P0102 – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, & Fixes

What Does Code P0102 Mean?

• P0102 definition: Mass or Circuit Airflow (MAF) Circuit Low Voltage Input
• Issue Severity: LOW – Continued driving for a short period of time is okay
• Repair Urgency: Get this code fixed within the next month.
• Diagnosis: It is important to complete the entire diagnostic process when diagnosing the P0102 code. This DTC can be triggered by a clogged or faulty MAF sensor, corroded/damaged wiring, or even a dirty air filter.
• Common Reason: Code P0102 is often related to a bad mass airflow sensor.

The Mass Airflow (MAF) sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine. When code P0102 is set, there is a low voltage output to the ECM, PCM, or ECU depending on your car type (check your owner’s manual for your specific car).

P0102 Causes

• Dirty air filter
• Faulty MAF sensor
• Corroded/Damaged MAF circuit terminals
• Carbon covered MAF sensor screens

P0102 Symptoms

• Check Engine Light
• Less power to the engine
• Low fuel consumption – causing engine damage

How Do I Fix Code P0102?

With a P0102 code, the first step is to get it properly diagnosed to figure out what is causing the malfunction in the MAF circuit. Using the live data function of the FIXD sensor and app allows you to read and analyze engine data to properly diagnose a P0102 code.

If the sensors are all reading correctly and you’re not comfortable further diagnosing this issue at home, we recommend finding a RepairPal-certified shop to pinpoint the problem and give an accurate estimate for repairs.

These shops can not only help you figure out what’s going wrong before you waste time and money on the wrong parts, but they also offer a minimum 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty and stand behind all their estimates with guaranteed fair pricing.

> Find a RepairPal Certified Shop Near You

How Much Does It Cost to Fix Code P0102?

If you take your car to a shop for diagnosis, most shops will start with an hour of “diag time” (the time spent in labor diagnosing your specific issue). Depending on the shop’s labor rate, this typically costs somewhere between $75-$150. Many, if not most, shops will apply this diagnosis fee to any required repairs if you have them perform the repairs for you. From there, a shop will be able to give you an accurate estimate for repairs to fix your P0102 code.

Possible Repair Costs for P0102

When it comes to making repairs associated with the P0102code, one or more of the below repairs may be needed to solve the underlying issue. For each possible repair, the estimated cost of repair includes the cost of the relevant parts and the cost of labor required to make the repair.

• Air filter $50-70
• Mass air flow sensor $220-320
• Catalytic converter $1720-1780

DIY Steps to Diagnose Code P0102

If you’d like to try to fix code P0102 at home without throwing money at parts, you’ll want to follow the steps below for proper diagnosis. Complete diagnosis may require some specialized equipment beyond what the FIXD Sensor can provide, but the biggest challenge for this repair is that internal engine issues could be the root cause of this code. As such, this diagnosis and repair should not be attempted by beginner DIYers.

DIY difficulty level: Beginner

This repair can be attempted by beginner DIYers.

Tools/parts needed (our top picks from Amazon):

• FIXD

STEP 1: USE FIXD TO ENSURE NO OTHER ENGINE CODES ARE PRESENT.

Scan your vehicle to verify P0150 is the only code present. If other codes are present, they must be addressed first.

STEP 2: INSPECT AIR FILTER.

Check your air filter and replace, if needed.

STEP 3: INSPECT MAF SENSOR.

The quickest way to check if your Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor is the problem is to disconnect your electrical harness while your car is running. Check your owner’s manual to locate the MAF sensor for your specific car. NOTE: Make sure that all other parts of your vehicle have cooled down (6-8 hours inactive) before doing this test.

If your car’s engine shuts off, your MAF sensor is operating normally, so you should check the wiring and connectors. If the engine does not shut off, the MAF sensor is not operating normally. Remove and inspect the MAF sensor, and clean it properly if there is evidence of carbon build up. If the MAF sensor still isn’t operating properly after being cleaned, it is likely that the MAF sensor needs to be replaced.

STEP 4: CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL.

If at this point the vehicle is still setting the same code, you may have a more serious problem with your car’s MAF sensor system, and you should bring the vehicle to a certified shop to have further diagnostic work performed.

Common P0102 diagnosis mistakes

Replacing the MAF sensor without inspecting the wiring and air filter first.

Still Need Help Fixing Code P0102?

If you’ve followed the steps above and are still experiencing issues with the mass air flow system and code P0102, please contact the FIXD Mechanic Hotline if you’re a FIXD Premium subscriber or find a RepairPal certified shop near you to get the right repairs at a fair price.

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