Paul's Travel Pictures

Chevrolet Malibu MAF Sensor Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the mass air flow sensor in a 9th generation 2016 to 2023 GM Chevy Malibu 1.5L I4.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-001
2020 Malibu LT 1.5L I4
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-002
Air Filter Box - Left Side
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-003
MAF Sensor Location
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the ninth generation 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 GM Chevrolet Malibu with the Ecotec LFV 1.5L turbocharged I4 engine in checking, cleaning or changing the MAF (mass air flow) sensor.

(The procedure should be the same or very similar for the 2.0L and 1.8L engines.)

The 9th generation Malibu was supposed to undergo a "facelift" in 2022 or 2023 and the refreshed vehicle may have continued being produced into the 2024 and 2025 model years but it will now apparently be discontinued after the 2023 model year.

Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Holden such as the Impala, Corvette, Bolt, Sonic, Spark, Express, Trax, TrailBlazer, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado, Cruze, Volt, Camaro, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, LaCrosse, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CT4, CT5, CT6 and Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few of the symptoms of a dirty, failing or faulty MAF sensor include hard starting, rough idling, hesitating, surging, poor acceleration, hiccups, low fuel economy (less MPG), stalling, a loss of power and possibly misfiring. You may also see a CEL / SES (check engine light / service engine soon warning) on the gauge cluster. An OBDII scanner may reveal a MAF sensor related DTC (diagnostic trouble code) such as P0100, P0101, P0102, P0103 or P0104.

The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) mass air flow sensor is part number ACDelco 23366103 (also known as part number AFH70M-124 9Z11 HALF 23366103).

A compatible replacement aftermarket MAF sensor is the Hitachi MAF0129.

The only tool needed to remove and replace the sensor is a Torx T20 star bit screwdriver.

The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the left (passenger) side of the engine bay.

The mass air flow sensor is located on the right side of the air intake tube in between the air filter box and the rubber air intake hose.



 

2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-004
Slide Out Red Lock Tab
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-005
Push In Black Release Tab
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-006
Slide Off Power Plug
Gently slide out the red locking tab on the electrical connector away from the air intake tube.

Then push down the black release button and pull the power plug straight off the old sensor.

2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-007
Two Torx Screws
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-008
Loosen Counterclockwise
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-009
Loosen Second Screw
Loosen the two screws by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with the Torx T-20 star bit screwdriver.

Be careful to not let the screws fall down into the engine bay where they might become lost.

2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-010
Spin Out By Hand
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-011
Remove 2nd Screw
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-012
Two Screws Removed
Spin out the two screws the last few turns with your fingers to prevent them from falling down into the engine bay.

Set the two screws aside in a safe place.

2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-013
Slide Out Old MAF
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-014
Inspect Old MAF Sensor
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-015
HALF 23366103
Carefully slide the old MAF sensor straight out of the air intake tube.

If you'd like to try cleaning the old sensor before purchasing a new one, gently spray some Mass Air Flow Cleaner spray on to the sensor's wire.

Avoid getting the cleaning spray on the electrical contacts.

2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-016
Part # AFH70M-124
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-017
Air Intake Tube MAF Slot
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-018
Line Up New Sensor
Allow the cleaning spray on the old sensor to air dry before re-installing it.

Do NOT use compressed air or forcibly shake the sensor to dry it since it could be damaged.

Orientate the new or cleaned sensor with the metal plate facing down and the black plastic side facing up towards you.

2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-019
Install New Sensor
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-020
Replace Two Screws
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-021
Tighten Screws Clockwise
Carefully slide the new sensor straight into the air intake tube.

Spin in the two screws a few turns in the clockwise direction with your fingers to prevent them from falling down and becoming lost.

Tighten the two screws by turning them in the clockwise direction with the Torx T20 screwdriver until they are snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the two screws to prevent from cracking the plastic air intake tube.

2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-022
Line Up Connector
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-023
Push On Power Plug
2016-2023-Chevrolet-Malibu-MAF-Sensor-Replacement-Guide-024
Slide In Red Lock Tab
Push the electrical connector straight on to the base of the new MAF sensor.

You should hear or feel the power plug "click" securely into place.

Slide the red locking tab in towards the sensor to secure the connector in place.

If you have an OBD2 scan tool, check for any MAF related diagnostic trouble codes and clear them.

Start the engine and listen closely for any strange sounds. Take the car for a short test drive to see if the new MAF sensor resolved your drivability issues.

Please check out all of the 2016-2023 GM Chevrolet Malibu DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)



 

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info