What Happens If You Disconnect Mass Air Flow Sensor? - Fixanswer

Error Code

P0104

is defined as MAF (Mass Airflow) Circuit Intermittent. Meaning, the electrical circuit of the MAF sensor produces inconsistent, erratic or irregularly high output voltage signal to the ECU (engine control unit). This error code is also associated with P0100, P0101, P0103 and P0104.

How often do mass airflow sensors go out?

The life of your MAF sensor can be extended with regular maintenance and air filter replacement. A good rule of thumb is to drive every 10,000 to 12,000 miles.

Mass airflow sensors (MAF) have no expiration date

.

Will a dirty mass air flow sensor affect acceleration?

A bad mass air flow sensor causes various driveability problems, such as a no-start, stalling, lack of power and

poor acceleration

. A faulty mass air flow sensor may cause the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light to come on.

Can you bypass a MAF sensor?

There is a sensor on the air intake called the mass air flow sensor. This sensor calculates how much air to mix with the fuel. … You can

bypass

the MAF sensor, and allow the O2 sensor to calculate how much air is needed.

Can I drive with MAF unplugged?

It's perfectly safe to drive around with the MAF disconnected

. Your car runs on a default map & runs a bit richer. Just don't do it for weeks on end.

What makes a MAF sensor go bad?

Contamination

is a key reason why MAF sensors fail and require replacement. As air, dirt and other debris get into the sensor, the parts become contaminated and fail. Drivers often notice sluggish performance, rough idling, poor acceleration or even stalling.

Should I clean or replace MAF sensor?

Both are delicate and may be damaged if you try to clean them. For this reason,

it's better to replace the sensor than to attempt to clean it and continue using it

. The MAF sensor measures the amount of air that comes into the system.

How long does it take to replace a mass air flow sensor?

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.

Can I use wd40 to clean MAF sensor?

DO NOT USE WD-40

. Use a cleaner that is meant for electrical parts. Brake cleaner is essentially the same stuff. I've also used something called ‘thottle body cleaner' whose label indicated it was safe for cleaning MAF's.

What does a dirty MAF sensor look like?

Hesitation or Surging: During acceleration or cruising, you might notice hesitation or sudden abnormal power, which can be unnerving. Hard Starting: Engine starting requires more fuel than idling, but the ECM may not command enough fuel injection to start the engine right away if the MAF sensor signal is skewed.

How do I reset my mass airflow sensor?

Check if the engine light is still on after the Mass Air Flow Sensor was replaced. The entire system can be

reset by unhooking the battery and leaving it unhooked for

10 minutes. Keeping the battery unhooked for longer than 10 minutes won't hurt anything.

How do you fix a bad mass air flow sensor?

Replacing or repairing your mass air flow sensor should be very easy. You just need to take off a few plastic pieces by

unscrewing a few bolts

and replace the sensor. If you have no confidence in replacing it by yourself, go to your mechanic and replace it, it shouldn't be a labor-intensive job.

Does MAF sensor position matter?

Technically,

clocking the MAF incorrectly can affect the output of the sensor

. But it has a lot to do with the intake ducting design. If the MAF has a relatively straight duct in front of it as well as behind it (as it should be), you wouldn't skew the sensor output as much.

How do you troubleshoot a MAF sensor?

Unplug the MAF sensor and try starting the engine. If you notice something different, the problem may be in the wiring. Check the circuit voltages using your repair manual. Also, check for a

vacuum leak

, including the hose between the MAF sensor and the throttle body.