Details
Category: Check Engine Light Repair and Diagnostic Help

The mass air flow (MAF) sensor is an air flow meter that measures the amount of air entering the engine. The powertrain control module (PCM) uses the MAF sensor signal in order to provide the correct fuel delivery for a wide range of engine speeds and loads. A small quantity of air entering the engine indicates deceleration or idle.

A large quantity of air entering the engine indicates an acceleration or high load situation. The MAF sensor has an ignition 1 voltage circuit, a ground circuit and a signal circuit. The PCM applies a voltage to the sensor on the signal circuit. The sensor uses the voltage in order to produce a frequency based on inlet air flow through the sensor bore. The PCM uses the barometric pressure, air density, manifold pressure, throttle position, and the engine RPM in order to calculate a predicted MAF value. The PCM compares the actual MAF sensor signal to the predicted MAF value in order to determine if the signal is stuck based on a lack of variation, or is too low or too high for a given operating condition. DTC P0101 will set if the actual MAF sensor signal is not within a predetermined range of the calculated MAF value.
Possible causes for this code are:

  • Faulty sensor
  • Broken wires at the sensor connector. Tug on each to see if it stretches or breaks
  • Loose air intake duct or breather hose / tube between the MAF sensor and the engine
  • Dirty sensor. Try spraying cleaner inside the sensor, then take for drive to "Blow out" the cleaner

Related Auto Repair and Information

Related Automotive Information

Helpful Information


Related Articles

Please login to comment

Comments (9)
   ---Subscribe To Your Comment   

  • Guest - Dee

    Code is p0101 mass airflow sensor

  • Guest - Dee

    I had the mass airflow mount and sensor changed with the original part and The check engine light keeps coming back 3rd time, so what do I do now

  • Guest - alison gartland

    Hi I have 03 Peugeot and the yellow engine check when its on my car will not start and the stop light I always on what's wrong with it I can not depend on it

  • Guest - Andrew

    Hi I got p0101 code in a Nissan sentra I wonder what it is

  • Guest - Matt

    In reply to: Guest - Andrew

    Like this article states- sounds like you have a mass air sensor problem. You can try cleaning it, but that usually does not work. If the wiring is OK, You would have to have it replaced.

  • Guest - JIM

    I'm getting p0101 and p0131 constantly on my 2000 grand am. I seem to be lacking power sometimes, and I've had it twice now where I have no power in overdrive. I litterly have to floor it and get into passing gear to get my car to accelerate. I already changed the EGR cause I had that one coming up too. But the problem is still there

  • Guest - Frank

    In reply to: Guest - JIM

    Sound like a plugged catalytic converter. That would also be the cause of your EGR valve code.

  • Guest - gopinathan

    Sir, I own a Matiz 1999 model.My mechanic carried out engine reboring after observing heavy smoke through exhaust pipe. After reboring, the engine starts normally, but when we accelerate the engine, the fuel flow is getting chocked and the engine is not picking up .

  • Guest - Tech

    In reply to: Guest - gopinathan

    Hard to say. But sounds like your mechanic did not do something correctly. Timing could be off, bore too large, rings not seating, etc.