After replacing your mass airflow sensor with a new one, disconnect the negative and positive battery terminals and wait for about 15 minutes.
This resets the car’s computer (ECU) and clears any previous codes that had been stored for a bad MAF sensor.
The computer will carry out a relearn process and sync with the new sensor once you reconnect the battery and go for a test drive.
The check engine light that was caused by a faulty MAF sensor will also disappear together with other related problems. You may even notice an improvement in how your engine performs.
It’s good to note that this reset does not just work for the MAF sensor.
The computer will also forget other set parameters as well, including preset radio settings, the ideal air to fuel ratio for your engine, and any stored shift points.
Fortunately, reconnecting the battery and going for a test drive helps the computer to relearn some of the settings.
Some cars that feature an anti-theft system may lock the user out when disconnected. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual to confirm the effect of disconnecting your battery.
How long does it take for a new mass air flow sensor to work?
A new mass air flow sensor should work right after it’s installed. It does not need time to “break in” like a catalytic converter. It’s a component that either works or doesn’t.
If the check engine light is still on even after you’ve replaced the MAF sensor, it means that the trouble code that was stored in the ECU is still there.
This is why you need to disconnect the battery after changing your MAF sensor. As mentioned earlier, it helps to reset the car’s computer and delete the stored trouble codes.
With the trouble code still stuck in the ECU, false data will be conveyed from the new sensor. You may even experience the performance issues you had prior to changing the MAF sensor.
The other possible cause of the check engine light could be a bad electrical connector that causes poor electrical contact.
If the terminals are corroded, the rust causes resistance in the circuit and impedes current flow. Start by disconnecting the battery for about 15 minutes.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, inspect the electrical connector going to the MAF. Clean out any corrosion or green material with a wire brush. Replace the connector if it’s damaged.
Does a mass airflow sensor need to be programmed after replacement?
When installing some vehicle sensors, such as tire pressure monitor system sensor, it’s important to reprogram the car’s computer so that it can identify them and know their location.
When it comes to the mass air flow sensor, this depends on the vehicle model and whether or not replacing the sensor solves your performance issues.
Some MAF manuals include instructions on how to reprogram a sensor. Most of the time, resetting the ECU works just fine and is enough to get the car to recognize the new part.
How can you tell if a mass air flow sensor is bad?
If you suspect that your MAF sensor is bad, there are two different ways you can test it to determine if it’s the cause of your performance issues.
Such performance issues include:
- Hard starts and difficulty turning over
- Check engine light
- Engine hiccups
- Engine stalls just after starting
- Very lean or rich idles
- Poor fuel economy
- Jerking when accelerating
- Engine drags and hesitates in idle or when under load
- Shifting issues in some automatic transmissions
Here’s how you can quickly diagnose a mass air flow sensor.
How to test a mass air flow sensor
1. Without a multimeter
Set the car to Park and engage the parking brake. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.
Step out of the car and pop the hood. Find the MAF sensor and wiggle it about its position. You can do this using a screwdriver to avoid getting burnt by a hot engine.
If the idle gets better or worse, or the engine stalls, the MAF sensor is probably damaged and must be replaced.
Another way to test an MAF sensor without a multimeter is to unplug it and then turn on the engine. Ensure your car is in Park and that the parking brake is engaged.
If you notice that the engine runs better without the MAF sensor, get a new sensor and replace the old one.
2. With a multimeter
If you have a multimeter, set it to 20 volts. Pop the hood of your car and disconnect the electrical connector that goes to the MAF sensor.
Connect the red wire from the multimeter to the positive terminal of the harness connector. Check in your owner’s manual or online to identify which terminal this is.
Connect the black wire to the ground terminal on the connector. Turn the key to the ON position inside the ignition but don’t start the engine.
You should get a reading of more than 10 volts. If you get anything less or no reading at all, it means that there’s something wrong with the power supply to the MAF sensor.
To check the sensor’s voltage signal, plug it back into its position in between the air filter and the throttle body.
You’ll need to backprobe the sensor wires with your multimeter lead connections. Ensure the car is set to Park and the parking brake is engaged.
Start the engine and check the reading on the multimeter. You should get 0.5 – 0.7 volts. Wiggle the MAF sensor and its connections to see if the reading stays steady.
If it fluctuates, it means that there’s a loose electrical connection inside the sensor and that it should be replaced.
Why would a car run better with the mass air flow sensor unplugged?
When you unplug your MAF sensor, the car’s computer replaces it with a fake internal memory that allows it to estimate how much air is getting into the engine of the car.
It’s more like a store of values. This estimate is what the ECU thinks the engine should have. It allows the system to figure out how much fuel it should send into the combustion chamber.
If you had a bad mass airflow sensor, the car will be able to operate better and normally when you unplug it. It will no longer receive the erratic readings.
The ECU’s estimate will be much closer to the amount of air the car needs when compared to the data sent by a damaged MAF sensor.
Some people disconnect the MAF sensor when they are experiencing performance issues such as backfiring and rough idling.
However, you shouldn’t drive the car for too long without the sensor. As the engine continues to wear with time, the values stored may no longer work for it.
A good working sensor is able to detect adjustments and inform the ECU about it. It’s best to clean the mass air flow sensor, fix it, or go about replacing it to get everything back to normal.
Final Thoughts
By now, you know what to do after replacing your mass air flow sensor. Keep an eye on the car’s performance and mileage to help you figure out if there are any more issues with the MAF sensor. Consult a certified mechanic if the problems persist.
