Mitsubishi Mass Air Flow Sensor Replacement
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Does your Mitsubishi have a rough idle, engine stalling, poor starting, and the check engine light is on due to a faulty mass airflow sensor? Learn how to fix the problem by replacing your Mitsubishi mass airflow sensor.
At a Glance
- Symptoms: check engine light, rough idle, stalling, hesitation or surging, poor fuel economy.
- Rule out an intake leak, dirty filter or dirty sensor first.
- The job takes about 15 minutes with a screwdriver or Torx bit.
- Unplug the connector with the ignition off.
- Clear the codes with a scanner after the swap, then road test.
- A scanner such as the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro shows live MAF readings and fuel trims, so you can confirm the sensor before buying it.
Mitsubishi’s Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor may fail, triggering the check engine light (service engine soon) to stay on. The engine may start to shake, and fuel consumption will increase. This step-by-step guide provides instructions on replacing a Mitsubishi MAF sensor.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of a bad Mitsubishi Mass Air Flow sensor include:
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- Check engine light on
- Poor starting
- Engine Surging
- Engine stalling
- No-start condition
- The engine starts and then dies.
- Rough idle
- Service engine soon on (some models)
What you will need
- Mitsubishi Mass Air Flow Sensor
Procedure
- Park the Mitsubishi on level ground and set the parking brake(s).
- Pull the hood release under the dashboard. Prop the hood open.
- Locate the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor on the intake air duct.
- Remove the two Torx bolts that hold the sensor in place. In some models, you must disconnect the air duct hose as the sensor is one unit.
- With the ignition off, press the tab on the electrical connector and pull to unplug it.
- Install the new MAF sensor and reconnect the electrical connector. You should hear a click when the connector is fully inserted.
- Restart the engine.
- Your engine should run smoothly, but the check engine light will remain on. If preferred, use an OBD-II scanner to reset the Mitsubishi check engine light (service engine soon).
If no other problems are present, your check engine light will reset. This can take up to one week of normal driving. If your Mitsubishi check engine light has not reset within a week, read the codes with an OBD-II scanner. The YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro can read and clear fault codes in the control modules of supported vehicles.
The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor is very important on your Mitsubishi. It measures the temperature and volume of air entering the engine.
While the pictures in this guide are from a 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer, the procedure is almost identical for other models, including Outlander, Galant, Mirage, Eclipse, and Montero. The main difference is that the part number will be different.
Check this before you buy a MAF sensor
The same symptoms often come from cheaper faults. A torn intake boot or vacuum leak between the sensor and the throttle body lets in air the sensor never measures, which causes lean codes such as P0171 and a rough idle. A dirty air filter or an oily sensor element can also skew the reading.
Inspect the intake duct for cracks, replace a dirty filter, and try cleaning the sensor element with spray made for MAF sensors (never touch the element). If the MAF code returns after that, replace the sensor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are symptoms of a bad Mitsubishi MAF sensor?
Check engine light, rough idle, stalling, hesitation and poor fuel economy are common signs.
Should I clean the MAF before replacing it?
Yes. Try spray MAF cleaner first, and rule out an intake leak or dirty air filter. Replace the sensor if the problem returns.
How long does it take to replace the MAF sensor?
About 15 minutes with a screwdriver or Torx bit. Unplug the connector with the ignition off.
Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mitsubishi.
