The Honda Accord has been a staple of the roads since it was first released in 1976. Since then, it has only grown in popularity, becoming a top-selling car in North America. Part of the reason for this popularity is the fuel economy. Another element is the reliability. Of course, sometimes things go wrong and you need new Honda Accord parts. If you have a fault with your mass air flow sensor, you will experience reliability and efficiency issues.
What Does a Mass Air Flow Sensor Do?
Your Accord (like all internal combustion automobiles) ignites fuel in its engine cylinder to create power. To do this, the engine needs the right mix of fuel and air in each cylinder. Like any other combustion, without fuel, oxygen and a spark, the ignition in your engine wouldn’t work.
Sometimes cars run lean (too little fuel) or rich (too much fuel). This can cause excess emissions, poor fuel efficiency and even damage to the engine. Fortunately, modern cars have computers that ensure the right mixture of fuel and air. To do this, they need to know how much fuel and air is going into the engine. The mass air flow sensor measures the amount of air moving through the intake, so the computer can do its calculations.
How Does the Sensor Figure Out the Air Mass?
The principle of MAF sensors is very clever. Air is moving through the intake with a known volume. The sensor has a wire that extends into the intake system. As air moves past this, the particles heat up the wire through friction. As the wire heats up, its electrical resistance increases. The sensor uses the change in resistance to calculate how much air is in the intake.
Some versions have a “cold” wire that measures the ambient air as well. This helps make the calculations even more exact, especially in environments with elevated or decreased air pressure.
What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Mass Air Flow Sensor?
The MAF sensor is very important for the efficient operation of your Accord’s engine. Therefore, the signs of a fault can be dramatic. These are some of the most notable symptoms that may arise:
• Hesitation when accelerating, driving under load or idling
• Difficulty starting the engine
• Stalling shortly after starting
• Rich or lean idling
• Engine hiccups
These are somewhat general symptoms and could indicate other problems. The best way to check for a problem with your MAF sensor is to check the diagnostic trouble codes. This can be done with an OBD-II code reader. If you have a somewhat modern Accord (newer than the mid-90s), it has this system installed. In a few moments, you could learn what the problem is.
Get a New Honda Accord Mass Air Flow Sensor
Get started on your Mass Air Flow Sensor replacement. You can find new sensors easily at your favorite auto parts store. The process of changing them is relatively simple. With a little patience, some basic tools and a readiness to lean, you could make the necessary repair on your Honda Accord.
