Repairing Guides

how to repair mass air flow sensor

by Savanah Raynor Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Resetting the Mass Air Flow Sensor by Disconnecting the Battery

  • Remove the old MAF sensor and replace it with a new one
  • Before you connect the sensor with its harness, disconnect the battery from the ground cable
  • Leave it like that for around 10 minutes
  • The whole system will be reset now. Plug in the MAF sensor and turn the engine on.

Part of a video titled Clean & Replace an MAF Sensor (Mass Air Flow Sensor)
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There's an electrical connection that plugs in at the side remove the plugs and loosen the clamps orMoreThere's an electrical connection that plugs in at the side remove the plugs and loosen the clamps or bolts on the air filter box and lift it up.

Full Answer

How much does replacing the mass air flow sensor cost?

To get your mass air flow sensor replaced, you will pay about $300, on average. The labor should cost you around $60, while parts are about $240. The prices vary based on where you go for servicing and what kind of car you have.

What happens if you disconnect mass air flow sensor?

  • Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
  • Turn ignition switch OFF.
  • Disconnect mass air flow sensor harness connector.
  • Restart engine and let it idle for at least 5 seconds.
  • Stop engine and reconnect mass air flow sensor harness connector.
  • Make sure DTC P0102 is displayed.
  • Erase the DTC memory. ...

What are the symptoms of bad mass air flow sensor?

Symptoms of a Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor are given bellow

  1. Hesitation and Jerking of the Car During Acceleration: A Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor will definitely reduce the quality of driving the car. ...
  2. The Ratio of the Air Fuel will be very Rich: As previously we knew how a Mass Air Flow Sensor works. ...
  3. The Ratio of the Air Fuel will be very Lean:

What happens if my mass air flow sensor is bad?

  • The engine is struggling to turn over
  • The vehicle is having issues starting
  • The vehicle stalls shortly after starting
  • Under load or when idle, the engine hesitates
  • During acceleration, the vehicle will hesitate or even drag
  • The engine “hiccups”

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Can a mass airflow sensor be repaired?

Replacing or repairing your mass air flow sensor should be very easy. You just need to take off a few plastic pieces by unscrewing a few bolts and replace the sensor. If you have no confidence in replacing it by yourself, go to your mechanic and replace it, it shouldn't be a labor-intensive job.

How do you fix a faulty MAF sensor?

How to fix a bad mass air flow sensorOpt 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.More items...

Is it better to clean or replace a mass air flow sensor?

Generally, you'll want to clean your mass airflow sensor either every six months, or every time you change your oil. Cleaning it when you change or clean your air filter will be a good way to save both time and money.

What happens if you disconnect mass air flow sensor?

Q: Car runs with the mass airflow sensor unplugged. If you plug it in it will die if the car is running. If you unplug the mass air flow sensor the car will start. If you try to plug it in while it's running the car will die.

Can a mass air flow sensor be cleaned?

Cleaning the MAF as part of regular routine maintenance can help reduce and/or prevent these problems. If the MAF sensor is at fault, cleaning it can help, and many times, even solve the problem. This can be done at home. You just need to remove the component, clean it, and reattach it to your engine air intake system.

How do I know if my mass airflow sensor is working?

Pop the hood open. Lightly tap the MAF sensor and electrical connector with a screwdriver handle. Wiggle the wires as well. If the engine stalls, idle is upset, or idle gets better, the MAF sensor is likely defective.

How do I know if my mass airflow sensor is dirty?

Seven Signs Your Mass Airflow Sensor Is Dirty Or Going BadBlack Exhaust. One sign that your vehicle's MAF is going bad is black exhaust from excess fuel. ... Check Engine. A faulty mass airflow sensor is a common reason why a check engine light comes on. ... Hard Starts. ... Hesitation. ... Poor Gas Economy. ... Rough Idle. ... Trouble Accelerating.

Will a bad MAF sensor throw a code?

Mass Air Flow Sensor Symptoms A faulty MAF sensor can also trigger other codes, such as those pertaining to an air/fuel ratio imbalance or an engine misfire.

Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean a mass air flow sensor?

You can clean your MAF sensor with a few easy steps: Blow away any dirt or debris on the sensor using compressed air. Use isopropyl alcohol and gently clean the sensor by putting alcohol on an ear stick. Simply wet it with the solution and wipe off any dirt or grime.

Can you run a car without a mass air flow sensor?

Should You Drive Without The MAF Sensor? While unplugging the MAF sensor to test whether it's the cause of your problems is fine, you should not continue driving without it. The safe/limp mode is not optimal for long-term driving, and your engine needs the MAF sensor to run properly.

Should I disconnect battery when changing MAF sensor?

After changing a mass air flow sensor, you should disconnect it from the car battery for around 15 minutes.

How do you reset check engine light after replacing MAF sensor?

Check if the engine light is still on after the Mass Air Flow Sensor was replaced. The entire system can be reset by unhooking the battery and leaving it unhooked for 10 minutes. Keeping the battery unhooked for longer than 10 minutes won't hurt anything.

What happens if the mass air flow sensor is bad?

A bad mass air flow sensor won’t reliably measure the amount of air coming in through the air filter, resulting in a delay in the fuel delivery during sudden acceleration and a temporary lack of power. In such a scenario, the ECU will sense the drop in engine vacuum first and then using other sensors, will decide if more fuel is required.

