Follow these steps to get your sensor sparkling and your engine running smoothly

If your car hesitates when you accelerate or your check engine light refuses to turn off, a dirty mass air flow sensor might be the culprit. You might think that a hefty cleaning session is in store, but it’s actually a super quick and simple job. In this article, we’ll provide you with all the steps you need to clean this small but mighty car part and keep your engine running smoothly. Read on to get cleaning!

Things You Should Know

  • Locate the mass air flow (MAF) sensor under your car’s hood. It’s usually between the air filter box and throttle body on the driver’s side.
  • Unplug the connector from the sensor. Then, unscrew it and take it out of your car.
  • Spray the wire or plate inside the sensor with 10-15 sprays of MAF cleaner.
  • Let the sensor dry for 1 hour before putting it back in your car.
3

Find your mass air flow (MAF) sensor.

  1. Pop the hood and look for the sensor by the air box and throttle body. Open your car’s hood and look towards the driver’s side. You’ll see a large black box connecting to a silver part; this is the air filter box and throttle body. Right in between these parts is the MAF sensor, which is usually a small black square attached to a thick connector.[3]
    • Some cars house the MAF sensor inside the air filter box, so open it up and move the box aside to find the MAF sensor.
    • Every car’s MAF sensor placement is slightly different. If you’re still unsure where your sensor is located, check your car’s manual. Or, search online for “mass air flow sensor” with your car’s make and model.
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6

Clean the inside of the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner.

  1. Spray the MAF sensor’s hot wire or plate with MAF cleaner. Depending on your car, your sensor will either have a tiny silver wire resting inside a hole, or have a silver plate extending from it. Insert the straw into the MAF cleaner. Then, hold it about 4 inches (10 cm) away from your MAF sensor. Spray about 10 to 15 spurts of the cleaner onto the wire or plate.[6]
    • Do not use anything besides MAF cleaner to clean your sensor. This cleaner is specifically designed to clean its delicate wire or plate. Using brushes, cloths, other car part cleaners, or rubbing alcohol can damage the sensor.[7]
    • If the wire or plate still has gunk covering it or doesn’t look bright and shiny, spray it with more cleaner until it’s sparkling.
8

Install the cleaned MAF sensor back in your car.

  1. Screw the MAF sensor back in place and plug in the connector. Using a Phillips-head screwdriver and the screws you removed, secure the MAF sensor into your car. Then, attach the connector to the sensor. Your MAF sensor is now sparkling clean, which your car will thank you for![9]
    • If you have a car stalling issue or a lit check engine light, cleaning the MAF sensor can often solve the issue.
    • If these problems persist, your sensor might just be old or faulty. To replace it, search for the MAF sensor that’s compatible with your car or check your car’s manual. Simply unplug the connector, take out the sensor, and pop in your new one.[10]

Warnings

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About This Article

Devin McSween
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Devin McSween is a wikiHow Staff Writer. With a background in psychology, she has presented her research in social psychology at a variety of conferences and has contributed to several manuscripts for publication. At wikiHow, Devin combines her love of writing and research with the goal of bringing accessible information to wikiHow readers that will help them learn and grow. She earned her BS in Psychology from the College of Charleston.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: February 18, 2023
Views: 893
Categories: Car Engines
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