MAF sensor issues and replacement

[KuroNekko]

Yesterday, my Kizashi stalled out at idle like it had in the past after engine rinses. However, this time, things were different due to no water exposure (not even rain) and it finally caused an CEL. I read the code with my device and app:
P0101 and P0172. I'm going to assume P0172 is related to P0101. Some research here and elsewhere indicated the MAF sensor is likely the culprit and this fits my experience with the stalling issues of the past without the CEL. I resolved it by cleaning and drying the MAF. However, I am now inclined to replace the sensor given this occurrence and the age/mileage of the vehicle. I also came across a post here about other MAF sensors not resolving the issue and Denso being the one to seek.

This next part is why I'm writing about it:
Megazip currently has a sale code (FREEDOM15) for 4th of July (US Independence Day for non-Americans) but the Suzuki OE MAF sensor is $480 + shipping from Japan. That's just way too much, even on sale. Because it's made by Denso, which is a major Japanese OEM, I decided to go down a rabbit hole of cross-referencing OE part numbers to see if a Denso aftermarket or even compatible Toyota OE part could be found. For those who don't know, Denso is/was a subsidiary of Toyota Corp thus there is a good chance that a Denso-made part on any car is also on a Toyota. After some time, I determined that the Denso 197-6160 MAF Sensor is listed as compatible with the Suzuki OE 13800-54L00. The same source listed some other non-OEM aftermarket sensor for compatibility that a different source showed compatibility with the Kizashi, thus cross-reference verification. This Denso MAF sensor is mostly for Toyota and Lexus models, which makes sense.

I found and ordered it on Amazon for $85. Once I have it installed and tested, I'll post if it was compatible or not. I'm really hoping that it being a Denso part will allow it to have full compatibility on the Kizashi, even as an aftermarket part. This will save us hundreds and a headache if we don't need to source the specific OE Suzuki part made by Denso.

[SAEED_KIZZY]

thanks for sharing KuroNekko, I hope it went well but I heard most of the time these Amazon parts are counterfeit usually made in China rebranded, and sold on Amazon you can also buy a used OE from Ebay as an alternate solution.
btw, I found the OE MAF sensor in the Megazip UAE warehouse and wanted to buy it price was 186$ but they said the part was sold and no longer available they suggested buying it from Japan at 383$ price but I couldn't convince myself to buy either.

[KuroNekko]

Yeah, I first looked on Megazip given the sale but they now only offer MAF sensors shipped from Japan at USD $480. It's too much. I thought about used ones on eBay but contrary to your experience, mine is that eBay is more chocked with frauds and fakes than Amazon. It's clear to me that there are Chinese "knock-offs" on Amazon but those are about $25. I bought one of those for the rear trunk latch and it works fine, but for a critical part like an engine sensor, I wanted a quality name. I thought about NTK but Old Tech advised in another post that Denso is the way to go as they are the OEM. This is why I started looking into aftermarket Denso parts and saw that Denso makes one specified as a replacement for the Kizashi's OE sensor. It's largely hidden in the specs for Toyota replacement parts. Much like the KYB shocks on these cars, it's evident the OEM makes compatible aftermarket parts that are the same or almost the same as the OE part from the factory. If these will work, they save so much money. My quest here is to find, acquire, and try these kinds of parts to see if they are a real solution. I've replaced a fog light, trunk latch, radiator cap, spark plug coil, and other parts this way by finding out what's compatible with the OE part. I'm finding the Kizashi uses a lot of parts also used in Toyotas of its model year.

The Denso part I ordered was about $100 but $85 on sale. It's made in Japan and the Amazon listing was the same product as on Denso's aftermarket site. It ships rather slow for an Amazon listing so after I get it and install, I will update this thread regarding compatibility.

As of now, the Kizashi is running normally again after I cleaned the MAF sensor with a proper cleaner. However, I seek to replace the sensor given the occasional issues. I'm also hoping to get better fuel economy if my sensor is indeed compromised.

