MAP sensors in vehicles monitor the flow of air in the engine. Though the name reflects that it’s used for navigation, MAP actually stands for ‘manifold absolute pressure sensor.’ The MAP sensor assists the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle to calculate the density of air and regulate fuel delivery to the engine.
Like other vehicle parts, MAP sensors can fail at any point of time. Therefore, motorists need to be aware of bad MAP sensor symptoms in order to take prompt action. Read here to know where its located and what happens when the MAP sensor goes bad.
LOCATION OF MAP SENSOR
The location of MAP sensor may differ from vehicle to vehicle. It’s best to check the car’s service manual provided by the manufacturer. However, most of the vehicles have a MAP sensor located near the intake manifold, on the firewall, below the dashboard or around the inner fender area.
Read ahead to know what happens when MAP sensor goes bad.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MAP SENSOR GOES BAD
MAP sensor failure can effect the vehicle’s performance, causing different problems to the fuel system. The ECU, which is the car computer, will get incorrect readings from the sensor that will disturb the fuel supply to the engine. With inaccurate fuel delivery levels, the engine will perform poorly. For instance, when less fuel is supplied to the engine, it may stall and that will be a threat to motorist and passengers’ safety.
Also, MAP sensor failure will ultimately lead to poor fuel economy. The car will either run on a lean fuel mixture or a rich fuel mixture causing other vehicle components to go bad.
You must be thinking about how to know if a MAP sensor is bad in your car. Read below to know some of the most common bad MAP sensor symptoms.
BAD MAP SENSOR SYMPTOMS
Here is a list of faulty MAP sensor symptoms:
POOR FUEL ECONOMY
If the air fuel mixture is high due to MAP sensor failure, then there is a probability that you may come across the following problems in your vehicle’s parts:
- Spark plugs may fail
- Clogged catalytic converter
- Strong fuel smell from exhaust
- Fast deposition of carbon
- Emission of carbon monoxide
On the other hand, if the air fuel mixture is excessively lean, then here is what happens that signals there is a problem with MAP sensor:
- Lean mixture is hot and thus, produces an excessive amount of heat over passage of time. This excessive heat damages the engine parts or reduces its life span.
- Emission of nitrogen oxide
- Engine knocking
PROBLEM IN STARTING VEHICLE
Either the vehicle has a lean mixture or rich mixture, it will be difficult to start the engine. If the engine starts only when you press the accelerator then there is a problem with the MAP sensor.
ROUGH IDLING
If the engine is not getting the right amount of fuel or has a lean air fuel mixture, it will lead to rough engine idling. Rough idling could be due to several other reasons, but it is also one of the bad MAP sensor symptoms
ENGINE MISFIRE
Similarly, there could be various reasons behind engine misfiring. But, it is also one of the faulty MAP sensor symptoms. Since the engine is unable to maintain proper combustion levels, due to less or excessive supply of fuel, the engine may misfire.
FAILED EMISSION TEST
If you wish to buy a used car in the UAE, take note that the periodic vehicle emission test is mandatory in order to renew its registration. In case, your vehicle failed to pass the emission test, then it could be due to MAP sensor failure.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON
If the check engine light appears on your vehicle’s dashboard, then it indicates that there is a problem with any of the internal components. However, it could also be a bad MAP sensor symptom. This is because the ECU, oversees all the sensors in the vehicle’s engine and if any of the sensors sends incorrect readings out of the standard range, the check engine light will turn on. The same happens when a MAP sensor sends incorrect information to the ECU the check engine light will show up. If this happens, then take your vehicle to the auto service centre without resetting the check engine light.
HOW A MAP SENSOR FAILS
There could be several factors behind MAP sensor failure, given it is connected to various electrical components under the hood. A leak or damage in the vacuum chamber of the component will cause the MAP sensor to generate wrong readings. Moreover, dirt and debris can hinder the performance of a MAP sensor. It can catch debris and dirt from the road or engine bay.
These are all the bad MAP sensor symptoms that you need to pay attention to and take prompt action. If you are sure that its faulty, replace it at the first instant. This is vital to your safety as well as passengers and will save you from expensive repairs and replacement of other auto parts and above all ‘the engine.’
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information about different auto parts and their maintenance/repair guides.
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