Let’s talk about the mass airflow (MAF) sensor and how it can affect your car, truck, or C/SUV. HCS Auto Repair advises that this sensor provides crucial air inflow information to the engine control unit (ECU). The unit uses this information to keep the air and fuel balanced in the combustion chamber. If the MAF sensor gets dirty or malfunctions, it can cause one or more of the following problems.
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Check Engine Warning Light
One of the first things that might happen with the faulty MAF sensor is a check engine warning. This light will turn on because the ECU received an error code from a system sensor. The malfunctioning MAF sensor can indirectly throw off the balance of air and fuel and this will create error codes.
A Reduction in Fuel Economy
Your vehicle will also fail to get the gas mileage that it normally gets if the MAF sensor is going bad. This is because it can trick the ECU into making unnecessary adjustments to the air and fuel in the combustion chamber. When this happens, your engine’s performance and fuel economy suffer.
An Engine Idle That’s Rough
For example, you may end up with an engine that is idling roughly because the ECU has created a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber because of skewed data reported by a faulty MAF sensor. Unfortunately, your engine will continue to idle roughly until you replace the MAF sensor.
Black Engine Exhaust Smoke
The opposite can happen, as well. The ECU may put too much fuel in the combustion chamber because it perceives the need for it based on incorrect data submitted by the mass airflow sensor. As your engine burns away the extra fuel that it doesn’t need, it will release black exhaust out of the tailpipe.
Difficulties Starting the Engine
These problems can make starting your automobile’s engine difficult. It could be that there isn’t enough fuel in the engine to get it started or that there is too much fuel and the engine is flooded. The imbalance could also be associated with too much or too little air.
Engine Hesitation or Surging
These things will make your engine hesitate or surge based on the predominant ingredient. For example, the engine will hesitate if there is too much air in the combustion chamber. The engine will surge if there is too much fuel in the combustion chamber.
Call HCS Auto Repair in Springdale, AR, today if you suspect your car, truck, or utility vehicle needs a new mass airflow sensor.