MAP Sensor
This issue
I am going to explain the MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure), MAF (Mass Air Flow),
and IAT (Intake Air Temperature sensors and their functions.
Stock Fiero engines have MAP and IAT sensors but no MAF.
Most popular engine swaps do utilize MAF sensors so I will cover those as
well.
Some
engines only utilize a MAP or Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor.
The MAP sensor has 5 volt reference and ground inputs and in turn outputs
a voltage signal between 0 and 5 volts depending on the pressure it senses.
This sensor is responsible for measuring the pressure in the intake
manifold relative to atmospheric pressure.
When the pressure it senses is lower than atmospheric pressure (vacuum),
the sensor will output a lower voltage.
As the pressure it senses rises to match atmospheric pressure (vacuum
drops), the voltage output of this sensor rises.
This sensor also doubles as a barometric pressure sensor.
When you turn the key on before starting the engine, the ECM takes the
reading off the MAP sensor and uses that to calculate barometric pressure.
The ECM uses barometric pressure as the basis for calculating fuel and
spark delivery to the engine.
When the engine is started, the ECM uses the MAP sensor readings to determine
engine load. This is the primary
sensor it uses to determine fuel and spark delivery to the engine.
The MAP sensor reading is factored in with engine RPM to calculate
volumetric efficiency. This is
known as Speed Density (engine speed and density of the air charge).
Volumetric efficiency (VE) is the term used to describe the amount of air
an engine is ingesting vs. the amount of air it can actually hold, expressed in
a percentage. If the engine is
ingesting the maximum amount of air it can hold, then that engine is considered
to be operating at 100% VE. Most
naturally aspirated engines never see 100% VE; but engines using specially-tuned
intake manifolds can accomplish this.
Of course this can also be accomplished and exceeded with a turbo or
supercharger by adding boost. Most
naturally aspirated engines typically see up to 80-90% VE without a tuned intake
design.
Obviously if there is a problem with the MAP sensor, or the vacuum/pressure
readings it is getting are not accurate, this is going to greatly affect the way
the engine runs. GM MAP sensors
aren’t easily prone to failure, but I have seen them fail if exposed to great
pressures such as what could occur if the engine backfired thru the intake.
The most common situation that I see that can cause issues with the MAP
sensor is a vacuum leak. Any kind
of vacuum leak will cause the pressure levels the MAP sensor sees to be lower
than expected. This tends to cause
the Air/Fuel mixture to go rich (because the ECM thinks the engine is under a
load).
On most OBD1 applications, there are two trouble codes associated with the MAP
sensor. A code 33 will set if the
MAP sensor output voltage is higher than expected (indicating low vacuum) and a
code 34 will set if the MAP sensor output voltage is lower than expected
(indicating high vacuum). As with
any trouble code detected, you should not assume the presence of either one of
these codes indicates the MAP sensor itself is bad.
All electrical and vacuum connections to the MAP sensor should be
verified before replacing the part.
To give a couple examples of what to look for should you get a code 33 would be
a vacuum leak, mechanical issue with the engine causing very low vacuum levels,
or an electrical problem between the sensor and ECM.
If you are getting a code 34 you should look for a collapsed or blocked
vacuum line going to the MAP sensor or electrical problem between the ECM and
sensor. Normal output voltage of a
MAP sensor should be about 4.5 volts or so with key on, engine off; and less
than 1.5 volts with engine running at idle.
At full throttle you should see MAP output voltage above 4 volts.
If there is a fault with the MAP sensor or the readings the ECM is
getting from it are incorrect, the engine will most likely run very poorly, lack
power, hesitate, backfire, or surge.
Basically overall engine operation will most likely be unstable.
The stock MAP sensor used on all non-supercharged and non-turbocharged engines
is what as known as a 1-bar MAP sensor.
This means the sensor is designed to read up to 1-bar of atmospheric
pressure difference. Applications
using a turbo or supercharger may have a 2- or 3-bar MAP sensor.
A 2-bar MAP sensor will read up to 2-bars of atmospheric pressure
difference, and a 3-bar will read up to 3.
But all of these sensors must still operate within the same voltage
output specs as a 1-bar. So in order to accomplish this, the output voltage must
be scaled accordingly. This means
the output voltage of a 2-bar map sensor with the key on and engine off is going
to be somewhere around 2.5 volts.
