2009 accord 3.5 v6 code p050a . Engine starts idles a few seconds then stumbles a couple times and dies. This is a California car . It has the 3.5 v6 vtec VCM SULEV. I replaced the throttle body. No change.

 

Basically the same problem -- 2010 Accord Crosstour 3.5 v6; code p050a; engine starts, idles a few seconds, then stumbles a couple of times and dies. Any solutions?

 

With that code, some of the first and easy checks would be:

• Checking the air intake duct for poor connections or blockage.
• Damage at the air cleaner housing
• Clogged air filter

You can also clean the MAF/IAT sensor with some MAF cleaner spray.

 

So...no visible blockage in the air intake duct or cleaner housing. Bought and used MAF cleaner. The problem persisted even when I tried to start the car with the air filter removed, so I don't think that's clogged.

I can smell gas after the engine cuts off. I should have mentioned that I also have a P0175 (system too rich) code.

Any other thoughts before I call for a tow to the shop?

 

Had a YourMechanic contractor take a look this morning. He unplugged the MAF sensor and the problem stopped. Annoying that parts can fail in this way. Time for a new sensor, and probably a new car -- I don't have the patience or interest to problem solve end-of-life sensors, switches, fuses, etc.

 

I was gonna say it's probably a bad mass airflow sensor. They do the majority of the sensing for air intake temperature and air flow and the ecu relies on it almost completely for the input to it's metering of fuel. The little wires and resistors can easily get burnt out after years of driving and when they do go bad they can be cause for slight changes in the air/fuel ratio at first (operational but running rich or lean and the ecu won't know it) and from there they can cause the car not to start at all.