how do you remove a mass air flow sensor

by Keon Herman Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Removal:

1) Disconnect the negative battery cable. To remove the MAF sensor, first disconnect the wire harness plug … ...
2) Disengage the wiring harness connector from the MAF sensor, and if necessary, the IAT sensor.
3) Loosen the engine air cleaner outlet tube clamps, then remove the tube from the engine.
4) Remove the MAF sensor from the air cleaner assembly by disengaging the retaining clips.

Full Answer

How do you bypass a mass air flow sensor?

Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
Turn ignition switch OFF.
Disconnect mass air flow sensor harness connector.
Restart engine and let it idle for at least 5 seconds.
Stop engine and reconnect mass air flow sensor harness connector.
Make sure DTC P0102 is displayed.
Erase the DTC memory. ...

Is it necessary to replace the mass air flow sensor?

The mass air flow (MAF) sensor is one of the most important of the bunch, and even though it’s got a big job, it’s fairly easy to replace it yourself. Because it plays such an important role in your vehicle’s fuel-delivery system, it’s vital to know the basics around the causes of MAF sensor problems, their symptoms, and how to fix them.

How much does replacing the mass air flow sensor cost?

The sensor can also be damaged during air filter changes, and anytime the engine intake is serviced. Lastly, a collision may cause a physical or electrical fault in the MAF sensor. The average cost for a Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement is between $220 and $319 but can vary from car to car.

How to properly clean mass air flow sensor?

The Guideline of How to Clean Mass Air Flow Sensor with Alcohol

Locate the Sensor. First and foremost, we cannot answer the question of how to clean mass air flow sensor with alcohol, without being able to find where the sensor is.
Take The Sensor Off. Alright, you must have found the air flow sensor by now. ...
Clean the Sensor. ...
Dry the Sensor. ...
Re-install the Sensor. ...

How do I remove the MAF sensor?

0:462:40How To: Clean & Replace an MAF Sensor (Mass Air Flow ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere's an electrical connection that plugs in at the side remove the plugs and loosen the clamps orMoreThere's an electrical connection that plugs in at the side remove the plugs and loosen the clamps or bolts on the air filter box and lift it up.

What tool do I need to remove MAF sensor?

RE: Tool needed to remove Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Then a T-25 is needed.

What happens when you remove mass air flow sensor?

Q: Car runs with the mass airflow sensor unplugged. If you plug it in it will die if the car is running. 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.

How long does it take to change a mass air flow sensor?

Less than one hour. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Unplug the electrical connector on the mass air flow sensor. Use a flathead screwdriver to unfasten the air intake hose clamp at the throttle body.

Is it better to clean or replace a mass air flow sensor?

MAF sensors can become damaged, but more often they just get too dirty to do their job well. In this case, they can be cleaned but if it is a mechanical or electrical failure, they must be replaced. Luckily, it's a pretty straightforward job.

Is it easy to replace MAF sensor?

This is not a hard job to perform yourself since the MAF sensor is usually located in an easy to reach area on top of the engine. So if you have even the most basic mechanic experience, it shouldn't take you more than a few minutes to replace it.

Will an engine run without a MAF sensor?

Should You Drive Without The MAF Sensor? While unplugging the MAF sensor to test whether it's the cause of your problems is fine, you should not continue driving without it. The safe/limp mode is not optimal for long-term driving, and your engine needs the MAF sensor to run properly.

Why does my car run better with MAF sensor unplugged?

In case the mass air flow sensor is faulty, it gives inaccurate readings to the computer. This impacts the fuel and air ratio in the engine, which ultimately affects the vehicle's performance. In such cases, when the mass air flow sensor is unplugged, the computer no longer receives the erroneous readings.

How can you tell if your mass airflow sensor is bad?

0:431:58How To Tell If Your Mass Air Flow Sensor Is Bad On Your Car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay engine stopped if your engine stops. That means that it's working correctly. If you disconnectMoreOkay engine stopped if your engine stops. That means that it's working correctly. If you disconnect that and your car keeps running your mass airflow your mass airflow sensor is not working properly.

Do you have to reset car after changing MAF sensor?

Conclusion. To sum up, resetting the car battery is what to do after replacing mass air flow sensor first. Moreover, proper maintenance after that also holds a key.

