Circuit Description
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 a deceleration or idle. A large quantity of air entering the engine indicates an acceleration or high load condition. The MAF sensor has the following circuits:
| • | An ignition 1 voltage circuit |
| • | A ground circuit |
| • | 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 frequency varies within a range of around 2,000 Hertz at idle to about 10,000 Hertz at maximum engine load. The PCM uses the following sensor inputs in order to calculate a predicted MAF value:
| • | The barometric pressure (BARO) at key ON |
| • | The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) |
| • | The intake air temperature (IAT) |
| • | The throttle position (TP) |
| • | The engine speed (RPM) |
The PCM compares the actual MAF sensor frequency signal to the predicted MAF value. This comparison will 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 sets if the actual MAF sensor frequency signal is not within a predetermined range of the calculated MAF value.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | DTCs P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0122, P0123, P1441 are not set. |
| • | DTC P0401 is inactive. |
| • | The engine is running. |
| • | The ignition 1 signal is between 11 volts and 18 volts. |
| • | The MAP sensor is less than 59 kPa. |
| • | The change in the MAP sensor is less than 4 kPa. |
| • | The TP sensor angle is less than 48 percent. |
| • | The change in the TP sensor angle is less than 3 percent. |
| • | The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) position sensor is less than 90 percent. |
| • | The evaporative emission (EVAP) purge solenoid command is less than 90 percent. |
| • | The traction control is inactive (if equipped). |
| • | The above conditions are met for more than 10 seconds. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The PCM detects that the actual MAF sensor frequency signal is not within a predetermined range of the calculated MAF value.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails. |
| • | The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail. |
| • | A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes. |
| • | A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic. |
| • | Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
Inspect for the following conditions:
| • | An incorrectly routed harness--Inspect the harness of the MAF sensor in order to verify that the harness is not routed too close to the following components: |
| - | The ignition cassette |
| - | Any solenoids |
| - | Any relays |
| - | Any motors |
| • | Any aftermarket accessories--Refer to Checking Aftermarket Accessories in Wiring Systems. |
| • | Any excessive deposits on the throttle plate or in the throttle bore |
| • | A low minimum air rate through the sensor bore may cause this DTC to set at idle or during deceleration. Inspect for any vacuum leak downstream of the MAF sensor |
| • | A skewed or stuck TP sensor. |
| • | A wide-open throttle acceleration from a stop should cause the MAF sensor g/s display on the scan tool to increase rapidly. This increase should be from 3-10 g/s at idle to 190 g/s or more at the time of the 1-2 shift. If the increase is not observed, inspect for a restriction in the induction system or the exhaust system. |
| • | The BARO that is used in order to calculate the predicted mass air flow value is initially based on the MAP sensor at key ON. When the engine is running the BARO value is continually updated near wide-open throttle (WOT). A skewed MAP sensor will cause the calculated MAF value to be inaccurate. The value shown for the MAP sensor display varies with the altitude. With the ignition ON and the engine OFF, 101 kPa is the approximate value near sea level. This value will decrease by approximately 3 kPa for every 305 meters (1,000 feet) of altitude. |
| • | High resistance on the ground circuit of the MAP sensor can cause this DTC to set. |
| • | Any loss of vacuum to the MAP sensor can cause this DTC to set. |
If you suspect the condition may be related to aftermarket accessories, refer to Checking Aftermarket Accessories in Wiring Systems.
If the condition is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions .
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
-
This step will determine if the MAP sensor voltage is within the proper range at idle.
-
This step will determine if the MAP sensor responds properly to the change in manifold pressure.
-
This step will determine if the TP sensor is operating properly.
-
This step will determine if any mechanical faults have caused this DTC to set.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls? | -- | Go to Step 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2 |
Important: If DTC P0101 and P0121 are both set, proceed to Step 4 .
Does the scan tool display any other DTCs set? | -- | Go to Step 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
3 |
Does the DTC fail this ignition? | -- | Go to Step 4 | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Is the MAP sensor voltage within the specified range? | 0.8-2.2 V | Go to Step 5 | Go to DTC P0106 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Does the MAP sensor kPa change smoothly and gradually through the specified range of the test? | -- | Go to Step 6 | Go to DTC P0106 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Does the scan tool indicate that the TP sensor angle changed from the first value to the second value? | 0-100% | Go to Step 7 | Go to DTC P0121 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Inspect for the following conditions:
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
8 | Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the MAF sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
9 | Replace the MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor/Intake Air Temperature Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 10 | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||
10 |
Does the DTC run and pass? | -- | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
11 | With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info. Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed? | -- | System OK | |||||||||||||||||||||||
