Can't get my 986 to idle, starts up then stalls out.

[ARTbyTROY]

I have a '99 boxster 2.5L, manual, 98,000 miles and after driving it home with no problems and parking it, now when I turn the key it cranks over like it's starting up but it will not idle and quickly dies. I can start it and feather the gas pedal to keep it running but it doesn't sound quite right and as soon as I let off the pedal it stalls. If I try restarting it again right after it stalls it then has a harder time starting and if I go for a third try after stalling out the second time it does nothing.

I hooked it up to an OBDII reader and it gives this error code "P0102 MAF or VAF A circuit low input". I looked around on the web and whenever I saw posts concerning the mass air flow sensor no one mentioned their cars not being able to idle... I did see that sometimes the MAF error code is generated when something else might be wrong.

Even though I read several posts where people drove around without the MAF sensor attached I still removed and visually inspected it (it wasn't even dusty).

Tomorrow I plan to check the idle control valve, if that isn't it then I have no idea what to try next. I am having a hard time finding anyone else that has posted a problem online like the one I have and I don't want to be buying unnecessary replacement parts "willy nilly" to get to what's wrong, any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.

[Rockster]

try cleaning your MAF.

[thstone]

Clean or replace MAF.

[Greg986]

I had a similar condition this past winter.
Long story.. I believe a rat chewed the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) wire.
In addition to cleaning MAF sensor, I soldered two ends of wire; 'cleared problem.
When cleaning MAF sensor, check wiring near throttle position sensor...
Good luck..

[randy_k]

Just a thought. It may not be the problem, But???
Randy

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/boxster-cayman-forum/598662-hot-start-problem-99-boxster.html