| A mass airflow sensor (MAF) is used to find out the | | | | particles from oil covered sports air filters may |
| mass of air entering a fuel- injected engine. The air | | | | damage the sensor. A faulty or damaged mass |
| mass information is necessary for the engine control | | | | airflow sensor sends the wrong input signal to the |
| unit (ECU) to balance and deliver the correct fuel | | | | electronic control unit which in turn wrongly activates |
| mass to the engine. The sensing element in MAF | | | | other components. Regularly replacing the air filters |
| sensors can be easily contaminated causing hard | | | | helps to extend the durability of the mass air flow |
| starting, rough idle, hesitation and stalling problems. | | | | sensor. |
| How do I know that my mass airflow sensor is | | | | Why does my car need a MAF sensor? The sensor |
| faulty? The vehicle indicates errors such as erratic | | | | measures the air mass, which flows through the air |
| engine operation, reduced performance, increased | | | | filter to the engine. The data is then sent to the |
| petrol consumption and engine cutout. | | | | control unit in order to specify the injection rate of |
| Other causes may be possible why an intact mass | | | | the fuel. The combustion engine requires 14,7 kg of |
| airflow sensor may indicate wrong signals: | | | | air for the optimal combustion of 1kg of fuel. In order |
| - Defect exhaust gas recirculation valves | | | | to regulate the correct proportion of fuel and air in |
| - Leakages in the induction tract | | | | any operational condition, the engine control unit |
| - Blocked air intake filters | | | | requires the exact information concerning the intake |
| - Faulty tank ventilation valves among other things. | | | | of the air mass. The mass airflow sensor plays an |
| Only car garages are capable of conducting distinct | | | | integral part in the reduction of exhaust and air |
| fault diagnoses and reading out the error messages. | | | | supply. |
| Why is my MAF sensor faulty? These sensors are | | | | What does a mass airflow sensor consist of? A |
| extremely sensitive replacement parts. The hot film | | | | sensor consists of a case which is positioned |
| meter inside the mass airflow sensor is very | | | | between the air filter and air pipe. The sensor is |
| susceptible and can be easily contaminated by dirty | | | | either screwed or firmly attached inside the case. |
| and oil. This may be due to different reasons. | | | | The sensor in turn includes a hot film meter and |
| Environmental conditions (rain, splash water...), sand, | | | | electronics. The sensor measures the air which flows |
| dust, road salt, vibrations, oil and so on affect the | | | | to the engine through the air filter and sends the |
| efficient readings of the mass air flow sensor. Oil | | | | data to the control unit. |