Nissan Repair: 2001 Nissan Sentra Mass Air Flow Sensor, mass air flow sensor, mass air flow

Question
My 2001 Nissan Sentra had no power and was running rough.  I replaces the Mass Air Flow Sensor and once and a while when you caranked it would cut off.  You crank it a second time and it does fine.  Then it when to running rough again and i unplugged the Mass Air Flow Sensor then plugged it back up and it is doing fine.  I bought an aftermarket Mass Air Flow Sensor and it said on the box to reprogram the ECM or ECU. How do you do this and is it the cause of my problem?
David

Answer
David,

The Sentra is known to blow mass airflow sensors.  If you bought an aftermarket sensor and it says to reprogram the computer you are pretty much out of luck.  If it were me I would read the instructions again as it probably means that you have to disconnect the battery for five minutes and let the computer learn the new mass airflow sensor.  There is a company out in Los Angeles that programs the computer but they would need to know what the parameters are for the mass airflow sensor.  I do not think there is a need for the programming as the computer should learn the new unit.