Full Answer
What should I do if my MAF sensor is not working?
If there is no signal at all, it’s possible that the MAF sensor has failed completely. To make sure, verify that the power feed to the MAF sensor is at least 12V with ignition on and engine running. Lastly, do a voltage drop test on the MAF sensor ground – it should be less than 100mV.
Can you drive with a bad mass air flow sensor?
Driving with a bad mass air flow sensor is definitely bad for your engine, but if you’re going to drive short distances only, for example – back home or to your mechanic, then it probably won’t do any damage to your engine.
How long does a mass air flow sensor last?
Generally speaking, mass air flow sensors (especially hot film design sensors) last a long time, however, the hot wire/hot film element is very delicate and any small amount of contamination on its surface could throw its readings off and cause engine problems.
Why does my car die when I Disconnect the mass airflow?
If the car dies when you disconnect the mass airflow sensor, then that means it was working right and that your computer has issues. It isn’t able to use the tables programmed in it to guess the amount of fuel needed.
How long can you drive with MAF unplugged?
If you disconnect the MAF and drive the car, you will know within 2 miles if the EML light will come on and the car will default to a Fail Safe or Backup throttle control, if no problems drive the car. If the EML light comes on and the throttle is limited, shut the engine off, plug the MAF back in and drive the car.8 Apr 2018
Can you drive with an unplugged mass air flow sensor?
ECU Air reading Damage: This can be quite an expensive fine in the US. So, to summarize: driving with a mass airflow sensor unplugged will lower your fuel mileage, power and cause you to fail emissions testing. You may also damage your engine and possibly void your warranty.
What happens if I unplug MAF?
If you unplug the mass air flow sensor the car will start. If you try to plug it in while it's running the car will die.17 Oct 2016
How do you bypass a MAF sensor?
How to Bypass the Cold Air Intake SensorTurn off the ignition of your vehicle and open its hood.Disconnect the negative battery cable (red). ... Grasp the wire harness that connects the MAF sensor to the power unit in the engine compartment and gently pull it out of the MAF sensor.
What happens if you disconnect the mass airflow sensor?
If you disconnect the mass airflow sensor, then the car should keep running and still be able to start normally. This is because the computer in the car if it does not receive a reading from the mass airflow sensor, will estimate and supply a number that it thinks it is supposed to have.
Why is my car not running without a mass airflow sensor?
Also, if the computer isn’t the issue, then it means one of the other sensors is probably off if the car isn’t able to keep running without the mass airflow sensor because the sensor was helping the car compensate for the other issues that it was having . So as you can see disconnecting the mass airflow sensor is actually a good way ...
What does it mean when a car dies when you disconnect the airflow sensor?
If the car dies when you disconnect the mass airflow sensor, then that means it was working right and that your computer has issues.
Why is mass airflow sensor important?
That is because the numbers the computer generates are for brand new engines, and conditions change with the engine as it ages. By letting the mass airflow sensor make the readings, it allows for the most accurate numbers if it is working properly.
What is the purpose of mass airflow sensor?
The basic purpose of the mass airflow sensor is to measure the amount of air that is going into the engine so your car can release the proper amount of gas into the engine, so the car is able to run correctly.
Can a car start and run with a mass airflow sensor unplugged?
You know that your car will start and keep running even with the mass airflow sensor unplugged. In some cases, the vehicle might run even better if the mass airflow sensor is bad. On top of knowing what happens though when you disconnect it, you also know why you might want to disconnect it and also when to disconnect it.
Is it safe to drive a bunch with an airflow sensor unplugged?
You know unplugging your mass airflow sensor is a good way to test it and other sensors, but you also know that driving a bunch with it unplugged isn’t good because it gives more accurate readings than just your computer guessing at the airflow.
