What are the symptoms of a faulty air flow meter in a sedan?
3 Answers
When the air flow meter is faulty, it can manifest as unstable idling, increased fuel consumption, lack of power during acceleration, and more severe exhaust emissions. Types of air flow meters: Vane-type air flow meter, optical Karman vortex air flow meter, Karman vortex air flow meter, ultrasonic Karman vortex air flow meter. Functions of the air flow meter: It can detect the intake air volume of the engine, convert the information about the amount of engine intake air into an electrical signal and send it to the ECU, thereby providing safety information alerts to the driver. It can be applied in industrial production, biotechnology, scientific experiments, environmental protection, and other areas.
Recently, I've noticed that my car has been particularly difficult to start. It took several turns of the key before the engine barely fired up, and there was noticeable shaking inside the cabin at idle, making the whole car feel like it was wobbling. The throttle response was sluggish when accelerating, lacking power during overtaking, and fuel consumption on the highway was significantly higher than usual, causing my wallet to shrink. The engine light on the dashboard also came on, and a friend checked it to find that the mass airflow sensor was faulty. This component controls the air intake, and when it fails, the oxygen supply becomes insufficient, leading to incomplete combustion. Not only does this result in excessive exhaust emissions, but it can also easily cause exhaust blockages. If not repaired promptly, long-term driving could damage the catalytic converter. I quickly scheduled an appointment with a repair shop these days to avoid breaking down halfway and causing delays. I recommend that car owners pay attention to these symptoms and address them early.
Having driven for decades, I've encountered numerous cases of mass airflow sensor failures. The main symptoms include difficulty starting the engine, requiring multiple ignition attempts during cold mornings, unstable idling with noticeable vehicle shaking, and sometimes even stalling at traffic lights. Acceleration feels sluggish, making overtaking and hill climbing challenging, with fuel consumption increasing by at least 15% compared to normal levels, especially noticeable during long-distance driving. Excessive exhaust emissions cause the vehicle to fail inspections, prompting immediate OBD tool diagnostics when the warning light appears. Once this sensor fails, the air-fuel ratio becomes disrupted, not only reducing engine power but also affecting the lifespan of the catalytic converter system. I recommend not delaying and seeking professional replacement to avoid greater losses.
