A mass air flow sensor (MAF) is a device that measures the flow and density of air entering a combustion chamber. It helps the vehicle's on-board computer to adjust the air-to-fuel ratio. Mass air flow sensor is the most important part of the engine. Therefore, if it does not work or starts to malfunction, it must be replaced immediately.
Causes and signs of malfunction of the mass air flow sensor
The most obvious and early sign of a faulty or malfunctioning mass air flow sensor is flickering dashboard lighting. However, many malfunctions can cause this effect. Therefore, it is necessary to test the on-board computer of the car to make sure that it is connected specifically with the MAF sensor.
Since the mass air flow sensor plays an important role in maintaining the proper balance of air and fuel inside the engine, its failure can cause a number of problems with the performance of the power unit. These may include low mileage after refueling, shaking while the engine is running, problems starting the engine, and tapping or noises. These signs may appear much earlier than the mass air flow sensor reaches a critical state and an indicator on the dashboard lights up, indicating a breakdown.
Sometimes the MAF sensor becomes dirty and therefore malfunctions. Despite the fact that the air passing through the mass air flow sensor cleans it, microscopic particles of debris accumulate on its internal surfaces. Large accumulations of contaminants will damage the instrument. In this case, the part can be returned to its original condition by simple cleaning. However, it is worth remembering that the sensor is a very delicate device and from careless handling it can become completely unusable.
There are other reasons for the malfunction of the mass air flow sensor. For example, if everything is in order with the device itself, the corrugated wire that connects it to the on-board computer may become unusable. As a result, the signal will be sent to the central processor with a delay, which will negatively affect the operation of the engine. To make sure it works, you need to ring the wire with a multimeter or other similar device.
Diagnostics
An auto mechanic can check the on-board computer at a service center. You can also do this yourself using a digital scanner for diagnostics. These scanners are available at most auto parts stores. While they all work a little differently, they are generally designed to be plugged into the OBD-II diagnostic port. Therefore, all scanners can read data from the computer.
After checking, the scanner will show one or more alphanumeric codes that can be deciphered using the reference book. More advanced models display concise information about the code on the screen. If, after decoding, it becomes clear that the malfunction is related to the mass air flow sensor, then it must be replaced or repaired. It is worth noting that mass air flow sensors are rarely repairable, as they are easier and cheaper to simply replace.