What problems can a mass air flow sensor cause?

A bad MAF sensor can cause your vehicle to experience poor drivability issues such as engine stalling, jerking or hesitation during acceleration. This could happen while speeding up on the highway on-ramp or cruising down a city street. These issues can create dangerous situations causing accidents and injury.

How do I know if I need a new MAF sensor?

Seven Signs Your Mass Airflow Sensor Is Dirty Or Going BadBlack Exhaust. One sign that your vehicle's MAF is going bad is black exhaust from excess fuel. ... Check Engine. A faulty mass airflow sensor is a common reason why a check engine light comes on. ... Hard Starts. ... Hesitation. ... Poor Gas Economy. ... Rough Idle. ... Trouble Accelerating.

Why would a car run better with the mass air flow sensor unplugged?

The correct air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber is one of the most critical parameters of an optimally functioning combustion engine. Without a functioning MAF sensor, the vehicle's computer won't know how much fuel to add to the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chambers of the engine.

Do I need to disconnect battery when changing MAF?

After changing a mass air flow sensor, you should disconnect it from the car battery for around 15 minutes.

What should I do after replacing MAF sensor?

After Installation of the new MAF: Usually the motor recognizes the new part and everything is ok. 1. But if the motor continues to have problems, run the engine idle for 20-30 minutes.

What are the symptoms of a dirty mass air flow sensor?

What is the best way to remove the MAF sensor from the intake tube?

Use a ratchet and socket (or Torx bits) to remove the bolts securing the MAF sensor to the intake tube.

How does a mass air flow sensor work?

Like its name suggests, this is a sensor that measures the amount (mass) of air flowing into a fuel-injected engine. The way it does this is rather ingenious. The electrical system heats a hot wire anemometer in the air intake tube to well over 100 degrees. As air passes over the wire on its way to the engine, the air flow cools the wire. The onboard computer adds current to keep the wire at the same temperature and measures the amount of current needed to keep it there. The hot wire current is proportional to the air flow rate, and that tells the powertrain control module (PCM) how much air is incoming and how much fuel to add to the engine for the most efficient burn. Working with readings from the oxygen sensors, the mass air flow sensor can make precise adjustments to the air/fuel ratio. All of this happens in thousandths of a second, so it's understandable that when a mass air meter starts to fail, the engine runs poorly. Without an accurate reading of air volume, the fuel metering will also be incorrect.

How long does it take to clean a MAF sensor?

If it is obviously filthy, it may just need a good cleaning rather than replacement. Use MAF sensor cleaner only to clean the sensor, allow 10 minutes for it to dry, then put back together and see if that resolves your issues.

Why does my air flow sensor get dirty?

The mass air flow sensor can also get dirty if the engine air filter is not changed on time , which results in the same symptoms as a failed sensor.

How does air flow affect the wire?

As air passes over the wire on its way to the engine, the air flow cools the wire. The onboard computer adds current to keep the wire at the same temperature and measures the amount of current needed to keep it there. The hot wire current is proportional to the air flow rate, and that tells the powertrain control module (PCM) ...

How to set a Torx throttle?

Torx set (sometimes) 1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. 2. Unplug the electrical connector on the mass air flow sensor. 3. Use a flathead screwdriver to unfasten the air intake hose clamp at the throttle body. Remove the clips securing the air filter housing and lift out the air intake tube.

How to install MAF sensor?

Installation: 1) Install the MAF sensor to the air cleaner assembly and ensure that the retaining clips are fully engaged. 2) Install the air cleaner outlet tube, then tighten the outlet tube clamps until snug. 3) Attach the engine wiring harness connectors to the IAT and MAF sensors.

How to remove MAF sensor?

1) Disconnect the negative battery cable. To remove the MAF sensor, first disconnect the wire harness plug …. 2) Disengage the wiring harness connector from the MAF sensor, and if necessary, the IAT sensor. 3) Loosen the engine air cleaner outlet tube clamps, then remove the tube from the engine.

How many volts is a MAF sensor?

Then, measure the voltage between MAF sensor connector terminals C and D. If the reading is approximately 0.34-1.96 volts, the sensor is functioning properly.

