A mass air flow MAF sensor is a crucial part of a car’s engine control system that measures the amount of air entering the engine to determine the right fuel quantity for the air-fuel ratio. When there is a faulty mass air flow sensor, the engine control model, or ECM, does not compute the fuel injection accurately. Serious automotive issues may arise from this.
If the MAF sensor is bad, it can cause issues with fuel injection and lead to problems such as rough idling, hesitation, and reduced power. As a mechanic, you need to know the symptoms of a bad mass air flow sensor so you can easily detect where the problem is coming from. Well, in this reading, we’ll be exploring the seven noticeable symptoms of a bad mass air flow sensor.
Symptoms Of A Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor
You’ll notice the following symptoms if the mass air flow sensor is bad or faulty; illuminated engine light, acceleration problem, rough idling, low fuel efficiency, black exhaust smoke, surging, or hesitation.
Illuminated Engine Light: One of the warning lights on an automobile dashboard, the check engine light, may glow due to a malfunctioning MAF sensor. Circuit diagnostic fault codes may be to blame for this.
Mass airflow sensor damage, however, can also result from misfire codes and fuel trim. If the code reads P0101—Mass Air Flow Sensor Circuit Range/Performance—you can use an OBD scanner to figure out what the problem could be. A filthy MAF sensor could be the cause.
Acceleration Problem: When driving, especially on a highway, acceleration is one of the signs of a bad MAF sensor. This could show that an issue with the MAF sensor is causing the ECM to limit injection.
Rough Idling: You won’t get a smooth, flawless idle without the proper amount of fuel. The wrong amount will therefore directly cause rough idling as one of the symptoms of a malfunctioning MAF sensor.
Low Fuel Efficiency: Another symptom of a bad MAF sensor is a drop in fuel economy. The use of fuel could increase if an ECM failure causes more gasoline to be added than is necessary.
Dark Exhaust Smoke: Black smoke can occasionally come from the vehicle’s exhaust system due to a malfunctioning ECM. The catalytic converter may also be overloaded as a sign of a faulty MAF sensor.
Hesitation Or Surging: When the mass air flow sensors are malfunctioning, unexpected power surges or lack thereof during cruising or acceleration will occur.
Hard Starter: A difficulty in starting may indicate a faulty MAF sensor, as it can lead to insufficient fuel injection for engine starting. This can cause the engine to start, sputter, and shut off. Other issues, such as restricted exhaust, clogged air filter, broken intake tube, or vacuum leaks, can also produce similar effects, so it’s important to inspect the intake system for these potential causes.
How To Fix a Bad Mass Sensor
If the intake system of your car engine is not the issue, try the following options to fix the air flow sensor:
- opt for a MAF sensor specific cleaner and clean it as this might take care of the symptoms if the problem is some contamination in the system
- To avoid the dust from blocking the system, install a new air filter after blowing the intake tubing
- If nothing works, replace the mass air flow sensor of your car.
If replacing the MAF sensor doesn’t fix the symptoms, there may be other issues with your vehicle. If your car doesn’t improve despite regular maintenance and repairs, consider looking at used cars for sale in the UAE. Naturally, there are other possible causes for these issues, so if you have any issues with your automobile, it’s better to get it diagnosed by a qualified technician or by yourself.
Having said that, it’s critical to replace your malfunctioning MAF sensor as quickly as possible. That is all for this article, where I discussed the symptoms of bad air flow sensors. I hope it was helpful, if so, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading, see you around!
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