Take care to only clean the sensor when it has returned to ambient air temperatures, and avoid touching the sensor with tools or by hand whenever possible. Only use cleaners intended for your exact style of MAF sensor, or you risk damaging the delicate electrical part.
cleaning a mass air flow is only a temporary fix and it never is the compleate fix. the fix to a dirty mass air sensor is a new one. You can never clean them. You will only touch the surface.
It's easy for your mass airflow (MAF) sensor to get dirty because of where it is located in your engine. The sensor is located directly behind your air filter, and if you aren't faithful about getting your air filter changed when it is dirty, the mass airflow sensor will get dirty.
Symptoms of Mass Air Flow Sensor Failure
Over time, your mass air flow sensor can degrade and become prone to failure. This is due to the fact that it is constantly exposed to moving air, which is full of exhaust fumes, debris, and dust.
MAF sensors are designed to last the lifetime of your vehicle without breaking down. Build up of dirt and grime can reduce this lifespan, though, so it's important to keep an eye out for signs that the sensor is struggling.
However, after replacing the sensor, an important step is typically required: resetting the sensor. This is because the engine control module (ECM) in modern vehicles stores learned parameters about the old sensor, and these parameters need to be reset so that the ECM can adapt to the new sensor's data.
The Light Stays On
You may think that there is still a problem with the car after the repair, but it's because the light needs time to reset. The car's internal computer only resets after a set period where it checks all of its sensors once more. The reset can happen automatically after around 10 to 20 cycles.
A faulty mass airflow sensor is a common reason why a check engine light comes on. If the engine control module receives a MAF error code, it will turn on the check engine light to let you know that there is a problem with the engine.
These cleaners are often far too aggressive for this application and risk warping or damaging sensitive components – including the plastic housing surrounding the MAF sensor.
How to clean MAF sensor without cleaner. When you do not have MAF sensor cleaner, you can also use isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) to clean the MAF sensor, all you need is a soft brush, cotton swabs and a clean cloth.
The engine won't receive the proper airflow if you have a faulty mass airflow sensor. This, in turn, can lead to your car running roughly or the engine misfiring. That happens because the imbalance means that your powertrain control module can't determine how much fuel your engine needs to run.
A dirty sensor can cause rough running issues, poor fuel consumption, stalling when accelerating, and a Check Engine light on.
In most cases, successfully repairing the issue that caused your light to come on will cause the check engine light to turn off automatically—but only after 10 to 20 “cycles”. A cycle, in this instance, refers to the process of turning the vehicle on, running it for some time, and turning it off again.
You plug an OBD-II scanner tool into it and, in most cases, out pops a code that tells you what the problem is. The scanner also allows you to clear the vehicle's internal code, which is what triggered the check-engine light. Do that, and the warning light will turn off.
This means that more than one problem could be causing your check engine light to illuminate. Perhaps the technician replaced your oxygen sensor, but your engine also needs some spark plugs to be replaced. The best course of action here is to take your car to the technician again to see what else needs to be done.
Start by disconnecting the vehicle's battery to avoid any electrical mishaps during the replacement. Locate the MAF sensor. It's typically found between the air filter housing and the throttle body, and it's cylindrical. Refer to a service manual if you're unsure.
The car will revert to preprogrammed fueling maps that run rich, and it may pull timing too. Because of this, you'll likely see decreased mpg, rougher idle, and weaker acceleration. If you're doing this to try and diagnose a bad/dead mass air sensor, it won't take long at all.
Error code P0101 indicates that there is an issue with your mass airflow sensor (MAF). In this case, the MAF is out of its intended range. Other codes ranging from P0100-P0109, P0505-P0507, and P2096-P2099 often appear simultaneously with this code, given their similar proximate causes.
Causes of MAF Sensor Failure
Dirt and Debris: The MAF sensor is located in the engine air intake system, which means it can easily become clogged with dirt, dust, and debris. This can cause the MAF sensor to provide inaccurate readings to the ECU, which can lead to engine performance issues.
The average cost for mass air sensor replacement is $452 to $524. Enter your vehicle's information to see how much mass air sensor replacement costs in your local area.
Although in some cases, you may technically be able to continue driving with a bad MAF sensor, you should address the issue as soon as possible.