#Air flow sensor how to#

This is mainly because the air-fuel combination gets too lean, causing the automobile engine to starve and trigger jerks. Read More: Car Dashboard Warning Lights and Symbols 2) Bumpy or Jerky AccelerationĪ faulty mass air flow sensor may cause an incorrect air flow and may produce bumpy or jerky acceleration. There is also a chance that the PCM may not detect the bad MAF sensor for some reason, and the check engine may not illuminate. If any of the sensors send incorrect data to the PCM, the check engine Light illuminates.Īs the MAF sensor goes bad, it sends wrong information to the PCM, and your PCM will instantly illuminate the check engine light on your dashboard. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) of the car manages the readings of all the sensors present in the car to ensure the efficient working of your engine. The illumination of the check engine light is one of the first symptoms of a bad MAF sensor.

Failed Emission Test 1) Check Engine Light illumination.

A bad MAF will also exhibit symptoms comparable to those caused by a low fuel pressure caused by a damaged fuel pump.Īs the MAF sensor goes bad, it produces one of the below-given symptoms: The bad mass air flow generates multiple symptoms, like a low vacuum and low compression. The PCM then directs the injector to supply the precise amount of fuel that is proportionate to the airflow, resulting in an air/fuel combination that is appropriate for your engine. The PCM uses these readings to adjust the amount of air entering the engine. These voltages depict the readings of the airflow. This adjusted current is then converted into voltage and forwarded to the PCM of your car. With the change in temperature between these two wires, the mass air flow sensor automatically adjusts the current to the heated wire to maintain the temperature. The heated wire cools when the air travels over it. The electric current is used to heat one of its wires while the other remains unheated. This sensor has two basic wires: an ambient temperature wire and one heated wire. The majority of automobiles contain hot-wire MAF sensors. The hot wire theory serves as the foundation for the MAF sensor’s operation. It measures the air that enters the engine of your car. The MAF sensor is located between the throttle body and the air filter of your car. Your PCM utilizes the data of the MAF sensor to regulate the air-fuel ratio, fuel injection rate, and engine performance. The mass flow sensor delivers the exact air flow information to the PCM, and the O2 sensor makes the changes in this information to make it even more precise. The air-fuel ratio of the engine can be controlled precisely with the associated functioning of the MAF sensor and O2 sensor. That’s why efficient MAF sensors are important to determine the amount of intake air in every cylinder.īad MAF sensors can initiate different problems within the engine and result in poor engine performance and poor fuel economy.

In various vehicles, the density of the air changes with the forced induction, altitude, and ambient temperature. The air mass data is very important for the powertrain control module (PCM) to balance the air-fuel ratio and transfer the precise fuel mass to the combustion chamber. The density of the air varies with the pressure and temperature. The MAF sensor, or Mass Air Flow sensor, is used to measure the mass flow rate of air entering a fuel-injected IC engine.

#Air flow sensor how to#

This article describes the bad MAF sensor symptoms, causes, and how to reset the mass air flow sensor. The MAF sensor analyses the amount of air that enters the engine and transfers retrieved data to the powertrain control module (PCM), which uses this data to regulate the fuel injection rate. What are the signs of a bad Mass Airflow Sensor?Īn engine requires the mass air flow (MAF) sensor to work efficiently.How long does a mass air flow sensor last?.Can a mass air flow sensor cause transmission problem?.What are the Causes of a bad MAF Sensor?.What happens if the Mass Air Flow sensor fails?.What is the function of the MAF Sensor?.