DTC P0101: Mass Air Flow Sensor Performance: Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 GMC Sierra, 2002 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2002 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor is an air flow meter that measures the amount of air entering the engine. The Engine Control Module (ECM) uses the MAF sensor voltage signal in order to provide the correct fuel delivery for a reduction in emissions. The ECM uses the MAF sensor signal in order to control fuel delivery until a calibrated amount of engine air flow is attained. The MAF sensor has an ignition 1 voltage circuit, a signal circuit and a low reference circuit. The MAF sensor produces an output voltage based on inlet air flow through the air induction system. This output voltage will display on the scan tool as a grams per second (g/s) value. The ECM will calculate a predicted MAF value. The ECM compares the actual MAF sensor voltage signal to the predicted MAF value. This comparison will determine if the signal is stuck, or is too low or too high for a given operating condition. DTC P0101 will set if the actual MAF sensor voltage signal is not within a predetermined range of the calculated MAF value.