Skewed MAF sensor signals can cause the engine control module in your European automobile to reduce the amount of fuel injected into the combustion chamber when you turn the key in the ignition. When this happens, it will be difficult to start your vehicle. In severe cases, Euro Autoworks advises that you may end up with a dead engine. Who would’ve thought that the mass airflow sensor could cause such problems? Here are more signs that your MAF sensor is going bad.
Check Engine Warning
Your check engine light may turn on as you struggle to get your vehicle started. This can also be caused indirectly by the MAF sensor. The engine control module will turn on the check engine light if the system sensor reports an error that it cannot fix itself.
Acceleration Lag
As with having difficulty starting your automobile, a faulty MAF sensor can also make your vehicle’s acceleration lag, especially when you try to pick up speed to pass someone. This is an indication that the engine control module is incorrectly adding air to the combustion chamber because of a corrupted signal from the mass airflow sensor.
Rough Engine Idle
This lean fuel mixture will also cause your engine to idle roughly when you are sitting at a stop. If the fuel mixture is really lean, your engine may actually stall. This is an indication that the combustion chamber is fuel-starved. There isn’t enough fuel in it.
Poor Fuel Economy
The opposite of a lean fuel mixture is a rich one. This means there is too much fuel in the mixture. In either case, the faulty MAF sensor will continue to trick the engine control module into making unnecessary changes to the air and fuel. When this happens, your vehicle loses much of its fuel economy.
Black Exhaust Smoke
Another sign that the mixture in the combustion chamber is rich is black exhaust smoke flowing out of the tailpipe. This can be indirectly caused by the malfunctioning MAF sensor. You will need to clean or replace the sensor in order to resolve the problem.
Performance Problems
Finally, you will also experience engine performance problems if the mass airflow sensor is causing problems for the engine control module. Your engine may sputter and struggle to run or it may pick up speed unexpectedly.
Call Euro Autoworks in Woodbury, MN, today if your European automobile is experiencing any of the problems listed above. If necessary, we can clean or replace the mass airflow sensor.