How to check the mass air flow sensor on LADA cars with your own hands

Despite the variety of power plants of the VAZ 2110 (from carburetor ones, inherited from the V8, to limited versions with an Opel 150 l/s engine), we will focus on the more modern 8 and 16 valves with a volume of 1.6 liters. Questions about diagnosing and replacing the mass air flow sensor on a VAZ 2110 most often concern these particular internal combustion engines.

The German concern BOSCH produces several variants of flow meters for engines of this VAZ family: 0280218004, 0280218037 and 0280218116. The first option is practically not used, it can be easily replaced with a product with index 037. The only difference is in the design of the air measuring channel: on the new one (037) version, it is devoid of a childhood disease: uneven air intake for measurement.

The third option (116) is used on 16 valve VAZ 2110 equipped with a modern BOSCH-M7.9.7 or January 7 series controller.

Externally, these mass air flow sensors for the VAZ 2110 are practically the same, but installing 0280218116 instead of 0280218037 is not allowed, since the flow meters have different calibrations of the sensor readings relative to the air flow.

Therefore, owners of a VAZ 2110 with an 8-valve engine should install BOSCH 0280218037, and for 16-valve engines - BOSCH 0280218116. It is not necessary to look for products from a German manufacturer; for those who want to save money, there are analogues, including from Russian companies. Many of them actually produce only a housing with a measuring channel into which a set of sensors and a control board of the original Bosch are installed.

Information about the operation and design of the mass air flow sensor

Again, we will not consider the historically outdated mechanical options with a weather vane and the General Motors frequency flow meter, which was used in conjunction with the January 4-series ECU. Modern flow meters for the VAZ 10 series operate on the principle of a hot-wire anemometer.

It is based on the properties of some metals to significantly change resistance depending on heat (the MAF sensor uses an alloy of iridium with platinum, which causes the high cost of the device). There are two resistors in the air flow: one is precision, the second can change the resistance using heat. Voltage is applied to it, the thread is heated until it matches the standard. Depending on the strength of the air flow, the thread cools and the resistance changes. By increasing the voltage across the resistor, the temperature and, accordingly, the resistance are restored. This happens in real time, that is, the control of the air mass is constant. At the output, the mass air flow sensor displays the signal voltage with an accuracy of hundredths of a volt. The received information is processed by the ECU to accurately dose gasoline into the fuel-air mixture.

What happens if the flow meter breaks down? The engine will continue to operate, but in emergency mode. At idle speed without load, the speed will be set to 1500, power will be lost, and fuel consumption will increase. In some modes the motor may stall.

All elements are arranged into a single electronic model, which is placed in the measuring channel (air duct).

Cleaning

Quite often you can avoid replacing the mass air flow sensor by simply cleaning this engine element.

You should do the cleaning yourself in this way:

• Remove the pipe from the mass air flow sensor;
• Now remove the sensor from the pipe. Otherwise, high-quality washing will not work;
• To remove the sensor, arm yourself with sprocket keys in advance. Finding such kits is not a problem;
• Unscrew all the fasteners, remove the sensor from the pipe and assess its external condition;
• Often there are traces of oil deposits on the sensor. The purpose of cleaning is to make the device as good as new;
• Carburetor cleaner is often used to clean the air flow sensor;
• Inside the film there are sensors, which are small wires attached to a special resin. These elements must be carefully sprayed with cleaner so as not to damage the devices;
• Wait a while for the surfaces to dry. To speed up the process, use a can of compressed air;
• It is not uncommon to use alcohol instead of carburetor cleaner, which also works quite effectively;
• Proper cleaning of the mass air flow sensor involves treating the pipes from accumulated debris, dirt and dust;
• Having carefully processed all the components of the removed mass air flow sensor, wait until it dries, and then reassemble it. Cleaning is complete.

Spray cleaning

Statistics show that in about 80% of cases, simple cleaning can return the mass air flow sensor to its previous functionality.

Price issue

80% is not 100. Therefore, sometimes you have to change the sensor. And to replace it, you need to buy it.

There are three price categories for air mass flow sensors:

• Cheap. These are predominantly Chinese products, the price of which is up to 1000 rubles. It is strongly not recommended to purchase such regulators;
• Average. These include sensors from AvtoVAZ, domestic and some foreign analogues. These cost from 1500 to 2500 rubles;
• Expensive. High-quality, reliable, imported air flow sensors, the price of which can reach 5.5 thousand rubles. It’s hard to say how rational it is to buy them. But they will definitely last a long time.

When choosing a new mass air flow sensor, focus not only on the price, but also on the manufacturer. Today, the most popular devices are from Siemens and Bosch. Average in price, excellent in quality.

Prevention and testing of mass air flow sensor on VAZ 2110

As a preventive measure, we can recommend timely replacement of the air filter. The use of sports zeros shortens the life of the flow meter. In any case, regular cleaning of the air flow sensor will not hurt.

1. We disconnect the sensor connector, having first removed the ground from the battery.
2. Carefully unscrew the flow meter housing from the intake manifold flange.
3. If dust deposits are detected, blow out the cavities with compressed air.
4. Of course, you also need to clean the air duct and air filter box at the same time.

Tip: It is recommended to repeat this operation every time you replace the air filter.

If the contamination is severe (with oil and moisture), you can use a special cleaner for flow meters or carburetors; the manufacturer does not matter. To do this, it is necessary to direct the jet not only to visible sensors, but also to hidden cavities where the platinum resistor (thread) is located.

After this, the flow meter is installed in its regular place and the functionality of the electronic part is checked.

