Phoenix MAF Sensor Repair
Not everyone has heard of a “MAF Sensor” before, so we’re going to help you out with that. MAF stands for “Mass Air Flow”. No, it’s not a small blow dryer in your engine that will let you fluff your hair while you drive – it’s actually an important component for your engine to run efficiently.
The mass airflow sensor is a round tunnel made of plastic with a sensor attached inside. All vehicles take air from the outside the vehicle and pass it into the engine through the air filter. The mass airflow sensor is responsible for measuring the quantity of air entering the engine. For an engine to perform at it’s best, it needs a specific ratio of air-fuel mixture. The computer in the car reads the amount of air coming into the engine from the mass airflow sensor, and then calculates the correct amount of fuel needed for the best engine performance. If the sensor goes bad, the engine will not know the right amount of fuel to add, causing problems such as poor gas mileage, lack of power, and more.
Over time it’s common for the mass airflow sensor to get dirty, especially if the air filter is not regularly maintained and gets dirty, and loses the ability to read the amount of air coming into the engine. Additionally, if vacuum hoses are leaking, your check engine light will most likely give the same error code as mass airflow sensor failure.
In order for your vehicle to run optimally, it needs to have the correct fuel-to-air ratio. As the vehicle is moving, an uncontrollable amount of air enters the throttle body and the intake manifold. As such, the fuel has to be adjusted to be optimal for the amount of air. The mass airflow sensor measures the amount air that is entering the vehicle, and sends the information to the car’s computer. This system then controls the amount of fuel that is injected into the cylinders, so that the ideal fuel-to-air ratio is achieved. When the mass airflow sensor stops working, the computer cannot receive information on the air intake, and the fuel-to-air ratio will be wrong. This will cause your engine to run poorly, and sometimes not at all. It will also reduce your gas mileage.
When doing this job, one of our ASE mechanic may recommend changing the electrical connector that connects the mass airflow sensor to the car’s computer system. It is also possible for the wires in the connector to break, causing the mass airflow sensor to not work.
Regularly changing your air filter can improve the lifespan of your mass airflow sensor. Often mass airflow sensors stop working because of bad connectors or the wiring harness. Anytime the mass airflow sensor is replaced, the air duct between the sensor and the intake manifold should also be inspected. Changing the air filter on a regular basis will ensure that the car is getting cleaner air and hence performing optimally. Our mechanics will always inspect the vacuum hoses and snorkel attached to the mass airflow sensor when replacing it. It is possible for these items to have develop leaks. Replacing the sensor without fixing the leaks will not solve the problem.
Here are some common symptoms that indicate that your mass airflow sensor may need replacement:
Car may not start
Check engine light is on
Diminished fuel economy
Car is lacking power
Always keep your vehicle in good condition and ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and those around you! If you believe your vehicle’s need service or are not sure and would like to have your car diagnosed including your MAF Sensor, contact Perez Auto Repair online via phone 602-269-3576 or stop into our facility located at 429 S. 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009.