Buy Mitsubishi 3000GT Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensors

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Quick Summary

The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor-sometimes called an intake‑pressure, baro‑, or boost sensor-tells the engine computer how much air is inside the intake on every Mitsubishi 3000GT (1991‑1999). When it fails, fuel economy drops, power stumbles, and the "check‑engine" light flashes codes like P0105 or P0108. A working sensor reads about 1 volt at idle and nearly 5 volts at wide‑open throttle, and upgrading to a "3‑bar" unit lets turbo owners safely run higher boost.

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Part Basics

• The MAP sensor sits on top of the 3000GT's intake plenum, close to the throttle body, and bolts in with two screws  (3sgto.org).
• It feeds live pressure data to the ECU so the engine can match fuel and spark to real‑time load  (Wikipedia).
• Stock 3000GT sensors read up to one bar (atmospheric pressure). Turbo drivers often swap in higher‑range 3‑bar sensors for more boost headroom  (3sgto.org).

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Vehicle Fitment & Specs

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• The sensor also fits the mechanically twin Dodge Stealth of the same years.
• Common Mitsubishi part numbers include MD‑series for stock and 1865A052 for EVO‑style 3‑bar swaps .

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How It Works

1. A 5‑volt reference signal enters the sensor.
2. A silicon diaphragm flexes with pressure changes and alters resistance.
3. The sensor sends 0.5-5 V back to the ECU, which converts it to kPa (pressure) and calculates air density for fueling and ignition  (Delphiautoparts).
4. At key‑on (engine off) the reading acts as a barometric sensor, helping altitude compensation  (AA1Car).

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Failure Symptoms

• Rough idle or stalling  (Delphiautoparts)
• Poor fuel mileage or rich exhaust smell  (AA1Car)
• Hesitation on acceleration or turbo "cut‑out"  (Delphiautoparts)
• Check‑engine light with DTC P0105‑P0108  (OBD-Codes.com, OBD-Codes.com)

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Testing Steps

1. Back‑probe the signal wire; you should see ~1 V at warm idle and 4.5‑5 V at wide‑open throttle  (AA1Car).
2. With engine off, apply 10 inHg (34 kPa) vacuum using a hand pump-voltage must drop at least 1.5 V instantly  (NAXJA Forums).
3. Compare key‑on MAP voltage to local barometric pressure; a mismatch over 0.5 V points to sensor or vacuum‑line faults  (OBD-Codes.com).

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Installation Guide

1. Disconnect battery to clear stored energy.
2. Unplug the three‑pin connector and remove the two screws holding the sensor.
3. Inspect the O‑ring; replace if cracked.
4. Seat the new sensor, torque screws hand‑tight (about 3 Nm), and reconnect the plug.
5. Start the car and verify idle MAP voltage between 0.5‑1.5 V (non‑turbo) or 2‑2.5 V (turbo)  (Delphiautoparts).

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Care Tips

• Keep vacuum hoses tight and free of oil to prevent false readings  (AA1Car).
• Fix intake leaks quickly-speed‑density systems rely on accurate pressure data .
• Clean electrical contacts with dielectric grease during tune‑ups.

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Performance Upgrades

• Switching to a 3‑bar (or higher) sensor allows the ECU or standalone to read up to ~30 psi of boost for big‑turbo VR‑4 builds  (3sgto.org).
• Speed‑density tuning (MAP + IAT instead of a MAF) removes airflow bottlenecks and can sharpen throttle response  (NAPA Blog).
• Always recalibrate fuel and spark maps after changing sensor range to avoid lean conditions.

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MAP vs MAF

• MAP sensors read pressure inside the manifold; MAF sensors measure air mass in the intake tube. Some engines use both for best accuracy .
• MAP's location lets it instantly sense boost or vacuum swings, making it popular on turbo cars like the 3000GT VR‑4 .

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Emissions & Economy

• The ECU retards timing and enriches fuel when MAP readings show heavy load, guarding against knock  (AA1Car).
• A failed sensor can raise HC and CO emissions because the mixture runs too rich or too lean  (Delphiautoparts).
• Accurate MAP data also triggers self‑tests of the EGR system under OBD‑II rules  (Wikipedia).

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Q: What does a MAP sensor do in simple words?
A: It acts like a tiny air‑pressure gauge that tells the computer how hard the engine is "breathing."

Q: Where is it on my 3000GT?
A: On top of the intake plenum, near the throttle body-look for a small black box held by two screws  (3sgto.org).

Q: What codes point to a bad sensor?
A: P0105 (circuit fault), P0106 (range/performance), P0107 (low input), P0108 (high input), and P0109 (intermittent)  (Delphiautoparts).

Q: How many volts should I see at idle?
A: Around 1 V on non‑turbo cars and about 2 V on turbo models  (AA1Car).

Q: Can I clean it to fix problems?
A: Cleaning rarely helps-replace the unit if vacuum tests or voltages are out of spec  (Delphiautoparts).

Q: Do I need to reset the ECU after replacement?
A: Clearing stored codes with a scan tool or by disconnecting the battery for a minute lets the ECU relearn quickly.

Q: Will a bigger MAP sensor add horsepower?
A: Not alone; it only unlocks accurate readings at higher boost. Extra fuel tuning and supporting mods are still required  (3sgto.org).

Q: Is the MAP the same as the MAF?
A: No-MAP measures pressure, MAF measures airflow; some setups use both  (NAPA Blog).

Q: What tools test a MAP sensor?
A: A digital multimeter, back‑probe pins, and a hand vacuum pump are enough  (NAXJA Forums).

Q: How often does it fail?
A: Many last the life of the vehicle, but heat, vibration, or oil vapors can shorten life-watch for symptoms rather than mileage.

Q: Can vacuum leaks mimic a bad sensor?
A: Yes. A cracked hose will fool the ECU into thinking load is higher than it is  (AA1Car).

Q: Will driving with a bad MAP hurt the engine?
A: Extended operation can over‑fuel, wash cylinder walls, foul plugs, and damage catalytic converters  (Delphiautoparts).

Q: Does altitude affect readings?
A: The sensor self‑calibrates at key‑on to barometric pressure, keeping fueling correct on mountain trips  (AA1Car).

Q: Why does my turbo 3000GT cut at 10 psi?
A: The stock 1‑bar sensor maxes out around atmospheric pressure; upgrade to a 3‑bar unit and retune  (3sgto.org).

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Further Reading

• "Making Sense of Your Sensors" - Delphi technical article  (Delphiautoparts)
• "MAP Sensors" - AA1Car technical library  (AA1Car)
• "MAP vs. MAF: What's the Difference?" - NAPA Know How Blog  (NAPA Blog)

These trusted sources dive deeper into pressure sensor theory, diagnostics, and tuning for enthusiasts seeking more detail.