What are the symptoms of a faulty mass air flow sensor?
2 Answers
The obvious symptoms of a faulty mass air flow sensor are: the engine warning light will illuminate, accompanied by decreased engine power, difficulty starting the engine, unstable operation, increased fuel consumption, rough idling, poor acceleration, intake manifold backfiring, and black smoke from the exhaust pipe. Below is additional information: 1. Working principle of the mass air flow sensor: The mass air flow sensor converts the intake air flow information into electrical signals, which serve as the basic signal for fuel injection calculation. These signals are transmitted to the engine control unit (ECU) for processing to determine all functions related to engine speed and load, such as injection timing and ignition timing. If the mass air flow sensor or its circuit malfunctions, the ECU cannot receive accurate intake air volume signals, leading to improper fuel injection control. This results in either excessively rich or lean air-fuel mixtures, causing abnormal engine operation. 2. Classification of mass air flow sensors: There are various types of mass air flow sensors. Common ones can be categorized by their structural types, including vane-type, core-type, hot-wire, hot-film, and Karman vortex types. Regarding the price of mass air flow sensors, most cost around two hundred yuan, but the exact price depends on the product brand, structure, and vehicle model. Generally, high-end vehicle models use more expensive mass air flow sensors, with prices ranging from several hundred to over a thousand yuan.
When the mass airflow sensor fails while driving, the first thing I notice is that the engine is particularly difficult to start—sometimes it takes several attempts to get it going. At idle, the car shakes violently, like sitting on a massage chair, which is extremely annoying. When accelerating, it feels powerless, with no response when pressing the gas pedal, and fuel consumption spikes. Previously, a full tank could last 500 kilometers, but now it barely reaches 400, causing a big hit to the wallet. Once, the check engine light suddenly came on, and that's when I realized it was a sensor issue. I immediately took it to the repair shop for inspection. The mechanic said dust or oil contamination had fouled the sensor and that cleaning it would fix the problem, or it could be replaced entirely. Now, I regularly clean the air filter to prevent similar issues. Don’t delay repairs—it’s not expensive to fix, but if the idle becomes unstable and the car stalls on the road, it could be a real hassle.
