P0100 — Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit
Moderate severityWhat it means
P0100 is stored when the engine control unit sees a fault involving the mass air flow (MAF) sensor signal. The MAF sensor measures how much air enters the engine, and the control unit uses it to set the fuel quantity, so a bad MAF signal upsets the whole air–fuel mixture. The control unit has flagged this circuit or signal as outside its normal operating range.
Common symptoms
- Hesitation, stalling or lack of power
- Black smoke or rough idle
- Higher fuel consumption
Likely causes
- A wiring, connector or ground problem in the circuit
- A failed sensor or actuator in the circuit
- Dirty or contaminated MAF sensing element
- An air leak before or after the MAF sensor
What to check first
- Inspect the connector and wiring for damage, corrosion or loose pins
- Compare the g/s airflow reading at idle with expected values in live data
- Clean the MAF element with dedicated MAF cleaner only
Can you keep driving?
Usually drivable with reduced performance, but poor fuelling can foul the spark plugs and catalytic converter — diagnose soon.
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