Sometimes, when i start the engine, it will turn over, but wont fire. Then I get a "loose Connection" error message.

It is intermittent, as sometimes it will start, but it used to fire within a second of turning over, now thengine will crank over for about 3 seconds before it starts?

Any ideas?

Im thinking that it is either the MAF sensor, or possibly the crank sensor (missus drove over a pavement the other day and possibly knocked it?)

I tried disconnecting the MAF sensor thinking that the engine wouldnt start and i might get the error message, but the engine DID start, and rev? much to my amazement. Why have a MAF sensor if the engine works without it?

Right. i had new coils of nick about a year ago, so dont think its them. I checked my plugs, and found one knackered plug (Outside the engine), the ceramic had cracked, and centre electrode had sheared? So i bought and fitted 5 new plugs, they made a big difference to the idling and running, but the problem is still there intermittently?

Any more ideas? could it be the crank sensor?

Ive got yellow plastic clips to hold the connectors on, which ive checked, and seem ok. I'm going to go out and check the crank sensor now. If i can find it

Ok! I couldnt find the crank sensor without stripping back all the plastic panels, so i checked my earlier gut feelings i had about the MAF sensor. I took it out, and the Probes were black and dusty. I cleaned them out with a cotton bud, and penetrating spray.

Seems to have done the job as it is working well at the moment, no more warnings as yet. But I did notice that any slight adjustment to the angle position of the MAF sensor makes quite a big difference to the way the engine runs and idles.

Firstly i put it in the hose sqaure, but it was quite jumpy when accelarating, so i turned it a few dgrees and it made the accelaration much smother.

I still dont understand why the engine will start if the MAF sensor is disconnected?