Yes, a faulty or dirty mass airflow sensor can turn on the check engine light. This is because the data it is collecting becomes skewed and affects other engine systems, such as your vehicle’s combustion chamber. When this happens, system sensors send error codes to the engine control module and it turns on the check engine light. This is just one sign that you have a faulty MAF sensor. United Auto Care is going to list the other signs below.
Acceleration Lag/Rough Idling
If your vehicle is having difficulties accelerating and idling roughly, it’s possible that the dirty MAF sensor is causing an imbalance of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. In this case, there is too much air in the chamber and this is starving the engine of much-needed fuel. Unfortunately, you will continue to have this problem until you get the MAF sensor cleaned or replaced.
Engine Hesitation or Surging
You may also notice problems well your vehicle is in motion. Again, a lean fuel mixture can cause your engine to hesitate when you are driving at higher speeds. If there is a rich fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, the engine will surge and pick up speed in spurts. This can make driving your car, truck, or utility vehicle difficult.
Noticeable Fuel Economy Reduction
Any time the engine is struggling to perform the way it should be means a time that your vehicle’s fuel economy will be reduced. Unfortunately, again, until you get the MAF sensor cleaned or replaced, you will have a noticeable reduction in your gas mileage. This is because the engine is not running efficiently and, as such, it is burning gasoline or diesel fuel quickly.
Black Engine Exhaust Smoke
A rich fuel mixture can also cause black exhaust to flow out of your vehicle’s tailpipe. It’s important to note that it could be dangerous to drive your automobile under this condition if the engine is hemorrhaging fuel. In the case of the mass airflow sensor, you likely have too much fuel in the cylinders that is being burned away.
Difficulty Starting the Engine
Finally, a faulty MAF sensor can make it difficult to start your car, truck, or C/SUV. As the sensor continues to malfunction, it will get more and more difficult to ignite the automobile. In fact, there may come a time when you won’t be able to start it at all.
United Auto Care in Flowery Branch, GA, is here to help, so call us today. We’d be happy to inspect your MAF sensor and clean it or replace it if necessary.