You cannot mix and match 1, 2, and 3 bar MAP sensors.
The computer must be programmed to work with whatever type of MAP sensor
you are using, or the fuel and spark delivery will not be correct (and trouble
codes may set).
IAT Sensor
If present, the Intake Air Temp (IAT) sensor (aka: MAT – Manifold Air Temp) is
used by the ECM to tell it the temperature of the air coming into the engine.
The ECM uses this input to aid in the calculation of fuel and spark
delivery. The IAT sensor is a
simple thermistor which means its resistance changes based on its temperature.
The ECM supplies the IAT sensor with a ground and a reference signal.
The IAT sensor pulls down (towards ground) the reference signal based on
temperature and the ECM looks at this to calculate temperature.
High resistance equates to less reference voltage pull down which the
computer interprets as low temperature while low resistance equates to more
reference voltage pull down which the computer interprets as high temperature.
The actual amount of impact this sensor has on engine operation is relatively
minor, depending on programming.
Most stock programming I have looked at doesn’t adjust fuel or timing much at
all based on IAT sensor readings.
Most TBI-type fuel injection systems do not use an IAT sensor.
On most OBD1 applications, two trouble codes are associated with the IAT sensor.
A code 23 indicates the intake air temp reading is lower than expected.
If this code is present, before replacing the sensor you should check for
an open circuit to the IAT sensor wiring.
A code 25 indicates the intake air temp reading is higher than expected.
If this code is present, check IAT signal wire for a short to ground
before replacing the sensor. If
either code is set, or there is a problem with the IAT sensor, it is unlikely
you may notice any running change in the engine.
However, in some cases (depending on computer programming) if the ECM is
not getting the correct reading from the IAT sensor, it may be altering the
spark advance or fuel delivery to the engine incorrectly which may cause some
drivability issues such as spark knock (detonation), loss of power, or exhaust
odor because of incorrect fuel mixture.
The IAT sensor can be tested using a simple ohm meter.
In order to test this sensor, unplug it from the wiring harness and
measure the resistance across its two terminals.
The temperature vs. resistance chart is below…
°F
°C
OHMS
210
100
185
160
70
450
100
38
1,800
70
20
3,400
40
4
7,500
20
-7
13,500
0
-18
25,000
-40
-40
100,700
MAF Sensor
The MAF or Mass Air Flow sensor (if present) is the main sensor used by the ECM
to determine Fuel Delivery. MAF
sensors usually consist of a tube that may or may not contain passages but all
types contain some kind of sensing element.
The MAF sensor is usually installed in the induction system close to the
engine or might even be part of the throttle body.
Most MAF sensors calculate airflow depending on temperature changes
detected by its sensing elements using its internal circuitry.
In turn the sensor outputs a signal to the ECM that is used to determine
airflow and calculate engine load.
Most modern MAF sensors output a varying frequency signal which can only be
accurately measured using specialized testing equipment, such as a lab waveform
scope.
Some computer systems utilizing MAF sensors tend to use this sensor as the main
input for calculations that determine fuel and spark delivery to the engine.
However, in some pre-OBD2 and early OBD-2 applications where both a MAP
and MAF sensor are present, the computer may be using the MAF sensor to only
determine fuel delivery while it uses the MAP sensor to determine spark advance.
Yet, in other applications (such as later OBD-2), the MAP sensor is
primarily used as a backup should the MAF sensor fail; while the MAF sensor is
the primary device used by the ECM to calculate fuel and spark delivery to the
engine. To further complicate matters,
there are applications (usually LS1 car and Vortec Truck) where both the MAF and
MAP are used to determine fuel delivery. These systems rely on the MAP
sensor to supply quickly changing information used for acceleration enrichment
calculations where the MAF sensor is used for less dynamic fuel delivery modes.
Most modern MAF sensors also contain an IAT sensor.
Like the MAP sensor, if a trouble code sets for a MAF sensor error, some things
must first be checked before replacing the sensor.
Leaks in the air induction system or intake manifold can cause the MAF
sensor to produce false readings, so can faulty wiring.
MAF sensors that output a frequency signal to the ECM can also give false
readings if they are exposed to electromagnetic interference such as what is
generated by the ignition system.
Output voltage and frequency specs differ depending on application and type of
MAF sensor used, so refer to the correct service manual information for your
specific testing procedures.