The mass airflow sensor is located in your vehicle’s engine behind the air filter. This sensor is responsible for keeping track of the air that flows into the engine. It reports this airflow to the engine control module so adjustments can be made in the combustion chamber if necessary. Benton Road Auto Repair advises that a mass airflow sensor will last the life of a well-maintained vehicle. It can get dirty, however, and this will affect your engine’s performance in the following ways.
Acceleration Hesitation
If the mass airflow sensor is dirty, it can send incorrect data to the engine control module. Consequently, the module may think that the combustion chamber needs more air when it actually doesn’t. When this happens, your acceleration will lag and hesitate because the engine is fuel-starved.
Hard Starts/Dead Engine
Also called the MAF sensor, if there is too much air in the combustion chamber caused by a faulty mass airflow sensor, you may find it difficult if not impossible to start your automobile. This can get frustrating because it’s difficult to pinpoint the problem. One clue that it is your MAF sensor could be that the check engine light will come on and remain on.
Hiccupping Engine
If you do get your engine started, it may hiccup and sputter. No matter how much you press down on the accelerator, no amount of fuel will stop the engine from hiccupping. This can affect your engine’s performance at high speeds because it will be stuttering and threatening to stall.
Rough Idling
Another thing that you will notice is that your vehicle’s idle will get very rough because, again, you’re dealing with a lean fuel mixture. If the faulty MAF sensor causes the engine control module to increase the fuel in the combustion chamber, your idle will still be rough. Any time you have a lien or rough idle, it could be a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor that is causing the problem.
Stalling After Starting
Another sign that your vehicle doesn’t have enough fuel in the chamber is if it stalls after you get it started. You may have difficulty getting the vehicle started and then it will stall, or it may start up right away but then stall. Either way, this is a sign of a bad MAF sensor.
Stress Hesitation and Drag
Finally, a dirty MAF sensor can make it difficult for your vehicle to operate when it is under stress. For example, if you are towing a trailer that is within your vehicle’s weight limitations yet the engine is struggling, this could be due to a bad mass airflow sensor.
Stop by Benton Road Auto Repair in Bossier City, LA, today if you are experiencing any of the engine problems listed above.
