Mass Air Flow Sensor- is there a way to check it?

[Kontiki]

Is there anyway that you can check the MAS using something like a multimeter? Keep getting the warning light, took it off but it doesn't seem like there is anyway you can get to do anything with it. Had a read about cleaning it but many seem to say this won't work & can make it worse, has anybody sucessfully cleaned theirs? I have a OBD2 reader is there a way to check how it is performing using this? Trying to find out if it needs replacing before spending £85 or more on a new one.

 

[ChrisInNotts]

I'm not sure about your vehicle but one option is to disconnect it and see how the vehicle runs. The lack of MAF signal means the ECU uses a default map. If its better then its probably the MAF if worse (or the same) then its something else. You really need diagnostics to measure and graph air flow while driving to fully check it out.

Keith

 

[Kontiki]

My van is a 2009 Fiat Ducato 3.0 litre, the MAF is a Bosch similar to this, is it possible to check it using my OBD2 reader & somthing like the free version of Torque? The van seems to be running ok with the warning light on, apart from the cruise control not working so not sure if this is also related to the MAF warning light or not. Maybe the van has caught the problem from our car that has the warning light coming on & going into limp mode, decided the car is going before tax & insurance runs out next month, either cheap to somebody or I will scrap it as already spent too much on it & can't keep spending on repairing 2 vehicles.

 

[hextal]

I'm not sure about your vehicle but one option is to disconnect it and see how the vehicle runs. The lack of MAF signal means the ECU uses a default map. If its better then its probably the MAF if worse (or the same) then its something else. You really need diagnostics to measure and graph air flow while driving to fully check it out.

Keith

Did that on my last car.

It pulled better, returned better mpg and still passed emmisions checks. So ran it for several years with no maf sensor.

Go figure..

I think some vehicles default to the limp-home-mode and others default to normal.

Edit. When the maf failed on mine it basically just wouldn't run at all.

 

[ChrisInNotts]

My van is a 2009 Fiat Ducato 3.0 litre, the MAF is a Bosch similar to this, is it possible to check it using my OBD2 reader & somthing like the free version of Torque? The van seems to be running ok with the warning light on, apart from the cruise control not working so not sure if this is also related to the MAF warning light or not. Maybe the van has caught the problem from our car that has the warning light coming on & going into limp mode, decided the car is going before tax & insurance runs out next month, either cheap to somebody or I will scrap it as already spent too much on it & can't keep spending on repairing 2 vehicles.
/QUOTE]

If its running OK then its unlikely to be MAF. Without reading that fault code you are just guessing. As you have a Fiat why not download the following to a laptop;

Multiecuscan - Diagnostics software for Italian cars

A cheap ELM interface will then allow to to read and diagnose the engine ECU. DO NOT try to clean the MAF unless you are 100% sure it is faulty!

Keith

 

[Kontiki]

Downloaded the software, will this run with a bluetooth OBD2 dongle as that is supposed to be ELM327 or does it need a hardwired one? I was getting the fault codes P0101 Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Range/Performance Problem
& P0111 Intake Air Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem.

Somebody on the Fiat forum has done an Excel spreadsheet listing most of the codes http://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/262613-obd2-p-b-c-u-codes.html


Just installed the software & it shows an interface for the ELM bluetooth so I will give it a try thanks.

 

[Broombroomsteps]

Make sure you don't have any air leaks , if turbo'ed inter cooler is ok and boost pipes,not all fault codes relate to that part that's at fault,the mass air sensor might be out of range best way to test it is with an oscilloscope