Replacement

It is not difficult to replace the mass air flow sensor with your own hands, even if you do not have any special skills in car repair. Having checked the condition of the device and determined that cleaning will not help, all that remains is to replace it.

1. Place the car on a level surface, lift the hood and remove the negative terminal from the battery.
2. Disconnect the sensor connector. We have already talked about its location, so there will be no problems with the search.
3. Using a screwdriver, remove the clamping bolt of the clamp that secures the corrugation to the mass air flow sensor.
4. The corrugation is removed.
5. Using a 10mm wrench, unscrew the two bolts that hold the sensor to the air filter housing.
6. After removing the failed oxygen sensor, install a new regulator in its place.
7. Screw back a couple of bolts, secure the corrugation and secure it with a clamp.
8. Reconnect the connector and return the negative terminal to the battery.

If everything is done correctly and the breakdown is correctly identified, then the engine will return to its previous performance and the error signal on the dashboard will disappear.

Replacing the device

To finally check the result of the repair, go out onto the road, do a test drive and be sure to try to press the gas pedal sharply. If the dynamics and power become the same as before the problems arose, you did everything correctly, and it was the mass air flow sensor that was the culprit of the malfunction.

How to check the mass air flow sensor on a VAZ 2110 with a multimeter

Important! All disconnections and connections of connectors are made with the battery disconnected.

A. _ Checking the wiring harness and contacts. At this stage, the interaction between the ECU and the mass air flow sensor is tested. Performed with the connector removed and the ignition key in the “ON” position. You need to know the pinout of the sensor connector on the ECU side:

• Contact No. 1 is not involved in the test.
• Contact No. 2 - 12 volt power supply. A deviation of even 0.5 volts is not acceptable.
• Contact No. 3 - “ground”, mass.
• Contact No. 4 - 5 volt sensor power supply. Likewise: deviations are not allowed.

B. _ After making sure that the cable harness is intact and the ECU is working, we check the signal voltage on the connected flow meter. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position and do not start the engine! We connect a digital multimeter to ground and contact No. 5 of the air flow sensor.

The multimeter is set to 2 volt measurement mode with an error of 1/100 volt. These readings accurately indicate the condition of the flow meter, so the accuracy class of the tester must be high.

If the device shows a voltage within 0.99-1.02 V, your flow meter is new or in excellent condition.

Readings from 1.03 to 1.05 volts are acceptable, but the air flow sensor will soon fail. You can still drive with such a sensor, but the quality of the fuel-air mixture will be far from ideal.

If there is no voltage or its level is above 1.05 V, the flow meter is faulty and requires replacement.

Advice: you should not skimp on replacing the mass air flow sensor. Excessive fuel consumption and increased engine wear will cover all the imaginary benefits.

Main symptoms

So. If you have problems with your mass air flow sensor, the signs of a malfunction can be very different. Among them are failures during acceleration, lack of traction, and decreased power. There is a persistent feeling that the car simply “does not go.” If there is no proper response when you press the gas, then this is one of the signs. High fuel consumption is also a signal for diagnosing this sensor. When your car stalls when shifting from gear to gear, it makes sense to check the MAF sensor. The VAZ 2110 has the same symptoms of malfunction as other cars.

DIY replacement and installation instructions

How to replace the regulator in a garage:

1. First, turn off the engine and ignition.
2. Next, open the hood and find the location where the mass air flow sensor is installed. You need to disconnect the plug and wiring from the regulator.
3. After this, unscrew the bolts that secure the clamps, and then disconnect the intake manifold pipe. This line is connected to the air filter housing.
4. After completing these steps, you must remove the flow meter from its installation location. Before installing a new mass air flow sensor, it is necessary to clean or rinse the installation site. Further installation and assembly is carried out in reverse order.

Photo gallery “Changing the flow meter”

Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them

Now let’s look at the main symptoms of a malfunction that will help determine if the flow meter is broken:

1. Increased gasoline consumption. In this case, the problem can be identified by the readings of the on-board computer, if the latter calculates the amount of fuel. If the mass air flow sensor breaks down, gasoline consumption may increase by one liter or more.
2. Reduced engine power during operation.
3. The car engine began to work less stably. The car takes longer to accelerate, and sometimes the engine picks up speed uncharacteristically quickly.
4. The Tens power unit does not start or starts, but not immediately, after several attempts.
5. Floating idle speed.

Of course, such symptoms of problems can also be associated with other malfunctions, for example, spark plugs, distributors and other components of the ignition system. Therefore, in order to accurately verify that the flow meter is not working, you will have to check the device. As for troubleshooting methods, the mass air flow sensor itself is usually not repairable, so in most cases, if there is a problem with its operation, the device is simply replaced. It happens that the reasons are due to poor contact of the device with the vehicle’s on-board network, so before replacing, we recommend checking the connection circuit, as well as the quality of contact of the device with the connector.

What to do if the device fails

If tests show that the sensor is faulty, then you should first try to restore it. To do this you need to follow the instructions:

1. Remove the negative terminal from the battery.
2. Get to the air filter and remove the sensor from it.
3. Disassemble the controller, being careful not to touch the platinum wire. It is forbidden to touch it, as this will disrupt the operation of the sensor.
4. Wipe the remaining parts of the mass air flow sensor with battery cleaning fluid.
5. Reassemble the sensor and reinstall it.

Even if you fail to restore the device, you will not lose anything. Test the restored device using a multimeter. If it shows a normal value, then you can do without replacement. When installing the sensor, inspect the air filter and seal. If the rubber gasket is worn out, you need to install a new one in its place. The need to install a new air filter is indicated by contamination of the old one.