OBJECTIVES After studying Chapter 17 the reader will

OBJECTIVES After studying Chapter 17, the reader will be able to: 1. Prepare for ASE Engine Performance (A 8) certification test content area “E” (Computerized Engine Controls Diagnosis and Repair). 2. Discuss how MAF sensors work. 3. List the methods that can be used to test MAF sensors. 4. Describe the symptoms of a failed MAF sensor. 5. List how the operation of the MAF sensor affects vehicle operation. 6. Discuss MAF sensor rationality tests. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

AIR FLOW SENSORS • Port electronic fuel-injection systems that use air flow volume for fuel calculation usually have a movable vane in the intake stream. • The vane is part of the vane air flow (VAF) sensor. • The vane is deflected by intake air flow. FIGURE 17 -1 A vane air flow (VAF) sensor. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

AIR FLOW SENSORS FIGURE 17 -2 A typical air vane sensor with the cover removed. The movable arm contacts a carbon resistance path as the vane opens. Many air vane sensors also have contacts that close to supply voltage to the electric fuel pump as the air vane starts to open when the engine is being cranked and air is being drawn into the engine. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TYPES • Hot Film Sensor – The hot film sensor uses a temperature-sensing resistor (thermistor) to measure the temperature of the incoming air. • Hot Wire Sensor – The hot wire sensor is similar to the hot film type, but uses a hot wire to sense the mass air flow instead of the hot film. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TYPES FIGURE 17 -3 This five-wire mass air flow sensor consists of a metal foil sensing unit, an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor, and the electronic module. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TYPES FIGURE 17 -4 The sensing wire in a typical hot wire mass air flow sensor. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

KARMAN VORTEX SENSORS • In 1912, a Hungarian scientist named Theodore Van Karman observed that vortexes were created when air passed over a pointed surface. • There are two basic designs of Karman Vortex air flow sensors. The two types include: – Ultrasonic. – Pressure-type. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

KARMAN VORTEX SENSORS FIGURE 17 -5 A Karman Vortex air flow sensor uses a triangle-shaped rod to create vortexes as the air flows through the sensor. The electronics in the sensor itself converts these vortexes to a digital square wave signal. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

PCM USES FOR AIR FLOW SENSORS • The PCM uses the information from the air flow sensor for the following purposes: – Air flow sensors are used mostly to determine the amount of fuel needed and base pulse-width numbers. • The greater the mass of the incoming air, the longer the injectors are pulsed on. – Air flow sensors back up the TP sensor in the event of a loss of signal or an inaccurate throttle position sensor signal. • If the MAF sensor fails, then the PCM will calculate the fuel delivery needs of the engine based on throttle position and engine speed (RPM). Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

TESTING MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS • Start the testing of a MAF sensor by performing a thorough visual inspection. • Look at all the hoses that direct and send air, especially between the MAF sensor and the throttle body. • Also check the electrical connector for: – Corrosion – Terminals that are bent or pushed out of the plastic connector – Frayed wiring Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

TESTING MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS • MAF Sensor Output Test • Tap Test • Digital Meter Test of a MAF Sensor Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

WHAT IS FALSE AIR? FIGURE 17 -6 Carefully check the hose between the MAF sensor and the throttle plate for cracks or splits that could create extra (false) air into the engine that is not measured by the MAF sensor. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

MAF SENSOR CONTAMINATION • Dirt, oil, silicon, or even spider webs can coat the sensing wire. – Because it tends to insulate the sensing wire at low air flow rates, a contaminated sensor often overestimates the amount of air entering the engine at idle, and therefore causes the fuel system to go rich. • At higher engine speeds near wideopen throttle (WOT), the contamination cause the sensor to underestimate the amount of air entering the engine. – As a result, the fuel system will go lean, causing spark knock and lack of power concerns. • To check for contamination, check the fuel trim numbers. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

THE RICH RUNNING TOYOTA FIGURE 17 -7 (a) Air flow sensor with the protective cover removed. (b) Broken air flow vane return spring. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

MAF-RELATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES • The diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) associated with the mass air flow and air vane sensors include: Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

SUMMARY 1. A mass air flow sensor actually measures the density and amount of air flowing into the engine, which results in accurate engine control. 2. An air vane sensor measures the volume of the air, and the intake air temperature sensor is used by the PCM to calculate the mass of the air entering the engine. 3. A hot wire MAF sensor uses the electronics in the sensor itself to heat a wire 70°C above the temperature of the air entering the engine. Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. How does a hot film MAF sensor work? 2. What type of voltage signal is produced by a MAF? 3. What change in the signal will occur if engine speed is increased? 4. How is a MAF sensor tested? 5. What is the purpose of a MAF sensor? 6. What are the types of air flow sensors? Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 1. A fuel-injection system that does not use a sensor to measure the amount (or mass) of air entering the engine is usually called a(n) _____ type of system. a) b) c) d) Air vane-controlled Speed density Mass air flow Hot wire Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 2. Which type of sensor uses a burn-off circuit? a) b) c) d) Hot wire MAF sensor Hot film MAF sensor Vane-type air flow sensor Both a and b Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 3. Which sensor has a switch that controls the electric fuel pump? a) b) c) d) VAF Hot wire MAF Hot filter MAF Karman Vortex sensor Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 4. Two technicians are discussing Karman Vortex sensors. Technician A says that they contain a burn-off circuit to keep them clean. Technician B says that they contain a movable vane. Which technician is correct? a) b) c) d) Technician A only Technician B only Both Technicians A and B Neither Technician A nor B Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 5. The typical MAF reading on a scan tool with the engine at idle speed and normal operating temperature is _____. a) b) c) d) 1 to 3 grams per second 3 to 7 grams per second 8 to 12 grams per second 14 to 24 grams per second Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 6. Two technicians are diagnosing a poorly running engine. There are no diagnostic trouble codes. When the MAF sensor is unplugged, the engine runs better. Technician A says that this means that the MAF is supplying incorrect air flow information to the PCM. Technician B says that this indicates that the PCM is defective. Which technician is correct? a) b) c) d) Technician A only Technician B only Both Technicians A and B Neither Technician A nor B Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 7. A MAF sensor on a General Motors 3800 V-6 is being tested for contamination. Technician A says that the sensor should show over 100 grams per second on a scan tool display when the accelerator is depressed to WOT on a running engine. Technician B says that the output frequency should exceed 7, 000 Hz when the accelerator pedal is depressed to WOT on a running engine. Which technician is correct? a) b) c) d) Technician A only Technician B only Both Technicians A and B Neither Technician A nor B Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 8. Which air flow sensor has a dampening chamber? a) b) c) d) A vane airflow A hot film MAF A hot wire MAF A Karman Vortex Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 9. Air that enters the engine without passing through the air flow sensor is called _____. a) b) c) d) Bypass air Dirty air False air Measured air Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

CHAPTER QUIZ 10. A P 0102 DTC is being discussed. Technician A says that a sensor circuit shorted-to-ground can be the cause. Technician B says that an open sensor voltage supply circuit could be the cause. Which technician is correct? a) b) c) d) Technician A only Technician B only Both Technicians A and B Neither Technician A nor B Automotive Fuel and Emissions Control Systems, 2/e By James D. Halderman and Jim Linder © 2009 Pearson Higher Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall - Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458