Q: Will the mass airflow sensor stop my car from reaching proper acceleration?

asked by on October 05, 2016

Will the mass airflow sensor stop my car from reaching proper acceleration and make it run missing?

My car has 120000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is slow to accelerate Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi, thanks for writing in. A faulty mass airflow sensor can certainly effect power, performance, and economy. If the engine computer does not read the mass airflow or any other sensor, it relies on basic settings to run. It does not adjust for temperature, airflow, etc. Here at YourMechanic, we can have a technician come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose any issues your car may have, and make or suggest the necessary repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I turn off incoming text message announcements on Uconnect?
If you don’t want Uconnect to let you know every time that your paired cell phone has a new text message, you can turn off the announcements. To do so, press the Uconnect phone button, which looks like a telephone...
What does the heat error warning mean?
When the CD player is in use and gives you the Heat Error warning, then the CD player is operating at too high of a temperature. Turn off the audio system, and give the CD player sufficient time to cool...
Car cannot shift gears while idling in traffic
I'm assuming you are talking about standard transmission. If that's the case, either your clutch slave cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-clutch-slave-cylinder) or master cylinder is going out. Check to see if it is leaking any fluid and check if it feels mushy. If...
can i charge my car battery with car cables still connected and charger machine on
You should not have a problem as long as you charge at a low rate and do not turn on the key while charger is on. A lot of people use a trickle charger to keep their battery topped off...
Vibration during acceleration
Hello there, vibrations issues are a common problem with your 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. The most common causes of vibration are wheel and tire balance, engine mounts, misfire condition, control arms, or the struts. A qualified technician such as one from...
will a water pump fail without the temperature light showing?
When a water pump fails, it usually fails by seizing up. It is possible for a water pump to seize up without having any warning lights illuminated. Many times the water pump will make a noise because the bully is...
My Toyota is making a noise when I start the engine and bogs the engine down for a second then goes away.
Hi there. A binding accessory could be causing your concern. Simply remove the drive belt and recheck. If the problem goes away, this eliminates the fear that there could be something goin on with the engine or transmission internally. It...
how hard would it be to change a solenoid? 2003 Jeep Liberty
Hi there - replacing shift solenoids (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-downshift-solenoid) generally involve draining transmission fluid, removing the pan and filter from the transmission, and sometimes, removal of the valve body of the transmission as well. This can be fairly involved, but still less...
RPM’s fluctuate while idle
Hi Tyler. Thanks for sending in your question tonight. Assuming your AC is turned off, this type of problem can occur due to a few different issues. The most common reason is that the idle control valve is sticking or...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 BMW 7-Series
When When power, performance and luxury are at the top of your list, the 2012 BMW 7-Series is sure to be a perfect fit. From the stylish design to two length options for enhanced comfort, three available engines and two...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Mass Airflow Sensor
Common signs of problems with a mass airflow sensor include running rich at idle or lean under load, decrease in fuel efficiency, and rough idles.
How to Replace a Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor (MAF) helps the engine's computer maintain optimal combustion. Signs of failure include a rough idle and the car running rich.