The mass airflow (MAF) sensor works tirelessly to keep track of how much air from the outside flows into your engine. The engine control unit, your vehicle’s main computer chip, uses this data to make adjustments to the air and fuel in the combustion chamber. The mass airflow sensor can malfunction if it gets too dirty. It can also malfunction if there is something wrong with the part. Auto Service Kingston can replace your mass airflow sensor when it needs it. Here are signs that it does.
Black Engine Exhaust
A faulty MAF sensor can confuse the engine control unit. When this happens, the unit might make an unnecessary adjustment in the combustion chamber. If you end up with too much fuel in the chamber, you might see black exhaust smoke flowing out of your tailpipe.
Hard Starts/No Starts
The malfunctioning MAF sensor can also affect how well your vehicle starts. You may have problems firing up your car, truck, or utility vehicle if the MAF sensor has caused the engine control unit to put too much air into the combustion chamber. The excess air starts the engine of fuel.
Lagging Acceleration
Excess air can also cause your vehicle’s acceleration to lag. It doesn’t matter if you are starting from a stop or trying to pick up speed. If you have too much air in the combustion chamber because the MAF sensor is reading the air intake incorrectly, you will have problems picking up speed.
Performance Problems
You will also have engine performance problems such as hiccupping and sputtering. This is also caused by the excess air found in the combustion chamber. If the malfunctioning MAF sensor convinces the engine control unit to put too much fuel in the chamber, your engine will surge.
Poor Fuel Economy
Both of these problems will cause a noticeable reduction in your vehicle’s fuel economy. At first, the reduction may not be that noticeable. Eventually, however, if the mass airflow sensor continues to malfunction, you will see that you are filling the tank more often.
Rough Engine Idling
The faulty MAF sensor can also cause your engine to idle roughly. This happens when the engine is in the fuel-starved condition. In other words, the engine has too much air in it.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, all of the above will cause the engine control unit to turn on the check engine dashboard warning light. Unfortunately, the light will remain illuminated until you replace the mass airflow sensor.
Call Auto Service Kingston in Kingston, ON, today if you believe your vehicle’s mass airflow sensor is either dirty or malfunctioning. We can take care of the problem for you.