GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0102 00: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit Low Frequency

DTC P0103 00: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit High Frequency

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition Voltage

P0030 00, P0036 00, P0102 00, P0135 00, P0141 00, P0443 00, P0597 00, P0598 00

P0102 00, P01026 00

--

P0101 00, P0103 00

MAF Sensor Signal

P0102 00

P0102 00

P0102 00

P0068 00, P0101 00, P0103 00, P1101 00

Ground

--

P0102 00

--

--

Typical Scan Tool Data

MAF Sensor

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Engine running at various operating conditions

Parameter Normal Range: 1700 to 2100 Hz at idle

Ignition Voltage

0 Hz

0 Hz

--

MAF Sensor Signal

0 Hz

0 Hz

0 Hz

Ground

--

0 Hz

--

Circuit/System Description

The mass air flow (MAF) sensor is integrated with the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor. The MAF sensor is an air flow meter that measures the amount of air entering the engine. The engine control module (ECM) uses the MAF sensor signal to provide the correct fuel delivery for all engine speeds and loads. A small quantity of air entering the engine indicates a deceleration or idle condition. A large quantity of air entering the engine indicates an acceleration or high load condition.

The ECM applies 5 V to the MAF sensor on the MAF sensor signal circuit. The sensor uses the voltage to produce a frequency based on the inlet air flow through the sensor bore.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine is running for greater than 1 s.
    • The engine speed is greater than 300 RPM.
    • The ignition voltage is greater than 10 V.
    • The DTCs run continuously when the above conditions are met for greater than 1 s.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0102 00

The ECM detects that the MAF sensor signal is less than 900 Hz (0 g/s) for greater than 5 s.

P0103 00

The ECM detects that the MAF sensor signal is greater than 11000 Hz (179 g/s) for greater than 5 s.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0102 00 and P0103 00 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0102 00 and P0103 00 are Type B DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

    • Inspect the harness of the MAF sensor to verify that it is not routed too close to the following components:
       - The ignition coils
       - Any solenoids
       - Any relays
       - Any motors
    • Inspect for any contamination, water intrusion, or debris on the sensing elements of the MAF sensor. If debris is present, clean the sensor. If the sensor cannot be cleaned, replace the sensor.
    • A high resistance may cause a driveability concern before this DTC sets.
    • A MAF sensor that is installed incorrectly may set this DTC.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

EL-38522 Variable Signal Generator

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Engine idling, observe the DTC information with a scan tool. DTC P0102 00 or P0103 00 should not set.
  2. Verify the scan tool MAF sensor Hz parameter is between 1700 to 2100 Hz.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the freeze frame / failure records data.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the B75B Mass Air Flow (MAF)/Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 Ω between the ground circuit terminal 2 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, repair the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, test for B+ between the ignition voltage circuit terminal 4 and ground.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the ignition voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. Test for 4.8 to 5.2 V between the signal circuit terminal 5 and ground.
  7. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM).
    If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM).
  8. Ignition OFF, connect the red lead of the EL-38522 Variable Signal Generator to the signal circuit terminal 5 at the MAF/IAT sensor harness connector. Connect the battery voltage supply to B+, and ground the black lead.
  9. Set the EL-38522 Variable Signal Generator to the following specifications:
  10. • Signal switch to 5 V
    • Frequency switch to 5 K
    • Duty Cycle switch to normal

       Note: The engine will run rough and may stall.

  11. Engine idling, observe the scan tool MAF Sensor Hz parameter. The scan tool MAF Sensor parameter should be between 4950 to 5025 Hz.
  12. If not within the specified range, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM).
  13. If the circuits test normal, replace the B75B Mass Air Flow (MAF)/Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming