MAP Sensor Replacement on 2003-2007 Accord
If you’re battling a P0105, P0106, P0107, P0108 or P0109 code, it may well be the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor that has gone south and would need a replacement. Of course you would want to rule out poor wiring connections first and other differential diagnosis for the codes. The MAP sensor measures the level of vacuum in the intake manifold. This measured vacuum is used by the car’s computer to calculate engine load and also control the volume of air for the tight air-fuel mix which is kept at 14.7 to 1 respectively for optimum MPGs. Not all vehicles feature a MAP sensor, some makes use of a mass air flow (MAF) sensor instead, while others feature both sensors; with the MAP being sort of a backup in case the MAF failed.
A poorly functioning/bad MAP sensor may affect fuel economy, produce rough idling and hurt overall performance. In my case, I was troubleshooting a rich condition on my 2003 Honda Accord and decided give the MAP sensor a good clean since I had no check engine light or pending codes. Live readings for the MAP also didn’t look off. Guess I’m doing this just to satisfy my conscience. 🙁
Materials:
- Philips screwdriver
- Flat-tip screwdriver
- 10mm size wrench
Steps:
1. Find the location of the MAP sensor: The sensor is usually located on the intake manifold. On the 2003 Accord LX, the sensor has a white & blue sticker and is found just after the throttle body. It does have MAP sensor written on it.
Location of the MAP sensor on the 2003 Accord LX
2. Detach the connector for the MAP sensor: Depress the tab to remove the connector.
Removing the electrical connector to the MAP sensor
3. Remove obstructing mounting brackets: Unscrew the 10mm bolt mounting the battery positive cable to the intake manifold. Also remove the 10mm bolt mounting the vacuum line to the intake manifold.
Removing the bracket holding the +ve battery cable to the intake manifold
Removing the bracket for the vacuum line to the intake manifold manifold
You may actually be able to pull off this DIY without taking my step 2, but I’ve learnt in my DIY journey to rather create ample work space than work in tight spaces. You’re less likely to make mistakes this way.
4. Unscrew the single MAP sensor screw: A Philips screwdriver would be required for this, however like I found out, the screw was banged on pretty hard and simply stripped as I tried with the Philips screwdriver.
If this happens to you, there’s a simple trick to repair the screw head; use a saw to cut a groove for a flat-tip screwdriver on the stripped screw head.
Cutting a groove for a flat-tip screwdriver on the stripped screw
Groove created on stripped screw head
Unscrewing the stripped MAP sensor screw
Once the screw is out, wiggle the sensor to get it out. You can now go ahead to install the new one, following reverse steps.
Cleaning the MAP sensors
For me, I embarked on this to see if the sensor was dirty and thus contributing to the rich condition I was having. In the end the sensor was squeaky clean on inspection. I did give it a bath with electronic cleaner just to satisfy my conscience. NB: If you do try to clean your MAP sensor, do not use carb cleaner, its too harsh and may ruin the sensor and the plastic housing. Hope you found this useful!
Hello, I have a 2005 Honda Accord I have a p0108 code and have ordered a new map sensor, However while looking at the map sensor in my vehicle as is, the 10mm headed bolt is missing, I’m curious as to if you might know the size of it, i’ve searched for hours and haven’t been able to find the size. And secondly if the reason my code popped up was because of that bolt being missing. Thank You.
Hi and thanks a lot for reading this post.
From the dealer site (hondapartscheap.com) the size for my vehicle is stated as 5×20. If in the US, you can order from there. Its inexpensive ($0.63). Here’s the link to mine. Change to your exact vehicle since you say, yours is a 10mm bolt. https://www.hondapartscheap.com/oem-parts/honda-screw-washer-5×20
It is possible that a missing screw/bolt could cause a poor electrical connection at the connector thus leading to the code. Is the MAP sensor loose without the bolt? With any code you should rule out poor connection anyway so it doesn’t hurt to start with the bolt first.
Hello, thank you for the speedy response. And I should have specified I’m talking about the 10mm bolt holding the positive battery cable to the intake manifold. I was told that it also could potentially act as the grounding wire. I’m not very mechanical and this is all very much so a new learning process for me.
Sorry for the late reply, got carried away with festivities. 🙂
The car is negatively grounded, so I don’t believe the idea of grounding through that bolt holds water. However, it is possible that the missing bolt could affect the quality of the connection of the connector to the MAP sensor or lead to other components interfering with the electrical signals to the MAP. It may also just be that the MAP is bad. In the spirit of being frugal, it’s logical to try to rule a poor connection before going for a new sensor. Not sure what your comfort level is with DIY, assuming you know how to use a multimeter, you could test the sensor.
Our 2007 Honda accord with 200,000 miles threw a Pxxxx code for the exhaust sensor. I replaced the map sensor. When I started the car the idle was extremely rough and almost stalled. I tried giving it gas and it would die. I put the old sensor back and it’s running fine again. The code comes and goes.
Funny you stripped the screw, so did I. Went with needle nose fliers
Can you please locate the map sensor of Honda Accord 2012 sedan EX v4. birhma@gmail.com
Hi Bertha,
The MAP sensor is usually located on the intake manifold. Visit the link below, its part number 7
http://www.hondapartscheap.com/auto-parts/2012/honda/accord-sedan/ex-trim/5-speed-automatic-engine/engine-cat/intake-manifold-l4-scat
What are the results? Was it helpful in resolving the rich condition.
Thanks Aninta. It didn’t make a change to the rich condition.
LTFT ranges from -5.5% to -7.8% before and after. Since this is less than 10% it’s actually permissible but I’m just troubleshooting to see if I can get it down to less than +or-5%
I really didn’t expect a change since my MAP readings weren’t out of spec. Just satisfied my conscience by ticking this box and knowing it’s not MAP related. Need to check my fuel pressure readings!
Thanks for the post. I’m assuming by rich condition you meant the car threw off a p0172 code. Were you able to identify the cause and resolve it?. Being having thesame issue for which i replaced o2 sensors, plugs, fuel injectors, complete fuel pump and housing, catalytic converter, coolant temperature sensor but still to no avail.