Any update Mark?

Thanks for all of the responses. Haven't gotten to the MAF yet. Life hasn't given me ample opportunity yet. One question - would you recommend I go straight to buying a new one, or would it be worth it to try cleaning it first?

You can always just try cleaning first, though I'd go ahead and get the new one, try cleaning old one, and if that doesn't work, replace it. If it does work, it doesn't hurt to have a backup for when it stops working, because, well, judging from your symptoms it's on its last leg if it hasn't died altogether.

So, I've cleaned the IAC and MAF and it has definitely helped. The car is driving much better, but it is still throwing a code (I'm not sure which one, or ones, as I haven't gotten back to Auto Zone). As you guys have all advised, it seems time that I bite the bullet and replace the MAF.

I'm wondering now, does anybody know either a brand to buy, or a site to buy it from?

I checked on rockauto.com and they have a few choices:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b28/sykeo56/Picture2-6.png
Spending $507 for the original part seems like a bit more than I can afford right now, but I don't know what would be a reliable brand or a good price.

Thanks again, everybody!

You can get the actual MAF sensor (OEM) from Gspec.com. You'll have to call him though but you don't need the housing, you just need the sensor itself-you can reuse the housing.

I think the sensor itself is like $100 thru Gspec.

Look for one on car-part.com. They call it an 'air flow meter.' You can use one from a 00-01 SE Sentra or 00-01 3.0L Maxima. Should be able to find one for less than $100.00. Good luck.

or check the classifieds section on Maxima.org for the 2000-2001 Maxima MAF, last I remembered there were a few for sale. As I said mine is from the Maxima and it's been working out fine.

Its like $210 shipped from Justin @ Scottsdale Infiniti

So I finally got around to swapping the MAF. *Good and bad. *More advice would be appreciated.

When I installed the new MAF and started the car the engine was warm from when it was running before I swapped it. *The car ran pretty well. *It was still sluggish at the bottom of first gear, but once I hit 3k RPM it pulled like the day we bought it. *Above 3k RPM it drove great.

The next morning, however, when I started it from cold, it went to hell. *The engine wouldn't rev. *It idled low, then sputtered to a stall when I touched the gas. *I started it back up, and there was still no power at all. *After letting it warm up for about three minutes, the car came back like it was last night. *It drives fine above 3k RPM. *Below that point, it still lacks power.

Check engine light is still on. *If I remember correctly it's throwing two codes, both pertaining to the MAF.

What next? *Could the new MAF be faulty? *Inspection is this month, I'm running low on time!

do you know the exact codes that are on there?

Codes:

100
This code had several brands listed, none of which were Nissan. All of them, however, had to do with failed/faulty/otherwise broken MAF. The next code had a specific listing for Nissan.

171
Definition:
BBFuel system lean bank 1
Probable cause
>BB1. - Low fuel pressure
>BB2. - Blocked injector(s)
>BB3. - Large vacuum leak
>BB4. - MAF sensor fault

The MAF should be fine. Have you heard of Sea Foam? You can get it at your local auto parts store.

1. MAKE CERTAIN you don't have a vacuum leak, no matter what else you do if you have a leak you'll continue to have this problem
2. Replace the fuel pressure regulator
3. Replace the IACV
4. Use some electrical parts cleaner (aerosol can) on the MAF just to make sure the sensor isn't dirty (and make sure you're putting the MAF on in the right direction, I know this is obvious but just covering all possibilities here)
5. Sea Foam the sh!t out of your car, it works wonders (and get video of this, it's pretty awesome) and make sure you follow the directions
6. Change your oil - must be done if you use the Sea Foam
7. Change spark plugs - also due to Sea Foam
8. Go to the gas station and fill up your tank
9. Wash and Wax
10. Enjoy the re-birth of the Sentra! :)

Might be a little overkill but I'd be genuinely shocked if your still having an issue if you do everything listed above.

The MAF should be fine. Have you heard of Sea Foam? You can get it at your local auto parts store.

1. MAKE CERTAIN you don't have a vacuum leak, no matter what else you do if you have a leak you'll continue to have this problem
2. Replace the fuel pressure regulator
3. Replace the IACV
4. Use some electrical parts cleaner on the MAF just to make sure the sensor isn't dirty (and make sure you're putting the MAF on in the right direction, I know this is obvious but just covering all possibilities here)
5. Sea Foam the sh!t out of your car, it works wonders (and get video of this, it's pretty awesome) and make sure you follow the directions
6. Change your oil - must be done if you use the Sea Foam
7. Go to the gas station and put some fuel injector cleaner and fill up your tank
8. Enjoy the re-birth of the Sentra! :)

Might be a little overkill but I'd be genuinely shocked if your still having an issue if you do everything listed above.

fixed :biggthump

Thanks, lol. I forgot about the spark plugs, should change those also.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

All of the above is good but DON'T USE INJECTOR CLEANER! I've read that Nissan injectors have been designed as self-cleaning since the mid-80s and that using the gas station additives will eat away at them, all kinds of bad juju. Only clean them manually. But I back everything else stated. :)

Good to know!! Thanks :) Edited the list, lol

THE SENTRA IS FIXED!

Sorry so much time has passed since the last update. I posted about when we got the new MAF and the problems we had. Since it ended up worse than with the old MAF we contacted the company we got it from. They had us send back the brand new one they sent us, and they sent us another brand new replacement. We installed it and the car ran great. A few hours later, and after a few miles of driving, the check engine light went off!

Over the next few days, the car was still just a tad shaky when first started from cold. It would smooth out over the course of about two minutes though. Since then, the car has been running perfectly. It feels great.

I really cannot thank all of you enough. I really appreciate everybody's input.

Great to hear! Hope it continues to run that way!