If you want your car to function properly, every part of its engine should be in a perfect state. All components from the engine block are equally important, and one of these parts is the mass air flow sensor.
Article summary
The most important bad mass airflow symptoms include a lit-up check engine light and a car that’s jerking and hesitating. However, symptoms also include:
- Rough running
- Difficulty starting the car
- Rough idle
Continuation
You don’t need to be a skilled mechanic to know what this sensor does, and its purpose is logical and easy to understand.
The mass air flow sensor is a measurement system that identifies the wind’s flow rate and how much is entering your car’s engine.
With this information, the part sends a signal to the control module to determine the fuel quantity used by fuel injectors.
This one can get worn out or damaged like any other manufactured part. In this article, we will talk about the signs & symptoms of a bad mass airflow (MAF) sensor.
Table of Contents
Signs of a bad mass air flow sensor
Nothing is permanent. Eventually, your car’s components will wear out over time. Although some are long-lasting, this component will break over time and need replacement.
They are permanently exposed to moving air which can hold dust or debris, damaging the component. It is important to check with your mechanic if you want a detailed report about your sensor.
They are specialists and will happily be of assistance, and some might even teach you how to manage your car’s components better. But until you reach the car service, pay attention to any of the symptoms below and check if they are present in your car.
1. Check engine light
It is the first sign that should make you suspicious about the current state of your vehicle’s mass air flow sensor. The check engine light is a common warning system that might not be specific, as it only signals a general problem with your engine.
The light might be lit up because of another faulty component. While checking the engine, it’s also good to look at the mass air flow sensor. This light might appear on the dashboard for many reasons, and some of them are shown in the table below.
| Reason | Cause |
| Oxygen Sensor | Faulty oxygen sensors and damaged wiring or connections |
| Catalytic Converter | Old age or damage caused by engine misfires |
| Ignition Coil | Damaged spark plug wires or spark plugs that need to be replaced |
| Transmission Issues | Low transmission fluid levels or a faulty transmission sensor |
Whenever your check engine light comes up, it’s recommended to check in with a mechanic and have them diagnose your car’s problems.
2. Jerking and Hesitation
Your ride should be smooth at high speeds, especially when cruising down the highway. Pay attention to any sudden jolts of power while your vehicle is moving.
If your engine is struggling when accelerating, that might be a good sign of a faulty part needing replacement. Your safety might be at risk with a damaged mass air flow sensor, so it’s necessary to check in with an expert as soon as possible.
3. Rough Running
The combustion process will eventually be disturbed if your part is damaged. It happens due to improper fuel flux management because the broken component sends the wrong signals to your vehicle’s control module.
These inaccurate measurements will allow your engine to run too much or too less fuel, making your journey rough. Your car should offer a smooth and stable ride at cruising speeds, but a damaged component will interfere with that.
Cleaning the mass air flow sensor is easy when you get the right product. If you want a quick solution to fix the faulty part, then below you will see the best mass air flow sensor cleaner available on the market.
What is a mass air flow sensor?
Installed near your car’s air filter, the mass air flow sensor is an essential component of the fuel injection system.
While this component is common, you can find different types of airflow sensors on some cars.
These require different maintenance, and their specific instructions should be followed accordingly. More details about this part are explained in the following table.
| Function | Measures the amount and density of air entering the engine |
| Location | Typically located between the air filter and the throttle body |
| Type | Most of them are hot wire sensors that use a heated wire to measure the airflow |
| Symptoms of failure | Check engine light turns on and the engine stalls or idles roughly. |
In general, these components can be either digital or analog. The difference between them is made by the way these parts produce an output that is later sent to the control module to regulate the fuel flux used by the injectors.
The main purpose of a mass air flow sensor is to generate the proper air-fuel ratio. It can vary depending on your driving style.
It is done by deciding the amount of fuel necessary based on the measured airflow into the engine intake, all calculated by this part.
When cruising down the highway, the air-fuel ratio will be much lower than when you are accelerating your car in city traffic.
This component is extremely important since a damaged one will make it challenging to calculate the best possible air-fuel ratio.
That’s why a faulty component should not be ignored. The overall health of your car’s engine depends on this component, and immediate fixing measures and repairs should be taken.
Maybe you suspect your vehicle’s mass air flow sensor might be faulty. Check the signs and symptoms below and see if you can identify any in your car.
