may be calibrated slightly differently if its made by a different manufacturer as it can vary between car to car.

I need one for my 328i, at a BMW parts specialist its £195 for a new siemmens unit which is quite a good price in my opinion.