Every vehicle has various sensors. The mass airflow sensor helps the car to run perfectly. It is a very important component of a car.
MAF is a device that helps the engine to know the exact amount of air-fuel mixture that it needs for the car operate optimally.
It does this by measuring the mass of air flowing through it. A faulty mass airflow sensor can lead to bad fuel economy issues, rough idling, and so on. It can also trigger the check engine light.
The big question now is whether your car can run or not if the mass airflow sensor is unplugged?
We are going to look at driving with mass air flow sensor unplugged situation-ship and what will happen if the MAF sensor is unplugged.
The main importance of the mass airflow sensor is that it measures the exact amount of air that the engine of a car needs for the car to transfer the proper measurement of gas into the engine.
This sensor helps a car to run correctly and effectively.
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Why would a car run better with the mass airflow sensor unplugged?
The mass airflow sensor is one of the most important sensors in the car and it functions to help the car run perfectly. With all its importance, what will happen if it is unplugged? Will the car stop functioning?
The simple answer is capital NO! A car will not stop working if the MAF sensor gets unplugged. It will continue to work normally without any hindrances. If the mass airflow sensor is damaged or is giving a wrong reading then, unplugging it may make the car work better.
If the car computer does not get any reading from the mass airflow sensor, it will make estimates and transfer a supposed number.
The computer will guess an amount which will be closer to the needed amount of air that the engine needs. So, even if the MAF sensor dies, the car will still remain up and running. The car might even run better than it did with a mass airflow sensor.
If you notice that your car is misfiring, rough idling, or having a bad fuel mixture, it is recommended you unplug the MAF sensor.
Once you unplug it, you can drive a bit and check whether it is still running as it should, or not. If the car is running perfectly then, the MAF sensor is faulty.
However, if it does not, then you will have to check other sensors. Cleaning the MAF sensor is a way to get it working correctly.
However, if cleaning it does not help, then it might be time for a replacement.
Even though the car will work perfectly without the mass airflow sensor, it should not be driven for a long period. You should try to replace it as soon as possible.
Why will a car die when MAF is plugged in?
The mass airflow sensor is one of the most important sensors in the vehicle. It helps the vehicle to run perfectly and provides the correct measurement of air that the car engine needs to run smoothly.
There should be no problem whatsoever if the right MAF is plugged into the car. However, if your car dies after plugging in the MAF sensor, the only explanation for that is that the sensor is faulty.
It is either providing the incorrect amount of air amount or temperature to the electronic control unit.
If you notice the MAF sensor is not working as it should then, unplug it for the car will work better. There are different types of MAF sensors.
You can clean some sensors, while other cannot be cleaned, they will need immediate replacement.
When cleaning the sensor, make sure you do not use any harmful chemicals to avoid burning the wires.
Even though the car can work perfectly well without plugging in the mass airflow sensor, you should not use it for a longer time without replacing it.
Take the car in for a mechanic to make the replacement. It does not take much time; you will have your vehicle ready as fast as possible.
Can you drive with a bad mass airflow sensor?
The answer to this question is capital YES. You can drive a car with a bad MAF even though it is not advisable.
A vehicle with a faulty MAF can work for a little while but driving it for a long time will end badly.
If you continue to neglect the faulty MAF, it can lead to a severe problem like engine damage. Repairing a MAF is about $200 while getting a new engine is $7500.
Unless you want to spend more, you should stop neglecting a bad mass airflow sensor and take it in for repair.
Some of the signs you might look out for are rough engine, lean idling, engine stalling or hesitating, and so on.
A faulty mass airflow sensor is one of the problems that could trigger the check engine light. If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, you should check your MAF sensor.
Try to clean a dirty or dusty MAF if you have knowledge of how to do it otherwise, you will have to seek the services of a professional.
You might need to clean the sensor or replace it. Whatever option you opt for, make sure you do not drive with a bad mass airflow sensor.
What happens if you unplug a MAF sensor?
If you feel the reason why your car is not functioning perfectly is due to a fault in your MAF sensor, you can unplug the sensor.
If the car works perfectly, the MAF is the cause but if it does not then, it may be one of the other sensors.
Unplugging the MAF sensor does nothing to the car. The car will not stop working and you can use it perfectly well.
The computer will guess the amount of air it needs and this will be better than a situation where your bad MAF is giving a totally wrong value.
However, it is not advisable to drive a car without the MAF sensor. You will need to get it fixed.
Conclusion
You can drive your car perfectly well with the mass airflow sensor unplugged. To make sure your car stays in perfect condition, always watch out for any symptoms in order to determine whether your MAF sensor is faulty or not.
Once you notice the signs of a bad mass airflow sensor, get it fixed immediately.
What to Read Next:
Hi dear, I am Gift Dennis I have been working as a Radiographer for over 8 years, but I switch my profession to what I love which is auto body part repairs and I recently got my automotive diploma last August 2020 as an auto-body repair technician. I love fitness and everything about cars, so here is where I share my expertise and experiences with those who wish to hear about them.