No matter what make of European automobile that you drive, your engine will have problems if the mass airflow sensor is on the fritz. Also called the MAF sensor, this auto part measures air inflow. The engine control module uses this information to make sure that the right amount of air and gasoline is in the combustion chamber. East Coast EuroWerks advises that MAF sensor problems can cause the following engine problems.
Check Engine/Service Engine Soon
Depending on which light you have on your dashboard, the engine control module will turn on the Check Engine light or the Service Engine Soon light if your mass airflow sensor is malfunctioning. This is because the ECM has received an error code from the sensor.
Sluggish Acceleration
If the mass airflow sensor readings are wrong, the engine control module may put too much air in the combustion chamber and not enough fuel. This will cause your acceleration to be sluggish when you press down on the accelerator.
Idling Roughly
This lean fuel mixture will also cause your engine to idle roughly. This is because the engine is being fuel-starved. If the mass airflow sensor tells the ECM that there is more fuel in the engine than there is, the ECM will increase the air.
Low Gas Mileage
Sometimes the misreading by the MAF sensor can cause the engine control module to push too much fuel into the combustion chamber. If this is the case, your vehicle will burn off the excess gas and you will notice a significant difference in the gas mileage you get from each tank.
Black Exhaust
Too much fuel can also cause excess black exhaust to flow out of the tailpipe. This is caused by the burning fuel in the combustion chamber. This can create a dangerous situation in that you may also end up with flames or sparks coming out of your tailpipe.
Performance Issues
The imbalance in the air and fuel mixture can also cause engine performance issues. If there is too much air, your engine will hesitate much like your acceleration does. If there is too much fuel, your engine will surge or pick up speed when you don’t want it to.
Difficulty Starting Your Automobile
Finally, a faulty mass airflow sensor can make it difficult to get your car started. This, too, is due to the imbalance of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. If the combustion chamber does not have enough of either, the spark plugs may not be able to ignite the mixture.
East Coast EuroWerks in Wilmington, NC, can help. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a MAF sensor test.