[SAEED_KIZZY]

very well it's a good plan but I have a question did you replaced your MAF sensor with known good one for example from other Kizashi car owner and check if the problem fixed?

[KuroNekko]

very well it's a good plan but I have a question did you replaced your MAF sensor with known good one for example from other Kizashi car owner and check if the problem fixed?

Ha! I wish but where I live, the Kizashi, or even any Suzuki, is an extremely rare car. It is actually harder for me to locate a used MAF sensor from a Kizashi than a new one (not considering price) so I was keen to figure out which Denso aftermarket could work. If the Denso part I ordered does not work, I will have to try find a used part as a cost-effective solution.
Unfortunately, Suzuki parts are hard to come by now in the US, especially for the Kizashi which was a very low-volume vehicle. Some regions like the Mid-Atlantic sold in decent numbers but they are very rare in the West where I now live.

[KuroNekko]

Update:
I received the Denso MAF sensor #197-6160 I ordered on Amazon. It looks like an authentic Denso aftermarket part with the only difference in expectation being it was made in Vietnam instead of Japan. Perhaps some Denso aftermarket parts are made outside Japan to keep costs lower. Regardless, the part and packaging looked legit and the product matched the design and materials of the OE Suzuki part made by Denso.

The fit of the new part was even better than the original part as perhaps the O-ring of the old one had shrunk over time. This would perhaps explain the MAF issues with moisture just about every time I washed my engine, even if the sensor itself was not directly covered with water. The new sensor had a much better seal onto the intake tube. I also used new and bigger screws for the sensor given the plastic base for the screws stripped out over time.

After installation, I took a quick test drive to the local supermarket and the car ran perfectly. The part appears to be compatible with no CELs or odd idle. After getting home, I disconnected the battery and cleaned the throttle body, which I hadn't done in over three years. I'm hoping the cleaning and fuel trim reset with the new MAF sensor will boost my fuel efficiency. I do mostly short drives in the city these days and current readings on even the display aren't above 20 MPG. I'm hoping this will improve given EPA estimates are 20 city for the manual Kizashi Sport GTS.

I'll update of any issues but it appears that the Denso aftermarket MAF Sensor #197-6160 is compatible with the Kizashi. It cost me $85 on Amazon versus the $480 for the OE Suzuki part on Megazip.net. It's assuring that Denso made both of these parts.
I'm hoping this might help some others save money in replacing their MAF Sensor as I'm sure more are bound to fail as our cars get higher in mileage and age.


Original part:

Denso aftermarket:

[n8dogg]

Thanks for the update!

[BatNasko]

After disconnecting the battery, did you completely remove the throttle and clean it? Then do you need adaptation with a program?

[KuroNekko]

After disconnecting the battery, did you completely remove the throttle and clean it? Then do you need adaptation with a program?

I don't completely remove the throttle body when I clean it because it appears there is a coolant hose that runs through the throttle body, probably to keep it from freezing up in very cold weather. While it can be easily removed, I rather not deal with coolant leakage and introducing air into the cooling system. The throttle body can actually be serviced on both the front and back with the coolant hoses attached.

The throttle body does not need programming. I once made the mistake of not disconnecting the battery before cleaning the TB and the vehicle idle was irregular afterwards. I disconnected the battery for a while which resolved the issue. This time around, I disconnected the battery before TB cleaning and everything has been running perfectly since.

As for cleaning, I used a carb and throttle body cleaner which works a lot like brake cleaner but might be less harsh. I used a microfiber towel for most of the cleaning but for the ring of deposits where the closed TB blade contacts the housing, I used a plastic scraper after soaking with cleaner. It takes some effort but you can get it clean. I would say completely removing the TB would be easier for cleaning but it's not necessary.

I took some related photos when I removed it so I'll post them below. All photos were taken before cleaning.

Front of TB:

Rear of TB:

[BatNasko]

That's great, no need to remove the whole body, I'll just disconnect the battery. In fact, my Kizashi is LPG, and that suggests there should be no lpg contamination. Anyway, when I have time I'll see how I'm doing.