FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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P0101

DTC P0101 Mass Air Flow Circuit Range / Performance Problem

DESCRIPTION




DTC Detection Condition:




The Mass Air Flow (MAF) meter is a sensor that measures the amount of air flowing through the valve. The ECM uses this information to determine the fuel injection time and to provied appropriate air-fuel ratio.

Inside the MAF meter, there is a heated platinum wire which is exposed to the flow of intake air.

By applying a specific electrical current to the wire, the ECM heats it to a given temperature. The flow of incoming air cools both the wire and an internal thermistor, affecting their resistance. To maintain a constant current value, the ECM varies the voltage applied to these components in the MAF meter. The voltage level is proportional to the airflow through the sensor, and the ECM uses it to calculate the intake air volume.

The circuit is constructed so that the platinum hot wire and the temperature sensor provide a bridge circuit, and the power transistor is controlled so that the potentials of A and B remain equal to maintain the predetermined temperature.

HINT: When any of these DTCs are set, the ECM enters fail-safe mode. During fail-safe mode, the ignition timing is calculated by the ECM according to the engine RPM and throttle valve position. Fail-safe mode continues until a pass condition is detected.

MONITOR DESCRIPTION

Monitor Strategy:




Typical Enabling Conditions:




Typical Malfunction Thresholds:




The MAF meter is a sensor that measures the amount of air flowing through the throttle valve. The ECM uses this information to determine the fuel injection time and to provide an appropriate air-fuel ratio. Inside the MAF meter, there is a heated platinum wire which is exposed to the flow of intake air. By applying a specific electrical current to the wire, the ECM heats it to a specific temperature. The flow of incoming air cools both the wire and an internal thermistor, affecting their resistance. To maintain a constant current value, the ECM varies the voltage applied to these components of the MAF meter. The voltage level is proportional to the airflow through the sensor, and the ECM uses it to calculate the intake air volume. If there is a defect in the sensor, or an open or short in the circuit, the voltage level deviates from the normal operating range. The ECM interprets this deviation as a malfunction in the MAF meter and sets the DTC.

Example:
If the voltage is more than 2.2 V, or less than 0.65 V while idling, the ECM determines that there is a malfunction in the MAF meter and sets the DTC.

Wiring Diagram:






Step 1:




INSPECTION PROCEDURE

HINT: Read freeze frame data using the intelligent tester. Freeze frame data records the engine condition when malfunctions are detected. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was moving or stationary, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, and other data from the time the malfunction occurred.