How does a hot wire sensor work?

The sensor utilizes a hot wire sensing element to measure the amount of air entering the engine. The sensor does this by sending a signal, generated by the sensor when the incoming air cools the hot wire down, to the PCM. The signal is used by the PCM to calculate the injector pulse width, which controls the air/fuel ratio in the engine.

What is the problem with the Ford 4.0 engine?

The trainer says that Ford has these problems more than other makes and the 4.0 engine seems to be more susceptible to the problem than other Ford engines. It seems that a “missing” engine culprit is actually the computer’s sensor inside the Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF). It eventually just gets a little dirty or builds up its own patina in ...

Where does Jack Lobdell live?

Jack Lobdell lives in New Mexico, so his went 82K before it developed a small “flat idle spot”. It would run just fine but the idle began to drop every few revs from 700 to 500. No big deal. If you have had bogging or missing or idle spots, about every 25K miles plan on this quick cleaning job:

What is a hot wire?

The sensing element (hot wire) is a1 thin platinum wire wound on a ceramic bobbin and coated with glass. This hot wire is maintained at 392°F (200°C) above the ambient temperature as measured by a constant “cold wire”.

How to test mass air flow sensor?from samarins.com

In modern cars, the only way to test the mass air flow sensor is with a scan tool. Mechanics measure the amount of air flow (mass air flow sensor readings) at different RPMs. They compare the readings to the specifications or to the readings of a known-good mass airflow sensor.

What is the best way to remove the MAF sensor from the intake tube?from shop.advanceautoparts.com

Use a ratchet and socket (or Torx bits) to remove the bolts securing the MAF sensor to the intake tube.

What to do if air flow sensor is dirty?from samarins.com

If a sensor is dirty, your mechanic may suggest cleaning it (cleaning the airflow sensor is a delicate procedure) as a temporary solution; sometimes it could help. When replacing the mass air flow sensor, make sure the air filter is installed properly.

Why is my air flow sensor reading out of range?from samarins.com

Sometimes a poor electrical connection at the air flow sensor connector could also cause the air flow readings to be out of range. For this reason, the air flow sensor connector terminals as well as the wiring needs to be carefully inspected.

How to unfasten air intake hose clamp?from shop.advanceautoparts.com

Use a flathead screwdriver to unfasten the air intake hose clamp at the throttle body. Remove the clips securing the air filter housing and lift out the air intake tube. This is a good time to replace the air filter.

What causes an engine to miscalculate fuel flow?from samarins.com

A contaminated or failed mass air flow sensor cannot measure the amount of air flow correctly. This causes the engine computer to miscalculate the amount of injected fuel.

How does a hot wire air flow sensor work?from samarins.com

A temperature sensor installed close to the hot wire measures the temperature of the air near the hot wire. When the engine is idling, a small amount of air flows around the hot wire, so it takes a very low electric current ...

Why do you need to remove the MAF sensor?

The reason is that the amount of air passing through the mass airflow sensor causes burnout or hitting its maximum.

Where is the mass air flow sensor located?

The MAF sensor is located between the intake manifold and the air filter of the engine of your vehicle. In most modern vehicles, there is an IAT sensor (intake air temperature sensor). It is installed in the MAF sensor. There are various types of airflow sensors, but many vehicles use the most common type called hot-wire.

What does the MAF sensor do?

If you are considering having your vehicle’s MAF sensor deleted through the ECU, it is important to understand how it actually works, first!

What is MAF sensor delete service?

The MAF sensor delete service is one of the most preferred ECU remapping solutions. The reason is that the MAF sensor is a key vehicle component but it is also a very problematic one.

What is the purpose of mass airflow sensor?

The main purpose of the mass airflow sensor is to measure and determine what amount and density of air enter the airflow or the engine and to pass the information to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

How many wires does a mass airflow sensor have?

Here we will explain how it is possible. The hot-wire mass airflow sensor has two small wires – one is electrically heated and the other is not. There is also a temperature sensor located close to the hot wire. Its aim is to measure the temperature of the air around the heated wire.

Can a MAF sensor be broken?

