MAF Sensor 72.99$ (Reman) AutoZone

Here is a small documentation of my adventures with my MAF sensor.

A month ago the P0171 and P0174 started to come up under the Check Engine Light, and as a result Lean Left and Right Bank.

After reading numerous posts on here it looked like it was the MAF sensor.

Symptoms:
1.Cold Starts, car would hesitate and have a very uneven idle, it sounded like it had some sort of aggressive cam and it was lumping almost sputtering.
2.When warm sometimes it would hesitate on acceleration, or power would just come in erratically.
3.Car would go into a default mode and run smooth after its been warmed up. As soon as I reset the CEL the idle problems return and same game all over.

Finally Decided to look for a new MAF sensor and I had a few options.
1. Dealer - asked too much money for one... something on the lines of 240$.
2. Rockauto - 168$ + S&H Comes to under 180$
3. Autozone - 72.99$ + TAX (But there is a catch-read further)

Rockauto Catalog shoing 1997 and 2001 MAF Sensors.


Saturn L-Series MAF Sensor


Rockauto Checkout page...showing Saturn and Catera MAF sensors at checkout.


Here is AUTOZONE... same Saturn 2004-2005 MAF for 3.0L V6 (Reman)
The Catch is you need to search for those model years Saturns with the 3.0L V6 either in Sedan or Wagon versions and the sensor is Remanufactured...which shouldn't bother you because it has 2yr warranty.



MAF Sensors do not exist in their listings for the Cadillac Catera.
I dug on the internet for around 6-8hrs total before I found this out.
Turns out the Saturn L-Series carreis the same L81 Engine as the one in the Catera so as a result the MAF sensor is the same.

Here are some pictures of it.
(NOTE: MAF Sensor is right by the air box.)


LOOK FAMILIAR???


Plased an order, and within 24hrs the part was at the local store...
Got it about 30min ago, came home, took pictures, installed it.
Took me 3min to swap them out.
CEL Went away immediately.

Pictures of the sensors to proove to you that they are one and the same!...







Installed





With all this said, I hope this saves someone a bunch of money so that they may spend on other parts or simply more fun things!.

GOOD LUCK