What happens if you have a dirty MAF sensor?

A dirty MAF sensor will affect things like fuel economy and may cause a delay in acceleration, but usually won’t cause a misfire or engine cut out. If the check engine light comes on, then it usually points to a sensor that is broken and cleaning it won’t make any difference.

What to use to clean MAF sensor?

To clean the sensor surface, you should only use a Mass Air Flow Sensor cleaner (MAF cleaner) or electrical contact cleaner.

What is a performance air filter?

A performance air filter attached to the mass air flow sensor. If the air filter is not changed regularly, or if a low quality aftermarket filter is used, the MAF sensor won’t be properly protected from incoming impurities.

Why is my air flow sensor bad?

A bad mass air flow sensor is often the likely culprit if your car isn’t running as it should. The job of the mass air flow sensor is to keep track of the amount of air coming in through the air filter, so that the ECU can adjust the amount of fuel getting into the engine. If the mass air flow sensor isn’t working properly then you will be faced ...

How does air filter affect engine speed?

The amount of air entering the engine through the air filter is going to fluctuate depending on how fast the engine is running. If you push down on the accelerator, the engine will need more fuel to increase the rate at which the pistons are moved. In order to increase speed, more fuel and air is needed.

Can an ECU measure air mass?

Since the ECU can’t measure incoming air mass, it needs to compensate for this lack of information using the rest of the engine sensors. Depending on ECU’s program sophistication and installed sensors, the vehicle start can be very difficult. On older models, you may find that the engine doesn’t start at all.

Why is mass airflow sensor important?

The mass airflow sensor is an important part of a car system. Whenever it is gets faulty, it needs to be replaced as quick as possible to avoid further damage.

How much does it cost to install a mass airflow sensor?

However, there are exceptions. The labor cost of installing the mass airflow sensor on some cars is about $100. There are various factors to consider when fixing or replacing the mass airflow sensor of your vehicle.

Why does my MAF get dirty?

The MAF can also get dirty as time goes on due to an old or clogged air filter. A dirty filter will serve as a passage for dirt to enter into the airflow sensor.

How many megaohms should a mass airflow sensor have?

The mass airflow sensor is an important component of a vehicle. If you want to test your sensor with a multimeter, you should get one with a minimum of 10 Megaohm. This ensures that the meter does not damage sensitive devices while drawing lots of currents. To begin testing, the first thing to do is to locate it in the car.

What happens if your airflow sensor is damaged?

If your mass airflow sensor is damaged then, you will have to repair or replace it. One of the factors that determine the cost of replacing a mass airflow sensor is the make and model of the vehicle.

What is the MAF on a car?

The ECU will then deliver the required amount of fuel to the engine. The MAF as it is commonly called is usually placed between the throttle and air cleaner. The MAF can get damaged and once it does, it causes many problems which could lead to engine failure or drastic reduction in performance.

How much does it cost to replace a MAF sensor?

If you need to replace the MAF sensor, you can save about $120 to $200. This includes the labor cost and that of the parts you need to purchase. Determinants of these prices are mainly the make and model of your car. Some sensors might be about $400 while others can cost about $100 to $200.

When Do You Need to Reset Mass Air Flow Sensor?

If the mass air flow sensor is damaged, you’ll know it from certain symptoms your car will show. Some of them could be –

How Long Does It Take to Reset Mass Air Flow Sensor?

To reset the mass air flow sensor, you can either do it by disconnecting the battery or disconnecting the MAF sensor’s harness.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Mass Air Flow Sensor?

Price of a mass air flow sensor varies depending on the quality. It may cost you $90 to $370 or more. The installation charge can range from $15- $200, depending on the place you visit.

Can You Replace the Mass Air Flow Sensor by Yourself or Need to Go to a Mechanic?

Replacing the mass air flow sensor is quite an easy task. If you’ve the basic knowledge regarding your engine, you can do it by yourself.

How to Reset the Mass Air Flow Sensor

Now that you know when to reset the mass air flow sensor, let’s show how you can do it. As mentioned before, there’re two ways you can do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answer resides in your car’s operation manual. A lot of the cars need MAF sensor resetting after replacement. But, some recent models don’t need it. You can do some research on it to know whether your car needs it or not.

Conclusion

When and how to rest a mass air flow sensor? Well, do it after you replace or re-install the sensor.

What Is Mass Air Flow Sensor? Why Is It Necessary In The Car?

Using a mass airflow (MAF) sensor properly is necessary to prevent a knock in your engine. Knock results from having too much fuel and not enough air in the combustion chamber, which causes uncontrolled explosions within the cylinder.

What Happens If You Have A Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor?

The Mass Air Flow Sensor is an essential part of your car’s engine. It measures the amount of air coming into the engine and sends a reading to your car’s computer, which then adjusts the engine accordingly for optimal performance.

Disadvantages Of Having a Bad MAF Sensor?

Today, you will learn about the three disadvantages of having a bad mass air sensor in your car. Mass airflow sensors, also called MAF, can go wrong in different ways, and each defect has its drawbacks.

When Should You Bypass MAF Sensor?

Every car contains a mass airflow sensor to measure the amount of air coming into the engine for optimum fuel efficiency and power.

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