GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2000 🢒 Savana 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0103 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit High Frequency

Object Number: 600896 Size: SF
Engine Controls Components
Sensor Controls: MAF, EGR, and EVAP
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
VCM Connector End Views
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The mass air flow (MAF) sensor is an air flow meter. The control module supplies the MAF sensor a signal circuit. An ignition positive voltage circuit and a ground circuit are supplied to the MAF sensor by independent circuits. The MAF sensor heats a wire element, or grid, within the MAF sensor in order to maintain a calculated temperature. As inlet air flows across and cools the grid, the MAF sensor increases current flow to the grid in order to maintain the constant grid temperature. The MAF sensor converts the grid current flow into a frequency signal. The control module converts the MAF signal frequency into a grams per second value. During low air flow rates, such as at engine idle, the MAF sensor produces a low frequency signal. During high air flow rates, such as at wide open throttle-road load, the MAF sensor increases the frequency signal. The control module monitors the MAF sensor signal frequency in order to calculate the flow and mass of the air entering the engine.

This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is designed in order to detect an unusually high MAF sensor signal frequency. If the vehicle control module (VCM) detects a MAF signal frequency above the possible range of a normally operating MAF sensor, this DTC will be set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Power Up Test

    • The engine is off.
    • The ignition is ON for 2 seconds.

High Frequency Test

    • The engine speed is more than 300 RPM.
    • The engine run time is more than 2 seconds.
    • System voltage is more than 10 volts.
    • The throttle position is less than 50 percent.
    • The above conditions present for more than 2 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

Power Up Test

The MAF frequency is more than 11000 kHz for more than 250 ms.

High Frequency Test

The MAF frequency is more than 10400 kHz for more than 4 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) if a failure is detected during 2 consecutive key cycles.
    • The control module sets the DTC and records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic failed. The failure information is stored in the scan tool Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL or DTC
    • The control module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has run and passed.
    • A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles. A warm-up cycle occurs when the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the startup coolant temperature and the engine coolant reaches a temperature that is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle.
    • Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • A misrouted harness -- Inspect the MAF sensor harness in order to ensure that it is not routed too close to the high voltage wires such as spark plug leads.
    • A damaged harness -- Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the MAF sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault.

An intermittent may be caused by any of the following conditions:

    • A poor connection
    • Rubbed through wire insulation
    • A broken wire inside the insulation

Thoroughly inspect any circuitry that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

If a repair is necessary, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step verifies that the problem is present at idle.

    2.

  2. A frequency reading with the MAF sensor connector disconnected indicates an electromagnetic interference (EMI) related fault or a poor connection.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Start the engine.
  2. With the engine idling, monitor the MAF reading on the scan tool.

Is the MAF reading above the specified value?

20 g/s

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3
  1. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Review the scan tool Failure Records data.
  3. Record the scan tool Failure Records data.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Failure Records conditions as noted.
  5. Using a scan tool, monitor the Specific DTC information for DTC P0103.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0103 Failed This Ignition?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the MAF sensor connector.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, allowing the engine to idle.
  4. Monitor the MAF on the scan tool.

Is the MAF reading at the specified value?

0.0 g/s

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 7

5
  1. Check for a poor connection at the MAF sensor harness terminals.
  2. If a poor connection is found, repair the circuit as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a poor connection found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 6

6

Replace the MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 10

--

7
  1. Perform the following MAF sensor harness checks for incorrect routing near:
    2. • Secondary ignition wires or coils
    • Other high voltage components, such as solenoids, relays, motors
  2. If an incorrect routing is found, correct the harness routing.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 8

8
  1. Check the MAF signal circuit terminal connections at the VCM.
  2. If a poor connection is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a poor connection found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

9

Important: The replacement VCM must by programmed.

Replace the VCM. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 10

--

10
  1. Using the scan tool, clear the DTCs.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Allow the engine to idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
  4. Select DTC and the Specific DTC function.
  5. Enter the DTC number which was set.
  6. Operate the vehicle, within the Conditions for Setting this DTC, until the scan tool indicates the diagnotic Ran.

Does the scan tool indicate that the diagnostic Passed?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 2

11

Use the scan tool in order to display the Capture Info and the Review Capture Info function.

Are there any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK