Nissan Mass Air Flow Sensor | Symptoms | Cleaning | Troubleshooting

Symptoms

This is a list of common symptoms you will notice when your Nissan MAF sensor fails. 

• Check engine light on
• Nissan is hard to start. 
• Engine stalls soon after starting
• The engine runs unusually lean or rich, idling.
• Vehicle idles to high or low.
• Nissan hesitates when under load.
• The vehicle hesitates and jerks during acceleration.
• High fuel consumption, poor MPG.

How to Diagnose Nissan MAF Sensor Problems

To diagnose the Nissan MAF sensor, you will need to read the fault codes stored in the Engine Control Unit (ECU).

For this step, you will need an OBD2 scanner.

1. Locate the diagnostic port under the dashboard on the driver's side. 

    

2. Plug your diagnostic scanner in this port. 
3. Turn on the ignition but do not start the engine. 

    

4. Allow your scanner to turn on and communicate with the ECU. 

    

5. Select Read Codes from the main menu. 

Fault codes such as P0171 System Too Lean (Bank 1),  P0174 System Too Lean (Bank 2), and P0101. Dirty, obstructed, or faulty mass airflow sensor. Write down these codes research them to find out what each code means. 

How to Replace Nissan MAF Sensor

Replacing the MAF sensor on a Nissan vehicle is very easy. 

What you will need

• Nissan MAF Sensor
• Screwdriver

Procedure

1. Pull the hood release under the dashboard and open the hood of your Nissan. 

   Your browser does not support the video tag.

2. Locate a mass airflow sensor in the engine bay. Nissan MAF sensor is located right next to the engine air filter housing, typically on the driver's side. 

   

    

3. Unplug the electrical connector from your Nissan mass airflow sensor. 
4. Watch the following video on how to remove the air filter box to access the MAF sensor. 

5. Remove the screws that hold the mass airflow sensor in place. 
6. Install the new MAF on your Nissan. Tighten the screws so that they are secure and tight. Plug the electrical connector until it locks in place. 
7. A defective Nissan Quest mass airflow sensor could make your car difficult to start.
8. Your ECU uses the mass airflow sensor input to determine the fuel ratio that the injectors need to deliver to the engine.

If your check engine light is still on, use an OBD2 scanner to clear any stored codes in the ECU. 

How to Clean Nissan MAF Sensor

Cleaning the MAF sensor on a Nissan is easy and takes less than ten minutes. 

1.  Pull the hood release and open the hood. 
2. Locate the MAF sensor next to the engine air filter housing. 
3. Unplug the mass airflow sensor electrical connector. 
4. Remove the two screws that hold the MAF sensor secure and remove the MAF sensor. 
5. Spray 8 to 12 spurts of MAF sensor cleaner on the exposed plate. 
6. Allow the MAF sensor to dry and reinstall. 

Voltage

Nissan's mass airflow sensor sends a voltage to the powertrain control module (PCM). The hot wire sensors typically have an operating range of 0 - 5 volts.

At idle, the voltage under 1 volt. 

At full throttle, voltage is normally between 4 and 5 volts.