P0102 Code: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit Low

Lately, you’ve been noticing that your car stalls or runs rougher than before. You eventually decide to use an OBD-II scanner to help you determine whether there’s an issue, and it displays the trouble code P0102.

What does this mean and what can you do to fix it? Below, we’ve put together a guide to help you recognize the symptoms and possible causes of this error code—along with tips for proper diagnosis and repair.

What Does the P0102 Code Mean?

Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0102 isn’t in every vehicle’s code library, but whenever it appears it means “Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit Low.” The code is set when the ECM/PCM perceives a problem with the mass airflow (MAF) sensor’s performance.

The MAF sensor is mounted between the air filter and the throttle body. The MAF generates a signal that the PCM uses as a primary input for determining fuel control, and code P0102 is set when the PCM determines that this signal is below specification for a certain amount of time.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: There is a certain window the ECM/PCM will accept as normal. If the signal coming from the MAF sensor drops below that acceptable window, a code is set. Again, the code is different from one manufacturer to the next, so you may get a different code on your vehicle that means the same thing this code does.

For an advanced understanding of mass air flow, you can read our technical discussion on the development of mass air flow as well as different sensor configurations. Otherwise, if you wish to quickly learn the most likely causes of P0102, continue reading the following section.

What are the Possible Causes of the P0102 Code?

Listed below are some of the most common issues that can cause your vehicle’s PCM to store the code P0102:

• Dirty or contaminated MAF sensor
• Faulty MAF sensor
• Circuit problems (e.g., damaged wiring and loose connections)
• PCM issues (rare)

What are the Common Symptoms of the P0102 Code?

You may observe one or more of the following signs with engine code P0102:

• Check engine light
• Rough running engine
• Hard starting
• Stalling
• Low engine power

How to Diagnose the P0102 Code

Code P0102 isn’t always caused by a bad MAF sensor. There are other factors that may come into play with this specific error code.

But don’t be alarmed—there are a lot of resources out there that can help you diagnose and manage this error code. Here are some videos that will help you understand and properly perform a diagnosis:

How to Fix the P0102 Code

Since the code P0102 points to a problem with the MAF sensor, you may think that replacement would be the only answer—but that’s not always the case.

There are a variety of possible causes, as outlined above, which means there are different avenues of repair. You’ll need to diagnose the code accurately to find out the underlying cause before performing any necessary repairs.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to a P0102 code, or any other codes, for that matter—but once you’ve properly diagnosed the issue, you should be able to find the right fix with the help of reputable online automotive guides. You can also obtain Haynes and Chilton repair manuals, which would be very helpful if you’re serious about automotive DIY.

Also, keep in mind that all vehicles are different, so when troubleshooting and fixing diagnostic trouble codes, make sure to consult the factory repair information for your application.

Other Notes about P0102

Is it safe to drive with a P0102 code? While you may technically still be able to drive when a  P0102 code is set, you should not do so for long. An issue with the MAF sensor can cause your car to stall or run poorly—and that can be dangerous.

What’s more, a faulty MAF sensor can damage other parts of your vehicle, such as the catalytic converter.

An In-Depth Look at Mass Air Flow

Carburetors mist more fuel into the engine as the throttle plate is opened and airflow through the venturi increases. The low pressure created draws fuel into the intake stream through the venturi, which atomizes the fuel. With fuel injection, however, the atomizing takes place at the fuel injector nozzle.

Mechanical fuel injection systems such as Bosch’s K-Jetronic (80s VWs, Delorean, etc), require no electronics, but airflow raises a plate and a lever, which moves a small piston inside a slotted tube in the center of the fuel distributor, delivering more fuel through those very cheap and simple spray nozzles right at the intake valve.

The point is that, with both carburetors and mechanical fuel injection, airflow is the primary determining factor regarding how much fuel is delivered. An engine is basically a breathing machine, and the deeper it breathes, the more fuel is delivered.

From Manifold Absolute Pressure to Electronic Air Flow Measurement

Electronic fuel injection shoe-horned a computer into the process, and most early systems used the manifold pressure to determine how much fuel the computer would deliver, because manifold pressure is an accurate indicator of engine load. Notice that if you take manifold vacuum and subtract it from ambient air pressure, you get manifold pressure (manifold absolute pressure, or MAP), which is what the engine controller on those vehicles is actually using for its calculations.

But some automakers began, in the mid-1980s, to shift away from manifold absolute pressure to an electronic measurement of the airflow. Early on, there was typically an L-shaped vane (VAF used on Bosch L-Jetronic) gently spring-loaded so that as air passed through the meter, the vane would respond to the flow, and the electronic element of the VAF meter would increase the voltage delivered to the engine controller, which responded by increasing injector pulse width as needed.

Mass air flow sensors don’t have any moving parts, but will use the amount of current required to maintain the temperature of a grid or a wire to determine airflow.

MAF Sensor Configurations

One common kind of MAF sensor has a cold wire and a hot wire, and the hot wire’s temperature will be maintained at 300 degrees Celsius higher than whatever the temperature of the cold wire is. Some Asian sensors operate using a sound generator and a detector so that the air passing through the sensor deflects the sound.

Some MAF sensors include the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor and some just use the cold wire to determine intake air temperature. The MAF sensor usually has four wires unless the IAT is a separate sensor, which will require two more wires. But one of the wires feeding the MAF is typically a B+ feed. The signal the ECM/PCM receives will either be a voltage or frequency signal, and the ECM/PCM will interpret that input as a “grams per second” indication of how much air is entering the manifold.

Delivering Your New MAF Sensor to Your Doorstep

When the MAF sensor stops working, replace it immediately and avoid driving your car until you’ve fixed this issue. The last thing you want is another engine problem with a steep repair cost. Fortunately, CarParts.com quickly ships replacement MAF sensors to your home, speeding up your vehicle’s return to the road.

CarParts.com ships world-class accessories and parts like MAF sensors to where you need them. If you live in the continental US and order by noon ET, you can expect your new MAF sensor to arrive at your doorstep in as fast as two business days. Enjoy fast and convenient shopping on our secure online website. Our helpful customer service team is also available 24/7 to help you pick the right MAF sensor for your vehicle.

At CarParts.com, you can enjoy significant savings on a high-quality mass air flow sensor. Browse our selection of MAF sensors and order what you need today.

Products Mentioned in this Guide

Mass Air Flow Sensor Engine Control Module IAT Sensor