The mass airflow sensor or MAF sensor is different from the oxygen sensor, which we talked about in a previous blog post. The MAF sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of air that flows into the engine from the outside. As you probably already know, this air is purified and sent to the combustion chamber to be mixed with fuel. Automobile Diagnostics advises that the combustion chamber can end up with too little or too much air if the mass airflow sensor is going bad.
1. Acceleration Lag
If the combustion chamber ends up with too much air in it, you will notice that your acceleration lags. This is because there is more air than fuel in the combustion chamber and your vehicle is fuel-starved. The mass airflow sensor can report the wrong amount of air to the engine control module if it is malfunctioning. This will cause the module to add unnecessary combustion air.
2. Black Engine Exhaust
The opposite occurs when the faulty MAF sensor sends the wrong air data and the engine control module fills the combustion chamber with fuel. This rich fuel mixture will cause black exhaust to flow out of your tailpipe. When the engine burns away excess fuel, it creates black exhaust.
3. Check Engine Warning
Whether there is too much or too little air in the combustion chamber, the engine control module will turn on the check engine light if you have a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor. It’s also possible that the mass airflow sensor is fine. It is just caked with dirt and this is why it is sending incorrect readings to the engine control module.
4. Engine Hesitation/Surging
Another sign that you are dealing with a bad MAF sensor is your engine hesitating or surging. When the engine hesitates, this is a sign that there is too much air in the combustion chamber. This is just like your acceleration lagging when you press down on the accelerator. If the engine is surging, there is not enough air in the chamber.
5. Hard Starts/No Starts
A dirty MAF sensor can actually prevent you from starting your automobile. If the sensor is very dirty or if the MAF sensor has died, the engine control module will be unable to calculate how much air your combustion chamber needs and it will make it difficult to start your automobile or your car won’t start at all.
6. Poor Fuel Economy
If your engine is burning away excess fuel due to a faulty mass airflow sensor reading, you will notice a reduction in your fuel economy. Unfortunately, you will continue to get poor gas mileage until you replace the mass airflow sensor.
7. Rough Idling
Finally, a lean fuel mixture, which is a mixture that has too much air in it, will make your vehicle idle roughly. This incorrect mixture can be caused by a bad mass airflow sensor, a bad oxygen sensor, or problems with fuel delivery such as clogged fuel injectors.
Automobile Diagnostics in Columbus, IN, is your one-stop auto shop for all of your automotive repairs and services. We can replace your mass airflow sensor if it needs it.