You'll see one or more of the following symptoms: Since it's a critical component of the engine management system, when it fails, engine performance will suffer. The fuel injection computer then uses this air flow measurement (along with other input sensor information) to calculate the amount of fuel to inject into the engine. The mass air flow sensor's job is to measure the amount of air entering the engine. To better understand why this is a problem, take a look at the section: What Does The Mass Air Flow Sensor Do? Common Symptoms Of A P0101 Trouble Code Or the MAF sensor is reporting a larger than normal air flow measurement when the engine is idling (liken when your foot is off the accelerator pedal).
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In a nutshell this means that the MAF sensor is reporting a smaller than normal air flow measurement when you're stepping on the gas pedal and engine RPM have increased. When this non-correlating air flow measurement occurs during at least 12 seconds of engine operation, the fuel injection computer sets the P0101 trouble code and lights up the check engine light.
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