How A Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor Affects Your Volkswagen’s Efficiency

25 Apr, 24

Modern-day cars are outfitted with many different types of sensors… These tiny devices aid the vehicle with many different things. By assisting the engine management computer in regulating air-to-fuel ratio inside combustion chamber, sensors enhance the engine’s overall efficiency and limit emission. Today’s blog post is about Mass Airflow Sensor– one of the most important sensors found in contemporary vehicles; including the Volkswagen parked in your garage.

Mass Airflow Sensor In A Nutshell

Mounted on the intake air duct of the engine, the mass airflow sensor monitors the volume of air entering the intake manifold. Based on real-time input received from the MAF and a bunch of other sensors, the engine management computer adjusts the ignition timing and fuel injection to ensure smooth engine operation, optimal fuel consumption, and minimal emissions.

In short… if you want your Volkswagen to perform smoothly and efficiently without burning too much fuel, you should ensure the upkeep of its MAF sensor. To help you diagnose a MAF sensor-related issue in your VW, we are sharing a few signs below. Please take a look…

Signs To Look For

If there is indeed something amiss with your Volkswagen’s MAF sensor, you will encounter one or more of the following signs;

#1- Reduced engine power

To keep the air-to-fuel ratio inside the cylinder close to the stoichiometric ratio (14.7:1), the engine management computer relies on real-time inputs from a bunch of sensors including the MAF. If the sensor feeds inaccurate readings to the computer, the engine’s responsiveness will be adversely impacted. This can contribute to all sorts of performance-related issues including sluggish acceleration.

#2- Rough idle & stalling

Your Volkswagen will stall frequently and idle rough if its MAF sensor is defective. For a car engine to operate at stable RPMs in different driving conditions, including at idle, a proportionate amount of air and fuel should be delivered into the cylinder. If the air-to-fuel proportion inside the cylinder gets destabilized because of a defective MAF sensor, it would have an adverse impact on the engine’s overall functionality. This can contribute to stalling and rough idling.

#3- Poor fuel economy

Lately, has your Volkswagen been burning fuel at an alarming rate? If so, there is a good chance that its MAF sensor has malfunctioned. By providing inaccurate readings to the engine management computer, the defective sensor has tricked the system into delivering more fuel into the engine.

#4- Illuminated Check Engine Light

There can be many reasons why a vehicle’s check engine light might get triggered- including a sensor related issue. Be it the MAF sensor or the oxygen sensor, sensor that has something to do with the engine operation- if malfunctions- can result in the illumination of the engine warning light on the dash. Use an OBD-II scanner to pinpoint the exact issue.

Here’s How It Can Impact Your Volkswagen’s Efficiency

#1- Suboptimal combustion

A defective MAF sensor won’t provide accurate data to the engine management computer. Irregular air intake readings may induce the computer into injecting too much or too little amount of fuel into the combustion chamber. This is something that can cause the engine to run rich or lean. As a result, the engine’s power output will diminish and fuel consumption and emissions will skyrocket.

#2- Increased emissions

Inefficient combustion inside the cylinder because of a defective MAF sensor would result in increased emissions of harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and unburned hydrocarbons. If you don’t want your Volkswagen to fail the upcoming emissions test, make sure its MAF sensor is in good condition.

#3- Engine wear & tear

Strange as it may seem- if you keep driving your Volkswagen with a defective MAF sensor, it can result in accelerated wear and tear on key engine components. Besides… carbon deposits will accumulate on important engine parts including spark plugs- if you ignore early signs of MAF sensor failure in your Volkswagen and continue driving.

Santa Barbara Autowerks: Your Trusted Volkswagen Service Center

A defective MAF sensor can contribute to poor engine operation, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions in a vehicle. It is therefore advised that you check on your Volkswagen’s MAF sensor from time to time and if it occurs to you that it has a glitch, reach out to the nearest auto service center to get the issue addressed by a certified technician. If you are in Santa Barbara, CA, contact Santa Barbara Autowerks to have your Volkswagen checked by our factory trained mechanics. Give us a call or visit our website to book an appointment today.