One solution to this issue is to use diagnostic systems and automated fault detection. For medical applications, sensors faults must be detected efficiently and as soon as possible, as any problems with mechanical ventilation could possibly harm human life. This is also true for mass air flow sensors employed on remote pipelines for leak detection.
#MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR PROBLEMS SYMPTOMS VERIFICATION#
For heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) applications, sensors may not always be placed in regions that are easy to access, therefore making the visual verification of sensor issues more difficult. Automated Detectionįor building ventilation and medical use, mass air flow sensors are expected to give continuous monitoring and recording of mass flow rates. Infinite or high resistance values can be a signal that one of the sensing wires in the air flow sensor is physically burnt or broken. The resistance of the sensor wires can then be evaluated. This can be employed to verify that the voltage is similar to what the battery generates and that the electrical connection problems with the supply are not the error source. These kinds of sensors often have built-in self-cleaning circuits to correct this problem, but these can error alongside the sensor.Īn additional choice is to use a multimeter to read either the frequency or voltage signals (according to the sensor type). The Applications of Mass Air Flow SensorsĪs the majority of hot-wire type mass air flow sensors work on the resistivity distance between the sensor wire and a reference wire, this will create readings that are inaccurate.What are the Pros and Cons of Mass Air Flow Sensors?.Cleaning and Testing Mass Air Flow Sensors.Especially in environments like car engines, dirt or debris frequently come into contact with the sensor and this adjusts the thermal resistivity of the wires. 3 If ignition cannot take place, the engine cannot start.Ī visual observation of the mass air flow sensor can assist in determining whether contamination is the source of the problem or not. The contrasting scenario, where the mass air flow sensor overestimates the amount of air intake into the engine, can cause engine flooding because too much fuel has been injected.This is challenging because fuel can enter the cylinders which means they cannot seal and therefore the fuel volume in the engine begins to become greater the upper explosion limit. This is because the data from the mass air flow sensor is utilized by the onboard electronic control unit to control the level of fuel being injected to the engine.Īn optimal air/fuel ratio needs to be maintained to optimize combustion efficiency, so if the sensor is under-reading the mass air flow, not enough fuel is injected, which causes decreased engine power. Typical signs include slow acceleration, reduced engine power, or reduced fuel efficiency.
#MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR PROBLEMS SYMPTOMS FULL#
The deterioration or aging of components, can cause false resistivity readings, resulting in inaccurate measurements.ĭownload the Full eBook Here Identifying Faulty Sensorsįor mass air flow sensors on engines, the first warning sign of a failing sensor is commonly problems with the performance of the engine. The most frequent failure reasons are contamination or sensor aging, the former of which can often be corrected by cleaning the sensor. Poorly performing or malfunctioning sensors can cause additional complications - for example, poor efficiency of fuel on combustion engines, or the compromising of patient safety where mass air flow sensors are utilized in artificial ventilation systems. Considering how important mass air flow sensors are in several applications, keeping these sensors in proper working order is vital to reduce the chances of equipment failure.