
The MAF sensor is not an item that appears on your maintenance schedule, but like any sensor, they can occasionally fail. When to Clean or Replace the Mass Air Flow Sensor Related repairs or maintenance may also be needed. *These prices are based on national averages. All you need is time, maybe a few basic tools (my Ford van required no tools at all), and a $3 can of air intake cleaner. If you’re comfortable taking apart your air intake system yourself, it’s definitely worth trying to clean the mass air flow sensor before you replace it. If they clean it, put your intake system back together, and it doesn’t fix the problem, they have to do the same job all over again, so it’s actually cheaper for a mechanic to replace the sensor the first time. Cleaning or replacing the mass air flow sensor sooner rather than later will avoid these potentially more serious and expensive problems.Ī mechanic will typically replace the mass air flow sensor regardless of whether it’s dirty or has failed completely. Ignoring a misfire could result in ignition failure, catalytic converter damage, and unsafe or dangerous conditions while operating the vehicle. If you continue to drive while this problem gets worse, though, it could cause your engine to misfire. Is It Safe to Drive with a Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor? There is no way to reset it, but you can try to clean it, and then replace it if a cleaning doesn’t fix the problem. If what you observe in the live data does not match this behavior, it almost certainly means your mass air flow sensor is dirty or has failed entirely. For example, at 2,000 RPM the value should be higher than at idle, but lower than at 4,000 RPM. You can also hold the engine at certain RPMs to check the MAF sensor value there. The number should increase dramatically, since a lot more air is suddenly rushing into the engine. It should change slightly but stay close to the same value. When the car is warmed up and idling with the air conditioner off, this should be a fairly small number. You should see a number that corresponds to how much air is going into the engine. Plug your scan tool into your car’s OBD2 port, go to View Live Data, and check the MAF sensor readings. If your check engine light is on and you suspect the mass air flow sensor is the cause, you can test this with an OBD2 scan tool like the FIXD scanner and app. Thanks to OBD2, the ECU is constantly checking data from the MAF sensor and other sensors in your engine to make sure everything is working properly. How Do You Test the Mass Air Flow Sensor? See Step 1 below for an image of where the MAF sensor is located. Look for a sensor sticking into the middle of the intake tubing, often near the air filter for easy access. The exact location varies from one vehicle to another, but it’s generally somewhere in your air intake system between the air filter and the intake manifold.
MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR CLEANER PROFESSIONAL
If you don’t feel comfortable cleaning the mass air flow sensor yourself, don’t worry! Here’s how much it will cost to have a professional replace it. This gives the ECU inaccurate information and causes an incorrect air and fuel mixture. Sometimes this sensor can get clogged with debris or fail entirely. The mass air flow sensor (MAF) enables the ECU (the computer that runs the engine) to calculate and add the proper amount of fuel to enable the engine to run at peak power and efficiency. What Is the Mass Air Flow Sensor and What Does It Do? Screwdrivers, wrenches, and whatever else is needed to access the mass air flow sensor on your particular vehicle.Time Required: 5-90 minutes, depending on how easy or difficult it is to reach and remove the mass air flow sensor on your particular vehicle.DIY Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate, depending on how easy or difficult it is to reach and remove the mass air flow sensor on your particular vehicle.Here’s Everything You Need to Know to Clean Your Mass Air Flow Sensor at Home. Cleaning Your Mass Air Flow Sensor Is a Beginner To Intermediate Job for Most DIYers.
