How To Test The Ford MAF Sensor (4.2L, 4.6L, 5.4L)

Testing the MAF (Granddonkey Air Flow) sensor on your Ford truck or SUV or total size van is a very unproblematic and easy affair. This commodity will walk yous through the whole process without removing the MAF sensor from the engine. Every bit you may already know, the MAF sensor is inside the round air filter canister assembly and this commodity will teach you how to test information technology.

The MAF sensor test/diagnostic can be accomplished in four like shooting fish in a barrel steps using a multimeter. Y'all don't even need a scan tool! Below yous'll find important pre-test info that'll speed up the diagnostic procedure.

If you're looking for the article on how to test the Ford MAF sensor that's not inside the air filter canister assembly, go here: How To Examination Ford MAF Sensors Using A Multimeter.

OK, one last thing earlier we spring into the test, if you lot're diagnosing a 4.6L or five.4L selection upwards or SUV, permit me but make you enlightened where you can find a consummate list of 4.6L and 5.4L 'How To Examination' articles that are located in this Web Site and at troubleshootmyvehicle.com and this list is found here: Ford four.6L, 5.4L Index Of Manufactures.

En Español You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar El MAF Ford (four.2L, 4.6L, v.4L) (at: autotecnico-online.com).

Mutual Symptoms Of A Bad Ford MAF Sensor

This list covers the bulk of symptoms I've seen on these types of Ford mass air period sensors:

  1. MAF Codes that light up the check engine light (CEL) on your instrument cluster.
    1. P0102: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit Low Input.
    2. P0103: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit High Input.
  2. MAF sensor malfunction that DOES NOT calorie-free upward the check engine light (CEL).
  3. Lean and/or Rich lawmaking(s).
  4. Fuel Trim lawmaking(s).
  5. A tremendous lack of power upon dispatch.
  6. Black fume coming from the tail-piping.
  7. Bad gas mileage.
  8. Vehicle may idle rough and stall.

Is My Ford MAF Sensor Only Dirty?

Is My Ford MAF Sensor Just Dirty? How To Test The Ford MAF Sensor (4.2L, 4.6L, 5.4L)

MAF sensors have a tremendous tendency to go dirty and cause several headaches that may include: bad gas mileage, higher emissions, and/or lack of power. For the most part, when one is muddy, the truck, or van or SUV seems to drive OK, but not with the same peppiness as before. So how practise I diagnose a dirty/contaminated Ford MAF sensor? Well:

  1. I'll take a quick look before I showtime my diagnostic and run across if the two hot-wires (that brand upwardly the MAF sensor) are dirty. Past dirty I hateful 'contaminated' (to use an industry standard term). To see an case of this: Dingy MAF Sensor Example.
  2. Or, I'll examination it first following the guidelines gear up in this article, to come across if it's producing a MAF signal.
  3. If it is producing a signal, but the betoken's response is too boring to changes in throttle position, and so I know to look into cleaning information technology.

Why does it get dingy/contaminated? Well, it's usually due to an air filter non performing its job or the round plastic canister assembly, that holds the air filter, is broken or not sealing correctly. The Ford MAF sensors are some of the easiest MAF sensor to clean. To run into/read the step by step instructions on how to make clean this type of Ford MAF sensor in the circular air filter canister, click hither: Cleaning The Ford Canister Type MAF Sensor.

Checking The MAF Sensor Hot-Wires For Contamination. How To Test The Ford MAF Sensor (4.2L, 4.6L, 5.4L)

Air Leaks Wreaking Havoc On MAF Sensor Control

The second most common problem I have encountered on most Fords (Mercurys and Lincolns) over the years is air leaks between the MAF sensor and the throttle trunk. It is crucial, yep very critical that you get-go check that there are no air leaks between these ii. Air entering after the mass air flow sensor into the engine will negatively impact fuel injection. And will skew the results of your tests which could result in the replacement of a skillful MAF (and in the process throwing money away).

How do you check for air leaks? With your eyes and hands. That's right, no special tools required. Just eyeball and physically shake/move the rubber air ducts that connect the MAF sensor to the throttle body to come across if it's loose or asunder.

Circuit Descriptions Of The Ford MAF Sensor's Connector

Circuit Descriptions Of The Ford MAF Sensor's Connector. How To Test The Ford MAF Sensor (4.2L, 4.6L, 5.4L)

Whether your driving a Ford, Mercury or Lincoln total size option upward (F150-F350), SUV, or full size van (E150-E350) the circuits descriptions of the wires coming out of the circular air filter canister are the same. You'll discover that the photos (in the image photo above) have the MAF connectors numbered 1 thru' 4. I'll be using these numbers for the circuit descriptions. Here's the description of each circuit below:

  1. Number 1:
    1. MAF Bespeak.
  2. Number 2:
    1. Basis that the ECM provides.
  3. Number 3:
    1. Ground.
  4. Number 4:
    1. 12 Volts.

To test these circuits you lot'll need to use a tool to pierce the wire to be tested. I recommend using a wire-piercing probe since information technology'll be the nigh effective and easiest way of getting to the signal. If you need to encounter what this tool looks like, click here: Wire-Piercing Probe. Independent of the method yous utilise, be conscientious not to damage the wire(s). Take all prophylactic precautions.

Another important thing to note is that the colour of the wires (coming out of your Ford, Lincoln or Mercury option up or SUV or van) does not matter. In other words, the circuit description/chore of the wire is the same regardless of Brand/Model and color of the wire.

Of import: All of the tests are ON CAR TESTS, do not remove the mass air flow sensor from the vehicle or from its plumbing.