Apparently it can be done - info and links below:-

It seems that as a MAF ages its output curve remains the same as a new one, but it drops down in voltage. When it is so out of spec that there is a serious problem, its reported as a fault by the ECU (or not!) and costs a lot to replace. They don't last for ever.

As I'm running an oiled K&N filter I often worry about re-oiling it excessively after cleaning and ultimately degrading or destroying the MAF. As it's an expensive bit of kit to replace unless failing, my limited understanding is that MAFs can go out of spec, under-reporting true airflow and costing economy and performance.

Below is a link to a simple circuit (parts cost me locally about 10 quid total) that you can solder up to simply boost the reported voltage, bringing a tired or even failed MAF back to spec, and hopefully saving yourself a lot of money. I want to make one up just for the heck of it, just in case ...

http://www.geocities.com/tech4tdi/pages/maf_booster.html

all you could ever wish to know about MAFs here: Tech4TDI - TDI technical information

Commercially-produced MAF boosters do exist (THE MAF AMP PROJECT Some nice reports of using them on that page...

In theory, you could tune your MAF to optimal spec, by data logging your MAF and adjusting to suit. The commercial link above, just gets you to turn up the potentiometer until you get no better performance...

Just wanted to share this interesting find with my mates out there. Be great to hear what some of the gifted professionals that are on Brisk have to say about this all....

Cheers

Bas

A well of usefull information Baz

All the MAF-related info you could want as a pdf (?), including adapting a bosch MAF to a Piersburg-equipped car and vice-versa, etc etc.

Mass_Air_Flowsensor.pdf

After taking two hours to make up my own, and finding out that the wallie in the shop gave me the wrong transistors, I got a mate to make this up. He did a far neater but larger effort. Should easily fit into a small project box that I have hanging about...

Hope to do some testing soon. Car has started to run a lot stronger after a MAF clean with electronics cleaner, after a few days of no change...