Circuit Description
The DTC P0103 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit High Frequency diagnostic monitors the MAF sensor signal. The powertrain control module (PCM) uses this information to determine the operating requirements of the engine in order to control fuel delivery. The PCM calculates the engines fuel requirements by monitoring the current flow on the signal wire from the mass air flow (MAF) sensor. When the volume of air entering the MAF sensor increases, the current flow seen by the PCM from the MAF sensor also increases. When the air flow decreases, the current seen by the PCM also decreases. The MAF sensor is an integral part of the throttle body assembly.
Conditions for Running the DTC
The ignition is ON or the engine is running.
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The MAF sensor output current is more than 4.9 mA. |
| • | The condition is present for more than 5 seconds. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). |
| • | The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information is stored in the Freeze Frame buffer. |
| • | The PCM enters the Failsafe mode and determines the injector drive time and the idle air control (IAC) duty cycle according to the throttle position (TP) sensor input and the engine speed. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve operation is stopped. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The MIL turns OFF after 3 consecutively passing cycles without a fault present. |
| • | A History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault. |
| • | Perform the scan tool clear DTC Information function in order to clear the DTC. |
Diagnostic Aids
Check for any of the following conditions:
| • | The MAF sensor readings vary with the air temperature and the barometric pressure (BARO). The specifications indicated are at 20°C (68°F) and at sea level. |
| • | A misrouted wiring harness--Inspect the MAF sensor harness to ensure that the harness is not routed too close to high voltage or high amperage circuits. |
| • | A damaged wiring harness--Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the scan tool while moving the connectors and the wiring harnesses related to the MAF sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault. |
| • | Check for a plugged intake air duct or a dirty air filter element. |
If a DTC P0103 is intermittent, driving the vehicle under the following conditions can verify whether the fault is present. Perform the scan tool clear DTC information function. Road test the vehicle while monitoring the DTC P0103 diagnostic on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P0103 appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0103 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0103 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0103 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT illuminated, and there is no Pending DTC Status in DTC Information, the DTC P0103 diagnostic has passed. DTCs MUST be cleared in order to view the Current Status of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT forget that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for Current or Pending status, in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.
An intermittent malfunction may be caused by a fault in the MAF sensor circuit. Inspect the wiring harness and components for an intermittent condition. Refer to Intermittent Conditions .
If the DTC P0103 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Freeze Frame data can be useful in determining vehicle operating conditions when the DTC was first set.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers in the diagnostic table.
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The Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the Freeze Frame data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.
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This step will determine if the fault is present.
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Review Freeze Frame data to determine when the DTC set. Always record this information.
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Normal voltage at idle for the MAF sensor signal circuit should be 1-1.5 volts. This voltage reading should increase steadily to 5 volts when engine speed is increased to approximately 4,000 RPM.
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Clearing the DTCs by removing the DOME fuse also clears the PCM long term memory. Using the scan tool to clear DTCs leaves the long term memory active. DTC emitting diagnostics may not run to completion as expected unless the long term memory is cleared. Removal of the DOME fuse also clears the time display of the radio. The DTC P0103 diagnostic can be monitored on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P0103 appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0103 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0103 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0103 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT illuminated, and there is no Pending DTC Status in DTC Information, the DTC P0103 diagnostic has passed. The DTCs MUST be cleared in order to view the Current Status of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT forget that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for Current or Pending status, in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics | ||||
Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls? | -- | Go to Step 2 | ||
Is the MAF more than the specified value? | 2.5-4.6 g/s | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 3 | |
Is DTC P0103 set? | -- | Go to Step 4 | Go to Diagnostic Aids | |
4 |
Is the voltage within the specified range? | 1.5-1.8 V | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 6 |
|
Important: The MAF sensor readings vary with the air temperature and the barometric pressure. The specifications indicated are at 20°C (68°F) and sea level.
Does the voltage increase to approximately the specified value when the engine speed is increased? | 3.0 V | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 11 | |
6 |
Is the test lamp illuminated? | -- | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 8 |
7 |
Was a repair necessary? | -- | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 9 |
8 | Repair the open in the ground circuit to the MAF sensor. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 12 | -- |
9 |
Was a repair necessary? | -- | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 11 |
10 | Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 12 | -- |
11 | Replace the MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 12 | -- |
Does the DTC run and pass? | -- | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 2 | |
13 | With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info. Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed? | -- | System OK | |