Problems with the MAF sensor are typical for many vehicles and the sensor usually gets damaged or contaminated. When the MAF sensor is dirty or broken, the vehicle still can run. But it would not work efficiently and there is a huge risk of serious mechanical engine damage. Here are some of the typical MAF sensor failure problems:

FAQs

To clean your mass airflow sensor, remove it from the air intake system, spray it 10-15 times with a cleaner, allow it to dry, and then reinstall it on the car. Repeat this process every six months or every time you change your oil to ensure your vehicle continues to perform well.

How to clean a mass airflow sensor

Cleaning the mass airflow sensor is a relatively simple process. Depending on your car, you might not even need any tools. However, to be well-prepared, you should have these tools on hand:

What is a MAF sensor?

The mass airflow sensor is an important part of your car's air intake system. It measures the temperature, weight, and amount of air entering the engine. This information is sent to your vehicle's ECU, where it is used to determine the air/fuel ratio your engine needs for combustion and efficient performance.

How often to do mass airflow sensor cleaning

You should clean your mass airflow sensor every time you replace or clean the air filter (every 15,000-30,000 miles) .

What are some common symptoms of a dirty mass airflow sensor?

If your car has a dirty MAF sensor, you'll probably experience a range of unpleasant issues. Some of the most common symptoms of a dirty mass airflow sensor include:

Why should you clean the MAF sensor?

Cleaning your car's mass airflow sensor is an important part of routine maintenance. It's an essential procedure that helps ensure that your ECU receives correct information and is able to keep your engine running properly.

How to find affordable car insurance

Cleaning your mass airflow sensor should be an important part of your routine maintenance plan for your car. But regular maintenance isn't the only thing you need to do to care for your vehicle. Another highly beneficial and equally important form of protection is a quality insurance policy.

What happens if the MAF sensor is dirty?from autozone.com

This information is sent to the car’s computer which controls the fuel injection and ignition systems. If the MAF sensor becomes dirty inside and/or begins to fail, you’ll notice issues like longer cranking time when starting the engine, hesitation or jerking when you accelerate, rough idling or stalling and sometimes black soot/smoke exiting the tailpipe. You also may notice a decrease in fuel efficiency.

How long does it take for a car sensor to dry?from autozone.com

Allow the sensor to dry. This should only take a few seconds. Once the part is ready, you can re-install it back into place, reattach and tighten the clamps/brackets. Once you’ve re-installed the sensor, wait a few minutes before starting the vehicle to ensure the cleaning chemicals have evaporated.

How to remove air intake sensor?from autozone.com

With the sensor unplugged, loosen the clamps and any brackets holding it in place. Slide the sensor assembly away from the tubing and carefully remove from the air intake boot (s).

What is the role of the mass air flow sensor in an engine?from autozone.com

The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor plays a critical role within the fuel management system to ensure the ratio is correct. The MAF sensor monitors the temperature and amount of air entering your engine.

Can you clean a MAF sensor?from autozone.com

You also may notice a decrease in fuel efficiency. Cleaning the MAF as part of regular routine maintenance can help reduce and/or prevent these problems. If the MAF sensor is at fault, cleaning it can help, and many times, even solve the problem. This can be done at home. You just need to remove the component, clean it, ...

Can you clean air flow sensor with MAF?from autozone.com

Check if your car has a Karman-Vortex air flow sensor. These are found in some Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Lexus vehicles and can’t be cleaned with MAF Sensor Cleaner.

What Happens If You Disconnect Mass Air Flow Sensor?

So, since the mass airflow sensor is used to measure air intake into the engine to keep the car running correctly, then what will happen if you unplug the sensor? Will the car die or stop running ?

What does Mass Air Flow Sensor do?

Before going into detail on what will happen when you disconnect the mass airflow sensor it is important to understand what it actually does. If you want a technical definition of how a mass airflow sensor works, then you can take a look at the article we have here, but for this article, we will just cover the basic function of the mass airflow sensor.

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 does my car run better without a mass airflow sensor?

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. This means that if your mass airflow sensor dies completely, then your car will stay running and surprisingly the car might run better without the mass airflow sensor. That is because if the sensor is bad or giving a wrong reading, then the cars guess might be closer to the actual amount of air that the engine is getting giving you a more accurate fuel mixture.

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.

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.