You will find the mass airflow (MAF) sensor in your vehicle’s engine behind the air filter. This is a sensor that detects how much air flows into your engine from the outside. It sends this information to your vehicle’s main computer chip, the engine control module. Also called the ECM, the module uses this information to make adjustments to the air levels in the combustion chamber. The mass airflow sensor is more likely to get dirty than go bad, but both can happen. LP & Sons Auto Care lists the signs of a faulty MAF sensor below.
A Reduction in Fuel Economy
One of the first things you will notice is a reduction in your vehicle’s fuel economy. This is because the ECM may inadvertently cause an imbalance between the air and fuel in the combustion chamber and, as a result, your engine will run less efficiently.
Acceleration Sluggishness
This imbalance can also cause your acceleration to become sluggish. You will push down on the accelerator but your vehicle will be slow to respond. When the MAF sensor is malfunctioning, the ECM often times puts too much air in the combustion chamber.
An Idle That Is Rough
This can also cause your engine to idle roughly. You will not only be able to hear the engine idling roughly, but you will also be able to feel it. You may even notice that your tachometer needle bounces up and down slightly due to the rough idling.
Check Engine Warning
A dirty MAF sensor can cause the ECM to turn on the check engine light because it has received an error code. This code can come directly from the MAF sensor or it can be a different code due to the imbalance in the combustion chamber.
Difficulty Starting Your Car
You may also find it difficult to start your automobile if you have a faulty MAF sensor. Again, this is due to the imbalance in the combustion chamber. Whether there is too much air or fuel, your vehicle will be difficult to start.
Engine Hesitation/Surging
Engine hesitation occurs when the imbalance has too much air in it. Engine surging occurs when the imbalance is caused by too much fuel. Until you get the MAF sensor cleaned or replaced, you might have engine performance issues.
Excess Black Exhaust
Finally, you may end up with excess black exhaust smoke flowing out of your tailpipe if there is too much fuel in the chamber. The exhaust smoke is caused by your engine burning the excess fuel.
Call LP & Sons Auto Care in DeLand, FL, today if you are experiencing any of the problems listed above. We can test your MAF sensor and clean it or replace it.