If your vehicle’s acceleration is lagging, there may be a problem with the mass airflow sensor. Also called the MAF sensor, this auto part keeps track of the air inflow into the engine from the outside. It reports this information to the main computer chip, the engine control unit. C&C Automotive advises that acceleration lag is just one sign the MAF sensor is bad. Here are other signs.
Black Exhaust Smoke
For example, if the MAF sensor reports incorrect air inflow to the engine control unit, the unit may think that the combustion chamber needs more fuel when it doesn’t. When this happens, you will end up with black exhaust smoke flowing out of the tailpipe as the engine burns away the excess fuel.
Performance Issues
Excess fuel can also cause engine performance issues such as surging and stalling due to flooding. The acceleration lag and any engine sputtering that may occur are caused by too much air in the combustion chamber. The engine control unit can make this mistake, too, if the MAF sensor is bad.
Rough Engine Idle
You may also end up with an engine idle that is rough if there is too much air in the combustion chamber. This is a sign that the engine is being fuel-starved. The most common problem with the mass airflow sensor is that it gets dirty because it is located directly behind the air filter.
Poor Gas Mileage
All of the engine performance problems discussed above will directly affect your vehicle’s gas mileage. Unfortunately, it will not affect it for the better. Rather, you will notice a significant reduction in the miles per gallon that your vehicle gets as you drive it.
Hard Starts/No Starts
A dirty MAF sensor can also make it difficult to start your automobile or prevent it from starting altogether. This can be caused by too much fuel or air in the combustion chamber, or an error code reported to the engine control unit by one of the system sensors.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, the MAF sensor may also indirectly cause the check engine light to turn on. The engine control unit will turn on the check engine light if it receives an error code from a system sensor.
C&C Automotive has five locations to serve you. Those living in South Carolina can utilize our Warrenville or Columbia auto service shop. Those living in Georgia can utilize our Martinez, West Augusta, or Downtown Augusta auto service shop. Call the shop closest to you today if you suspect you have a faulty MAF sensor in the engine.
