Why Would a Car Run Better With the Mass Air Flow Sensor Unplugged

If you are an automobile enthusiast, you probably wondered .why would a car run better with the mass air flow sensor unplugged?

The car only ran better after unplugging because the sensor had a problem. The engine control unit (ECU) falls back and sets the value when the mass airflow sensors are not plugged.

In this regard, a faulty sensor means inaccurate readings; unplugging it will make the car run better because the engine will depend on programmed tables.

Therefore, if you notice an increase in performance after unplugging the sensor, the MAF sensor is likely to have initially caused the problem.

For more information, read this article further!

The Function of Mass Air Flow Sensor

A MAF sensor determines the air quantity that enters the engine to decide the fuel amount transmitted in the cylinders.

The mixture of fuel and air helps complete the process of combustion, which makes the car keep moving smoothly. So, in case the sensor has a fault, it will give wrong readings, thus the need to unplug it.

There are different mass airflow sensors, and they all apply different methods to determine the density and volume of air that enters the engine.

Why Unplug The Mass Air Flow Sensor?

Here are the three major reasons you should unplug the sensor;

• To see if the mass airflow sensor is functioning well.
• To check if the other sensors in your car are working right.
• To see whether the computer module is working correctly.

In this regard, if you unplug the MAF sensor and your car continue working or function even better than before, it shows a fault with the mass airflow sensor.

However, if you unplug the MAF sensor and the car dies, other sensors or computers have a problem and are not functioning properly.

Step by Step on Unplugging the Mass Air-Flow Sensor

There is no switch to disable a mass airflow sensor, so unplugging is the only way to disable it.

Some of the signs to look out for a sensor include;

• Hesitation when you try accelerating
• Rough idling of the engine
• Halting of the engine for seconds when starting
• The engine makes hiccupping sounds

If you notice the above signs, chances are you have a faulty mass airflow sensor. I would advise you to get a dealer to check your car to become certain of what you are fixing.

Here are the steps to unplugging the MAF sensor;

1. Park your car in a safe place and allow the engine to cool down. Do not rush at this point because the engine can sometimes get very hot.
2. If you are a car enthusiast and familiar with your engine layout, it will be easy for you to locate the MAF sensor. It is square, connected with an airflow tube, and is situated to the rear of the air filter housing.
3. Go after the intake tube until it connects with the mass airflow It might be a tricky procedure, but you will see the connected MAF sensor if you are keen enough.
4. Disconnect the bolts attaching the MAF sensor to the intake tubing.
5. To disable the MAF sensor completely, unplug the electrical connections since the sensor does not function with no powe Here, follow the sensor’s wiring until the point it attaches to the electrical system.
6. You can now go on and disconnect the connection. This procedure does not need any special tools and has no side effects. So squeeze off the terminals.
7. Carefully remove the sensor. Ensure you don’t damage it because you might install it back later.

What Happens When You Unplug the MAF Sensor

When you unplug the airflow sensor, it makes the engine control unit do calculations to determine the amount of fuel to be transmitted to the cylinders.

Although you will likely notice a change in efficiency compared to using a good sensor, it is better to unplug it than use a faulty one.

Therefore, if you wonder whether you can drive your car after unplugging your sensor or not afford a new one, you can still drive without it. However, I highly discourage driving without a sensor because it can be dangerous.

Why Would a Car Run Better With the Mass Air Flow Sensor Unplugged?

Faulty mass airflow sensor leads to incorrect readings to the computer, affecting the ratio of fuel and air in the engine, ultimately affecting your car’s performance.

In such a circumstance, when the MAF sensor is unplugged, the computer does not get inaccurate readings and will now rely on its programmed tables. The programmed tables will push a more accurate fuel volume, leading to great combustion, making the car run better.

However, the car does not always work better on unplugging the sensor. For instance, if the sensor was functioning properly and another element had an issue, the car would likely die on unplugging the MAF sensor.

If the car dies, it shows that the MAF was responsible for the proper functioning of the vehicle. It can also imply that the computer cannot get the programmed tables and relies on the MAF sensor for readings.

At the same time, if the computer does not have a fault, others sensors might be the problem.

Conclusion

A car will likely run better with the mass airflow unplugged if the MAF has a fault. However, it is not something you should plan to rely on for the long term.

You might unplug the mass airflow, and the car dies if the sensor did not have an issue and other elements like the computer and other sensor had a problem.

When the sensor is functioning properly, it communicates to the computer the amount of fuel to push depending on the engine’s capacity. Therefore, it is not advisable to run the car with the sensor unplugged if it has a fault.

Instead, you should unplug the sensor, clean it, and have it fixed or replaced by a professional for perfect performance.