2001 Chevy Blazer mass air flow sensor

The code inidicated mass air flow sensor. It was replaced. SUV continued to surge. Dealership then discovered a wire problem. It as insulated so it was not apparent as being a problem. Repaired or connected the wire. Still continued to surge. So, they were hopeful that they had discovered the problem. Had something to do with the alternator sending a false message causing problem with mass air flow sensor. Something to do with the combustion level? Sorry, it got too technical for me to understand. Anyway dealership replaced alternator. Unfortunatley, the problem was worse than ever. I think they are scratching their heads about now. Do you have any insights?

Thaniks - Charlie from Longview, WA

updated 11/5/08
Thank you so much for responding. The latest update from the Bud Clary GM dealership is that they have now installed a catalytic converter telling me that with all the surging, it has caused a problem with the converter. Friday they ordered the part. Installed it on Monday. Test drove it for about 10 miles, but wanted to keep it yet another night. They wanted to test drive it for a distance greater than 10 miles.

The check engine light has been coming on - on/off for about 2 months. Bill, at the dealership suggested that I continue driving it. It was the mass air flow sensor. But he said I could drive it. When the check engine light starts to flash, then I would need to replace it.

Well, when I had to pull off the road on in Portland, OR, 10/25, the check engine light never came on. Found a place to check out my problem Precison Auto Time. They determined the problem was the mass air flow sensor. They replaced it with a Nappa part ( I determined later that it was a refurbished part).

After this repair, we drove less than 10 miles and the problem was even worst. It was a Friday evening. Decided to have it towed back home to Longview, WA, to the dealership. Saturday morning they call me and tell me that the mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced. We suspected that the Nappa part was faulty.

Monday, 10/27, I'm off to a 100th birthday party. Twenty minutes into the my trip, the Check Engine light comes on. So, yes, in answer to your question, the light came on at this point.

The udpate on my SUV is that they have now installed a catalytic converter. Was told that with all the surging, this part now needed to be replaced. The part was ordered on Friday, 10/31. Installed on Monday. They test drove it for 10 miles, but wanted to keep my SUV yet another night because they wanted to test drive it again taking it out for more than a 10-mile test run.

Have to admit that I am a bit skeptical about what is happening. I hope they are not "grasping at straws" trying to fix my vehicle.

I will doublecheck with them to see if what the code read each time they worked on it.

Thank you~~Charlie