Did you try cleaning off the mass air flow sensor'* wire element. If it'* dirty the computer thinks the engine isn't getting much air and it will lean out the gas flow causing a pinging problem.

No I have not yet tried that. In fact I have never had that off, and I don't even know what it looks like on the inside. Question: is there a replaceable gasket under the MAF?

No, there'* a o-ring that does not need to be replaced. The MAF sensor is mounted on the front side of the TB and is fastened with three screws.

No gasket. Just a couple phillips head screws and a connector.

As far as the Actron is concerned, in order to diagnose a problem like yours, you really need the factory service manuals to go along with it. The troubleshooting guides are fantastic, consice, step-by-step procedures. You'll have a nice scantool, but you need to know how to REALLY use it with your particular car/engine.

I wanted to clarify the pinging that I am hearing.

It'* almost always when the TC is locked up.

I usually hear it at about 35 to 40 mph on a level spot. If I have been at that speed for a while and then lightly tap the gas, I will hear it. If I continue light pressure on the gas, the pinging will generally reduce in volume after maybe 2 to 3 seconds, almost like something tries to compensate. (O2 sensor ??????) I don't think the knock sensor has anything to do with that, it should compensate right away. When I finally get my scanner I will be able to tell if I am at full KR when I hear it.

I also hear pinging once in a while right when the TC locks up.

I had the same pinging problem with my car a few yesrs ago. I took it to the dealer and several good mechanics and spent several hundred dollars to have it fix. None of them were able to fix the problem. A friend of mine who works on cars for a side job suggested cleaning the MAF sensor. For the price of a Q-tip and some rubbing alcohol I fixed the problem.

But I thought the car used the O2 sensor to adjust the A/F ratio? All these sensors and it still isn't right. I will eventually try your MAF fix, but I want to wait till I have my scanner so I can get some before and after data.

My dad is having the same problem in his 96 Park Ave. I am very interested in the outcome of this. He thinks his wires have something to do with it. I changed his plugs last summer with the NGK (Delcos) and it still does it.

jay

A donation of a couple hundred dollars will hasten the outcome of this repair. I take PayPal.

Just kidding !!

But it'* not his wires.

There is a KICK *** article in this months GMHTP that explains what a MAF does. The previous issue had a great article on O2 sensors.

The MAF measures the mass of the air going into the engine and tells the ECM the proper amount of gas for the injectors to fire in. The ECM also uses other sensors within the engine to determine what the EXACT right measurement of fuel should be, if one thing is off, it all goes to hell.

jay