If you have ever been in an accident and had to get your car towed, then you know that getting it fixed can be expensive. The cost of a new air bag, for example, can run into the hundreds of dollars! In this article, we will take a look at one of the common causes of car crashes – dirty mass air flow sensors.
What is a DMS?
Dirty mass air flow sensor (DMS) is a device used on vehicles to measure the amount of air and gas flowing into and out of the engine. The DMS is a computerized system that uses the air/fuel ratio information to control emissions. A dirty DMS can cause a decrease in fuel economy, high emissions and can even lead to engine failure.
There are several ways to clean a DMS: – Re-flowing the sensor’s O-ring – Flushing the sensor with fresh gas – Remove and clean the sensor’s plug – Replacing the DMS
How does the DMS work?
Dirty mass air flow sensor (DMS) is a device that detects the amount of air flowing through the engine. When the airflow is low, this can cause the car to stall. The DMS is usually located on top of the air intake manifold.
What to do if your DMS stalls your car?
If your car has a dirty mass air flow sensor, it may stall when you try to start it. The fix is simple – just replace the sensor. Here’s how to do it:
1. Park the car in a safe location.
2. Remove the front bumper cover by unscrewing the two screws on either side of the license plate bracket.
3. Locate and remove the air filter assembly by gently pulling it out from behind the grill.
4. Disconnect the black mass air flow sensor cable from the connector near the engine mount.
5. Remove the old sensor from the bracket by gently prying it off with a flat-head screwdriver. Make sure to keep track of which way the sensor was originally mounted on the bracket – you’ll need to reattach it in this same position on your new sensor.
6. Install the new sensor in its original position on the bracket, making sure to line up the pins correctly and tighten the screw using a Phillips head screwdriver. Reattach the black mass air flow sensor cable to the connector near the engine mount, then replace the front bumper cover and screws.
Your car
Conclusion
There is a lot of confusion out there about the effects of dirty MAF sensors on cars. Some people believe that the sensor will cause the car to stall, while others think that it won’t have any effect at all. The truth is that it depends on the condition of the sensor and how dirty it is. If the dust has built up on the sensor over time, then it might cause problems with startup and throttle response. However, if the dust hasn’t accumulated to an excessive level, then your car should be able to run just fine with a dirty MAF sensor. In either case, you should definitely get your MAF cleaned if it starts having these issues.