Macan MAF Sensor Nightmare: Black Smoke & Stalling Issues

Hey there, I had very similar issues with my 2016 Porsche Cayenne last year. After investigation, it turned out the previous mechanic had accidentally damaged the cable harness while doing routine maintenance. The symptoms were almost identical, rough running, power loss, and black smoke. The damaged wiring was affecting multiple sensors, including the MAF, which caused those exact symptoms you're describing. Took it to a certified Porsche workshop, and they found several wires had been pinched and partially stripped. It wasn't just a simple MAF sensor issue but rather a wiring problem that was affecting multiple systems. They had to replace part of the harness and recalibrate the sensors. It was definitely a serious job that required specialist knowledge. Based on your symptoms and my experience, I'd strongly recommend getting it checked at a Porsche certified workshop rather than a general mechanic. They'll have the right diagnostic tools and expertise to properly identify if it's a sensor issue or something more complex with the wiring. Hope this helps with your decision!

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm going through. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the harness replacement and recalibration? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the repair, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Really appreciate your help on this one! The more info I can get before heading to the dealer, the better prepared I'll be.

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! The repair worked out perfectly, they fixed the damaged cable harness, and it only set me back 95€, which wasn't as bad as I'd initially feared. The faulty air mass sensor reading was definitely caused by that pinched wiring, just as I suspected. Since getting it fixed at the Porsche workshop, my Cayenne's been running like a dream, no more black smoke, rough idling, or power issues. It's been about a year now, and I haven't had a single problem pop up. Honestly, it feels like a completely different car! Best decision I made was taking it to the certified Porsche guys rather than trying to save a few bucks at a regular mechanic. They knew exactly what they were looking for and fixed it right the first time. Hope this helps give you a better idea of what you might be looking at cost-wise. Trust me, it's worth getting it sorted properly at a specialist! Let me know how it goes when you get yours checked out!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! Just got back from the Porsche workshop today, and you were spot on! Turned out I had almost the exact same issue, damaged wiring harness from my last mechanic visit. They found where the wires were pinched and fixed everything up. Cost me a bit more than yours though, came to about 120 €, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The car's running perfectly now, no more black smoke, stalling, or power issues. It's like driving a new car again! Really glad I followed your advice about going to the certified workshop instead of trying another regular mechanic. They diagnosed it within an hour and had it fixed the same day. Should've done this from the start instead of worrying about the mass airflow sensor! Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the right decision. Time to enjoy my Macan the way it's meant to be driven! Take care!