Good Evening everyone,
I've had my corolla for about 3 years now, but this code p0101 comes on at least once or twice a year. Each fix allows the car to remove the code for a period of time before coming back, but I still haven't been able to diagnose the exact problem.
1st Occurrence - Replaced the MAF sensor and changed the air filter (Fixed for about 8 months)
2nd Occurrence - Replaced the MAF sensor (Fixed for about 9 months)
3rd Occurrence - Cleaned the throttle body (Fixed for about a year)
4th Occurrence (Present one) - Haven't touched it yet, but I pulled the freeze frame of when the code occurred.
I still have all the old parts from every time I've changed it.
Also for reference, the mass air flow rate at idle is ~1.62g/s, the engine is a 1.8L. If you need any more data, I can pull it up.
Have you check for any vacuum leak? Did you use OEM MAF sensor?
All sensors are OEM (Denso) and I don't have a smoke machine to test for a vacuum leak. I would think that a vacuum leak would cause the car to run weirdly, but it operates fine.
How you tried simply cleaning the maf?
I usually clean the maf and TB at the same time. If it has been very long, change the air filter as well.
I can, but does it need to be cleaned every year? Something just doesn't add up.
You did the work right?
Open it up and see if the TB looks nasty. I would try cleaning/fixing one thing at a time to see if you can narrow it down.
I would also just look at the connector to the maf for damage, and the whole are intake to see if there is a leak, allowing nasty air to get in.
Like Yaser said, I would check for vacuum leaks, you can get a brake bleeder and vacuum pump test tuner kit from amazon for about $20. That helped me to locate a vacuum leak in my old f-150 very quick. $5 fix.
Ok, I'll try that and let you know.
Your car may get addicted, be careful.