Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

With Manufacturer's Scan Tool



Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor, Checking

NOTE: Only gold-plated terminals can be used to repair terminals in the connector for the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

Special tools, test equipment and auxiliary items
- VAG 1551 scan tool or VAG 1552 mobile scan tool with VAG 1551/3B cable
- VAG 1598/31 test box
- VAG 1526 hand multimeter or VAG 1715 multimeter
- VAG 1594 adapter set
- Electrical Wiring Diagram

Test conditions






- All fuses must be OK
- Battery voltage must be at least 11.5 V
- Fuel pump relay must be OK
- All electrical accessories, e.g. lights and rear window defroster must be switched off
- If the vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, it must be turned off
- On vehicles with automatic transmission: selector lever in "P" or "N" position
- Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) must be at least 80 °C, see display group 04, display zone 3

Test sequence
- Connect VAG 1551 scan tool ((VAG 1552). Start engine and select "Address word" 01 of Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) -J220-. Engine must be running at idle speed. (Connecting scan tool and selecting Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) -J220-). [1][2][3]Connecting VAG 1551 Scan Tool

Indicated on display

Rapid data transfer HELP
Select function XX


- Press buttons -0- and -8- for function "Read measuring value block" and confirm entry with -Q- button.

Indicated on display

Read measuring value block
Input display group number XXX


- Press buttons -0-, -0- and -2- for "Display group number 2" and confirm entry with -Q- button.

Indicated on display (1 to 4 = Display zones)

Read measuring value block 2 ->
1 2 3 4


- Check Mass Air Flow drawn in in display zone 4:

Specification: 2.0 to 4.5 g/s






- If value is as specified but DTC memory has recorded a DTC relating to Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, test power supply to Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

If the specification is not obtained:
- Check signal and Ground (GND) wires for Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

If the specification is obtained:
- Press -> button.
- Press buttons -0- and -6- for function "End output" and confirm entry with -Q- button.
- Switch off ignition.

Testing power supply to Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor -G70-






- Disconnect 5-pin connector -1- from Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor -G70- arrow.






- Connect multimeter to measure voltage on connector terminal 2 and engine Ground (GND).
- Start engine and run at idle speed.

Specification: 11.0 to 15.0 V

If no voltage is present:
- Switch off ignition.
- Check wire between 5-pin connector terminal 2 and Fuel Pump (FP) Relay -J17- for open circuit using Electrical Wiring Diagram.

Wire resistance: max. 1.5 Ohms

If the voltage supply and wiring is OK:






- Connect multimeter to measure voltage on connector terminal 4 and engine Ground (GND).
- Switch on ignition.

Specification: 4.5 to 5.5 V

If no voltage is present:
- Switch off ignition.
- Check signal and Ground (GND) wires.

Testing signal and Ground (GND) wires for Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor -G70-
- Remove inner plenum chamber cover, left






- Connect VAG 1598/31 test box to control module wiring harness. Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) -J220- is not connected by this action.






- Check wiring for open circuit between test box and 5-pin connector using Electrical Wiring Diagram.
- terminal 5 + socket 29
- terminal 4 + socket 53
- terminal 3 + socket 27
- Wire resistance: Max. 1.5 Ohms
- Additionally check wires all for short to one another.

Specification: Infinity Ohms

- Check wiring additionally for short circuit to battery positive/Ground (GND).

NOTE: Socket 1 in Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor and connector is not occupied.

If no wiring malfunction is found:
- Replace Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor -G70-, item 2.
- Check DTC Memory, if necessary, repair any malfunctions and then Erase DTC Memory, Checking and Erasing DTC Memory. Reading Diagnostic Trouble Codes
- Read readiness code. If DTC memory has been erased or Motronic Engine Control Module (ECM) -J220- was disconnected from battery positive, readiness code must be generated again.
Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes
Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes