Hi Cayenne here. A driver brought her vehicle into the shop the other day and told us 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 (which indicated why the Check Engine light was on) and found the problem. It was a faulty Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. So today we are going to flow into the MAF sensor and what it does. As I always bark.....Let's get barkin'!
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, the explosive fuel/air mixture detonates, and these sequential explosions 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 about the amount of air entering the engine, the fuel/air mixture won't be right. It will be either too rich (too much gasoline relative to the amount of air) or too lean (not enough gasoline relative to 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, 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.
As I always say, go with the flow unless you are entering dangerous territory, then turn around and go another way.
Cayenne
Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com