How To Repair A Toyota Tacoma Maf Sensor

The mass airflow sensor (usually abbreviated to MAF) is i of the most important engine management sensors. A bad mass airflow sensor tin exit your Toyota Tacoma'southward engine running rough, or fifty-fifty inoperable.

A MAF sensor measures the density of the air entering the intake manifold. It passes this information onto your Tacoma'south ECU. The ECU uses this data along with other sensor information to control the corporeality of fuel that enters the combustion bedchamber.

Bad MAF Sensor Toyota Tacoma

If you do determine that you need a new mass airflow sensor, they aren't too expensive. And, most of the fourth dimension they are right by the air box and easy to supplant.

Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor Symptoms: Toyota Tacoma

When the mass airflow sensor has gone bad, you'll definitely feel it. Here are the most common symptoms of a bad or failing MAF sensor:

Idle Problems– Your Tacoma may run rich or lean when idling, or it may likewise idle erratically. A rich condition is when there is non enough air relative to the fuel in the air/fuel mixture. The exhaust color is usually darker when running rich. A lean condition is when there is too much air relative to fuel in the air fuel mixture. The frazzle color usually doesn't change.
Hard to Showtime– Without knowing the proper amount of air inbound into the intake, it tin can be really difficult for the engine to start. And when information technology does, it doesn't unremarkably run very well.
Jerking– As yous go downwardly the road, you lot'll feel your Tacoma actually wiggle and hesitate as the engine speed changes erratically. It's bad for your motor mounts when this happens. Also, jerking can be caused past bad spark plugs or coil packs.
Decreased Fuel Mileage– Fuel mileage can suffer without the proper air/fuel mixture.

Toyota Tacoma Bad Mass Airflow Sensor Diagnosis — Here a couple of mutual MAF sensor styles

Tacoma Bad MAF Sensor Diagnosis

If the MAF sensor has gone bad, information technology'll trigger the check engine low-cal and provide an OBDII trouble code. This is great considering it helps y'all narrow down the problem. The two most mutual trouble codes in relation to the MAF sensor are:

Toyota Tacoma P0101 Diagnosis: MAF Sensor
Toyota Tacoma P0102: MAF Sensor Circuit Low

There are other codes related to the mass air menses sensor as well, but these are the most mutual ones. Here's a fantastic video on how to diagnose a bad MAF sensor using a multimeter from Ratchets and Wrenches on YouTube.

Cleaning the Mass Airflow Sensor

Often, the mass airflow sensor really simply needs cleaning when they go bad. Some folks recommend using alcohol because it's usually on hand, and tin clean the sensor. This is a bad thought, it tin can ruin the sensor. Uses mass airflow sensor cleaner. It's really inexpensive and available at any parts store. It sure beats the heck out of having to buy a new sensor.

Locate the MAF Sensor– It'll be in between the air filter and the throttle body.
Remove the Sensor- Take care not to damage the wiring harness or the connector pins that receive the harness in the MAF. Elementary mitt tools will exist all that yous need to consummate the job.
Clean the Sensor– Now that you've removed your Tacoma'southward MAF sensor, it's time to clean it. You lot'll demand the MAF cleaner. You are non scrubbing anything. Let the chemicals practise their chore. About a dozen small bursts volition be all that you need.
Replace the Sensor

Conclusion

Replacing a bad MAF sensor can make your Tacoma feel like a new vehicle. Skilful luck with the diagnosis. If there is anything that yous would like to add together, please experience gratis to leave a comment beneath.