The Best Repair Shop in Santa Barbara to Fix a Mercedes Mass Airflow Sensor Failure

14 Oct, 21

As the driver of a Mercedes, you’re behind the wheel of one of the premier German car brands on the market. Known for their prestige as much as their performance, trust you’re in great hands as the owner of a Mercedes. However, as a Mercedes owner comes the responsibility of routine care and maintenance to keep your vehicle running optimally for years to come. While they are great cars, they are still prone to wear and tear and the occasional problem as all vehicles are. One of such problems is mass airflow sensor failure. Let’s discuss the purpose of the mass airflow sensor, signs and causes of mass airflow sensor failure, and where to go when dealing with this issue.

Purpose of the Mass Airflow Sensor

Your Mercedes engine has many working parts, including the mass airflow sensor. This sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of airflow entering the engine.

Located between the air filter and the intake manifold of the engine, this little sensor tells your vehicle how much airflow is needed to keep it running at optimal performance. The most common type of mass airflow sensors are “hot-wired” sensors that measure the amount of current necessary to maintain the temperature of a wire over 90 degrees.

Signs of Mass Airflow Sensor Failure

Below are common signs of mass airflow sensor failure. Should you encounter any of them, it’s best to schedule an appointment to have your vehicle seen as soon as possible.

• Check-Engine Light Illuminates: The hallmark sign that something is amiss with your vehicle’s engine is the dreaded check-engine light illuminating on your dashboard. While an engine warning light could mean any number of things, it’s important not to ignore it and figure out what the cause is.
• Engine Struggles to Start: You may encounter instances where your engine is struggling to turn over and start. In some cases, a bad mix of air and fuel may be to blame. When the mass airflow sensor is malfunctioning, it cannot measure the correct amount of airflow needed, causing an uneven air-to-fuel ratio.
• Delayed Acceleration: The poor air-to-fuel ratio can also lead to delayed acceleration, due to the fuel struggling to make it to the engine fast enough to keep up with the acceleration.
• Dragging Engine or Lean Idling: If your vehicle is struggling for power and stalling out, this is another sign the mass airflow sensor is failing as it is not able to supply the correct amount of airflow to the engine.
• Increased Fuel Consumption: If you find yourself filling up your tank more often than normal, it could be due to a faulty mass airflow sensor. If your vehicle’s engine cannot receive the accurate airflow it needs, it is prone to burn through fuel faster, hence more visits to the pump.
• Smell of Unburned Fuel from Exhaust: Encountering the smell of unburned fuel is another indication something is wrong with your mass airflow sensor. A failing sensor can deliver too much fuel to the engine, resulting in unburned fuel spilling out of your exhaust.

Causes of Mass Airflow Sensor Failure

The most common reason mass airflow sensors fail is due to contamination. Dirt and debris contaminate the sensor, causing it to not work properly. Smaller vehicles are more prone to contamination as the mass airflow sensor is placed in a smaller engine bay.

Other causes of mass airflow sensor include:

• contact fault at the electrical connections
• damaged measuring elements
• mechanical damage from accidents
• measuring element drift

Santa Barbara Autowerks Can Help

Don’t ignore a failing mass airflow sensor. Doing so can eventually lead to further damaged parts and severely impact your vehicle’s engine-and a much higher repair bill.

Santa Barbara Autowerks proudly serves the Santa Barbara, CA, community and can quickly fix or replace your faulty mass airflow sensor. Our highly-skilled technicians have years of experience working with German car brands, so rest assured, your Mercedes is in good hands.

We look forward to earning your trust and showing you why Santa Barbara Autowerks is your go-to destination for Mercedes repair and maintenance. Call us today to schedule your appointment.