Toyota Repair: p0171 in 2000 mr2 spyder, mass air flow meter, mass air flow

Question
Ted, I hope you can help.  Check engine light started coming on about a month ago, I checked the gas cap, reset the light(by pulling the fuse) about three times with it appearing again with a week or so. OBD reading of course showed the lean fuel condition,  the sevice repair person reset it with the OBD and it came on a couple of days later, so I decided to let it stay on. then last sunday I started the car up and the light was off, it stay off for about a hour or so and then it came back on, it went off yesterday and is still off, so now it seems it will be going off and on. Can you help me.  I saw some of your answers saying that 02 sensors don't cause P0171 codes, I know about MAF and maybe cleaning it, but before I get that done any suggestions on what is going on.  Your help will be gratefully appreciated.   


Gwen G
Forestville, MD  

Answer
Try removing the mass air flow meter and clean it on the inside with some electronic cleaner, don't use anything else, spray it into the opening to clean the platinum sensing wires, look at the with a flashlight they should look like bright aluminum, at the same time replace the air filter, this should take care of it.