Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Air Flow Meter/Sensor: Testing and Inspection



Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, checking


NOTE: Use only gold-plated terminals when servicing terminals in harness connector of Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.


Recommended special tools and equipment
- VAG1526 multimeter or VAG1715 multimeter
- VAG1594 connector test kit
- Wiring diagram

Test requirements







The respective fuses of Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor -G70- must be OK.







- Fuses -1, 2, 3, 4 and 7- in protective housing (plenum chamber, left) must be OK:
- Fuel Pump (FP) Relay -J17- must be OK, check:
- Battery voltage must be at least 11.5 Volts.
- All electrical consumers such as, for example, lights and rear window defroster must be switched off.
- Parking brake must be engaged or else daylight driving lights will be switched on.
- For vehicles with automatic transmission, selector lever must be in position -P-or -N-.
- If vehicle is equipped with an A/C system, it must be switched off.
- Ground (GND) connections between engine and chassis must be OK.
- Coolant temperature must be at least 80 degrees C, Diagnostic mode 1: Check measuring values; PID 5, Coolant temperature. Diagnostic Mode 1: Check Measuring Values

Function test
- Connect diagnostic tester. Diagnostic Tester, Connecting
- Start engine and let run at idle.
- Under address word 33, select "Diagnostic mode 1: Check measured values."
- Select the measuring value "PID 16: Air flow quantity at Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor".
- Check specified value of air flow quantity at Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor at idle:







- End diagnostic and switch ignition off.

If specified value is obtained, but DTC memory has a DTC concerning Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor:
- Check voltage supply of Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

If specified value is not obtained:
- Check signal and Ground (GND) wires of Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

Voltage supply for Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, checking







- Disconnect 5-pin connector from Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor -G70-with Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor -G42- (-1-).







- Connect multimeter to terminal 2 of connector and engine Ground (GND) for voltage measurement.
- Start engine, and let run at idle.
Specified value: at least 11.0 V
- Switch ignition off.

If there is no voltage:
- Check voltage supply at 5-pin connector terminal 2 according to wiring diagram:
- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module (ECM), Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data.
- Generate readiness code. Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes

If voltage supply and wires are OK:







- Connect multimeter to terminal 4 of connector and engine Ground (GND) for voltage measurement.
- Switch ignition on.
Specified value: at least 4.5 V
- Switch ignition off.

If there is no voltage:
- Check signal and Ground (GND) wires of Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

Checking signal and Ground wires of Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor







- Disconnect 5-pin connector from Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor -G70-with Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor -G42- (-1-).
- Connect test box to control module wiring harness, connect test box for wiring test. Test Box, Connecting For Wiring Test







- Check wires between test box and 5-pin connector for open circuit according to wiring diagram.
Terminal 3 + socket 27
Terminal 4 + socket 53
Terminal 5 + socket 29
Wire resistance: max. 1.5 Ohms

- Also check wires for short circuit to each other, to vehicle Ground (GND) and to B+.
Specified value: infinity Ohms

- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module (ECM), Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data.
- Generate readiness code. Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes

If no DTCs are found in wires:
- Replace Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor -G70-, item 15 .
- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module (ECM), Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data.
- Generate readiness code. Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes