Air Flow Meter/Sensor: Description and Operation

280ZX, Maxima, Pathfinder, Van, 200SX, 300ZX, 1987-88 Pickup, Pulsar, Sentra, Stanza & Stanza Wagon

The air flow meter measures the mass flow rate of intake air. The control circuit produces an electrical output signal corresponding to the amount of heat dissipated from a hot wire in the stream of intake air.
The higher the temperature of the wire, the higher its resistance value. The varying air flow over the wire changes the temperature and resistance of the wire. The air flow meter transmits a voltage to the control unit where the output is converted into an intake air signal.