The mass airflow (MAF) sensor may never need to be replaced if you take care of your automobile. In some cases, however, particularly if you drive an older car, truck, or utility vehicle, the sensor can malfunction because it is too dirty or just malfunctioning. Texan Auto Repair & Collision would be happy to test your mass airflow sensor if your vehicle is doing any of the following.
Acceleration and Engine Lag
The MAF sensor can directly affect your engine’s performance because of what it does. It measures the incoming air and reports the numbers to the engine control module. If it is malfunctioning, the module will receive incorrect data or no data at all. Consequently, it might increase the air in the combustion chamber when it doesn’t need it. This will cause your engine and acceleration to lag.
An Engine That Idles Roughly
The extra air will also cause your engine to idle roughly. This symptom of a malfunctioning MAF sensor is easy to detect because you will feel your vehicle shake when you are sitting at a stop. You will also be able to hear the engine cutting in and out as it misfires and struggles to run.
An Engine That Picks Up Speed
The faulty MAF sensor might also create a rich fuel mixture indirectly. When this happens, the engine burns away the excess fuel and your vehicle picks up speed in spurts. You will feel as if you are driving a bucking bronco. This can be frustrating, especially when you do not feel as if you are in control of your automobile. Unfortunately, you will continue to have this problem until the MAF sensor is replaced.
A Reduction in Your Fuel Economy
These engine performance problems indicate that the engine is not running efficiently. Unfortunately, you will take a hit in your vehicle’s fuel economy. You will find that you do not get the fuel mileage you normally get. This will leave you heading to the service station more often.
An Engine That Is Hard to Start
The dirty MAF sensor can also make it difficult to start your automobile if the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is extremely lean. This means that there is a significant increase in the air and not enough fuel to sustain engine combustion.
Check Engine Warning Light
Finally, because your engine is having problems running, the engine control module will turn on the check engine light. It doesn’t realize that it is creating the problem because it is getting incorrect data from the mass airflow sensor.
As we said above, Texan Auto Repair & Collision in Sugar Land, TX, would be happy to test your mass airflow sensor and replace it or clean it if necessary.
