Ever started up your Mercedes and wondered what the P0101 error code means? If the malfunction indicator light (MIL) appears on your Mercedes Benz dashboard, this indicates the car’s on-board diagnostics sensor (OBD-II/OBD 2) has identified a problem regarding the mass air flow sensor (MAF Sensor).
What is the Mass Air flow (MAF) sensor?
The MAF sensor also known as meter is located after the air filter, in the engine intake. It measures the amount of air that enters the engine via the throttle valve. Mass air flow sensor takes the form of a heated film through which an electric current passes from your car's Engine Control Module (ECM), which helps to control its temperature. The intake air reduces the heat of this film, so in instances of greater airflow, the ECM needs to generate more electric current to stabilise the MAF's temperature.
What are the main causes?
Your dashboard will display the P0101 error code when your car's diagnostics note that the frequency readings from the MAF sensor are outside of its expected range.
The most common causes of the P0101 error code include a dirty or clogged air filter, a cracked or damaged air intake, or even the MAF sensor itself being contaminated or damaged. All of these factors would cause your Mercedes’ system to take incorrect or unexpected sensor readings that would alert the car’s systems to the issues with your car, resulting in the P0101 diagnostics trouble code (DTC).
Symptoms of a bad MAF sensor
There are a number of signs that there might be problems with your Mercedes' MAF sensor. These include loss of engine power, bad gear shifting - changing gears only at high RPM, the engine stalling after starting, hesitation and jerking during acceleration, the engine hiccuping, or excessively rich or lean idling.
These are the most common fault codes for malfunctioning MAF:
- P0101 - Mass or Air Flow Volume Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
- P010162 P0101-62 - Mass Air Flow Sensor 1 has a malfunction the signal comparision is faulty
- P0100 - Mass Air Flow MAF sensor Circuit Malfunction
- P0102 - Mass Air flow MAF Circuit Low Voltage Input signal
- P0103 - Mass Air flow MAF Circuit High Voltage Input signal
- P0104 - Mass Air flow MAF Circuit Intermittent
- P0101FA P0101FB P0101FC Mass air flow sensor 1 has a malfunction
- P0101FD P0101(FD) Mass Air Flow MAF sensor/volume air flow VAF sensor - range/performance problem
- P0101 Mass air flow MAF sensor/volume air flow VAF sensor - range/performance problem
How to fix P0100 P0101 P0102 P0103 P0104 error codes
As the P0101 trouble code relates to internal damage, there’s not much that can be done at the roadside to solve the issue. With the air cooling system being potentially torn or clogged up you’d need to work with internal parts to resolve the problem, so you’d be best off asking a fully qualified mechanic. However, this is an issue that can be prevented before it starts.
P0101FA P0101FB P0101FC Diagnostic Trouble codes cause:
- Seal under engine control unit compressed
- Air filter cartridge/element slats distorted
- Leakage in intake system
These causes just apply to above 3 DTC on mercedes-benz cars.
Tips on preventing the P0101 error code
Ensure that your filter is always dust-free, dirt-free and oil-free to make sure the filter is effective. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the air filter. If after this you find it still doesn’t work, the enclosure for the air filter could need replacement to make sure the entire system is functional.
Can problems with the MAF sensor cause transmission problems?
Yes! It's essential that you do your best to prevent a bad MAF sensor, as it can cause automatic transmission problems by changing the shifting pattern. It can also lead to a fault in your car's engine computer not recognising your correct fuel level, which is why you may find your Check or Service Engine light starts blinking.
Mercedes-benz A6450900048 5WK98101 MAF sensors available to buy at Xenons4U and of course more additional information about mass air flow metter.
Mercedes-Benz part numbers:
- A6450900048
- A645-090-00-48-80
- A645090004880
- A6519050500
- A651 090 01 48 A6510900148
- A651 090 00 14 A6510900014
- A651 090 00 48 A6510900048
- A6510900248 A6510900014
- A6510900048 A6510900148
Continental part numbers:
- 5WK98101
- 5WK98105
- 5WK97917
- 5WK97817
Compatible Mercedes Benz cars:
- A Class W176 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
- B Class W242 W246 2015 2016 2017 2018
- B class B180d B200d B220d CDI
- C-class W204 Saloon Sedan S204 Estate C204 Coupe
- C Cass W205 Saloon Sedan
- C Class S205 Estate Touring
- C Class A205 Cabriolet Convertible
- C Class C205 Coupe
- C Class 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
- C Class C180 C200 C220 BlueTec C250 C300 C350 C400 C450
- CLA-class C117 Coupe 2014 2015 2016 2017
- CLS C218 X218 CLS220d BlueTEC
- CLA C117 CLA180d CLA200d CLA220d CDI
- CLA X117 CLA180d CLA200d CLA220d CLA220 CDI
- GLA X156 GLA180d GLA200d GLA220d GLA220d CDI
- GLC X253 C253 W253 Hatchback Coupe 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
- GLC GLC300 GLC350e GLC220d GLC 220d GLC250d GLC350d GLC300
- E-class W212 S212 C207 A207 Facelift E250 BlueTEC 4Matic 2014 2015 2016
- GLE300d 4Matic 2016 2017
- ML250 2015
- GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic 2013 2014 2015
- GLK X204 SUV GLK220CDI GLK250CDI
- S-class W222 S300d BlueTec Hybrid h
- Sprinter W906 2.2 3.5 3.5-t 3-t 4.6-t 5-t 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
- Vito Tourer W447 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
- Sprinter 3.5-t 310CDI 313CDI 316CDI
- Sprinter 4.6-t Van
- Viano W639 2.0 2.2 CDI
- Vito W639 110 113 116 CDI
Replacing your Mercedes Benz MAF sensor
Whilst this has been a quick and simple guide to resolving your Mercedes Benz P0101 issues, they can be avoided entirely by keeping your car serviced and looked after by professionals. If you’re not sure what the issue is, don’t try to figure it out yourself; enlist the help of someone that knows what they’re doing. Here at Xenons4U, we offer a selection of automotive parts to help you get your Mercedes back to its peak performance levels.
