Go With the Flow (MAF Sensor Replacement)
March 30, 2025
A driver brought her vehicle into the shop the other day and told us how she was getting lousy fuel economy and that the engine was running rough. Plus, the Check Engine light was on. Our technician checked the code the engine had generated (why the Check Engine light was on) and found the problem. It was a faulty Mass Air Flow sensor, MAF sensor for short.
This MAF sensor is an important part of your vehicle. What it does is calculate the amount of air going into your engine. As you may know, air is taken into your engine where it's mixed with fuel. Then, the spark plugs fire, that explosive fuel/air mixture detonates, and all these sequential explosions together provide the power to get your vehicle moving down the road.
It makes sense that if the MAF sensor isn't sending the engine's computers the correct information on the amount of air going in the engine, the fuel/air mixture isn't going to be right. It will either too rich (too much gasoline for the amount of air) or too lean (not enough gasoline for the amount of air).
In this driver's case, the MAF sensor was damaged and needed to be replaced. Another thing that may cause the MAF to give an incorrect reading is if its wires are dirty or faulty. So, replacing or cleaning the wires important as well.
Other symptoms that your MAF sensor is bad? If your engine hesitates when you step on the gas, it stalls, or your vehicle is jerky when you accelerate.
A malfunctioning MAF sensor is not just bad for performance. Driving with your vehicle in that condition can cause more damage to your engine. When you bring your vehicle in for us to check, a technician will thoroughly examine your engine to make sure all issues are taken care of.
Car Fix Shelby
46870 Van Dyke Ave.
Shelby Township, Michigan 48317
(586) 739-7810
Need Service?
More articles from Car Fix Shelby
Clean Machine (Fuel and Air Induction Cleaning)
March 23, 2025
As your vehicle ages, its performance isnt quite what it used to be, but many of us never notice the change because its gradual. So here are a few questions to ask yourself. Does your vehicle feel like it doesnt have the pep that it used to? Have you noticed your fuel economy isnt quite as good... More
Prepare Your Windshield for Winter (Wiper Blades and Fluid for Freezing Temperatures)
March 16, 2025
Winter and freezing temperatures present challenges for different parts of your vehicles. For example, winter tires give you better traction on snow. But some parts of your vehicle that may need special attention for winter are your windshield wipers. You may have found yourself in the middle o... More
Emergency! (Vehicle Emergency items)
March 9, 2025
"I never expected it could happen to me." Countless drivers have said that after they've had an emergency turn their lives upside down. So before that happens to you, let's thinking about planning ahead for an emergency with a few things you should keep in your vehicle. Road flares. If you've ev... More