In many cars on the road today, the engine control module calculates the airflow in your vehicle. The engine control module uses a mass airflow or manifold absolute pressure sensor, also known as the MAP sensor. In certain luxury and high-powered cars, turbocharged engines can use both. However, in most vehicles, you will either find a MAP or MAF sensor.
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This MAP Sensor is crucial to keeping your engine running smoothly and safely. If you notice any symptoms of a bad sensor that can increase the MAP sensor price, you need to replace this part right away.
The average cost of the MAP sensor price ranges from between $119 and $215, with the cost of the parts ranging between $93 and $181, and the cost of labor between just $26 and $34 for the entire job.
MAP Sensor Function
Engines that use the MAP sensor are generally fuel injected. This means that these engines introduce fuel in the internal combustion engine by means of an injector. The manifold’s absolute pressure sensor, which analyzes the applied force by the fluid on a surface, provides the manifold pressure info directly to the engine’s electronic control unit.
Electronic Control Unit
The electronic control unit is an embedded system in automotive electronics that controls multiple electrical systems and subsystems. The engine control unit controls a series of actuators on an internal combustion engine to ensure the best engine performance.
The electronic control unit reads values from sensors, like the MAP sensor, interprets the data using multidimensional performance maps, and adjusts the actuators. If the ECM is not working correctly, it can increase the MAP sensor price.
Fuel-Injected Engine
A fuel-injected engine might also use a mass airflow sensor to determine the type of intake airflow and the pressure. The mass airflow sensor, or the MAF sensor, determines the mass flow rate of air that enters the fuel-injected internal combustion engine. The naturally aspirated engine uses one or the other, with the choice contributing to the overall MAP sensor price.
Induction Engine
A forced induction engine uses both sensors, utilizing the MAF and MAP sensors. The MAF sensor, which determines the mass airflow rate on the charge pipe, and the MAP sensor goes to the intake section.
MAP sensor data converts into air mass data by utilizing technology from an IAT Sensor using the speed-density method. This MAP sensor can be used in OBD-II applications to test the EGR valve for functionality. If the EGR valve or the OBD-II system is not working correctly, it can increase the MAP sensor price.
Symptoms of a Faulty MAP Sensor
MAP sensors can fail for many reasons, with the most common being getting clogged, getting filled with debris, getting contaminated, or getting damaged. Sometimes, the engine heat can cause too much friction and generate too much heat for the MAP sensor or crack vacuum lines’ electronic components.
If the MAP sensor becomes damaged or breaks down over time, the ECM can’t calculate the correct engine load. If the mixture has not enough fuel, it is too lean, and there is not enough fuel. Either of these fuel mixtures can be symptoms of a bad map sensor.
So, what is the best way to know that your MAP sensor is going bad or becoming damaged? We have narrowed down the key problems to look out for.
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Lack of Power
Suppose the electronic control module is reading that there is a high vacuum, the opposite problem of what we previously mentioned. In that case, this assumes that the engine load is very low and prevents the spark timing. The fuel consumption will lower, which is good for the fuel economy, but this could backfire – if too little fuel is consumed, then the engine might not have enough power for the basic functions, like accelerating and passing.
Reduced fuel consumption and a lack of horsepower from the engine can cause a higher MAP sensor price in your vehicle.
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Rough Idle
Without enough fuel injection to provide the engine with oil, this can lead to rough idling and even cylinder misfiring. A rough idling engine is caused by various issues, like spark plugs or spark wires becoming damaged over time. A spark plug that is damaged due to prolonged use or installed incorrectly, can result in the fuel burning at the wrong time.
Causes of Rough Engine Idle
Vacuum Leak – The throttle in modern cars also creates a vacuum within the intake manifold. However, over time, these hoses can succumb to wear and tear and become damaged over time or develop a leak. If too much air gets mixed in with the fuel, this can cause the engine to misfire, resulting in a rough idle when cold, usually at a higher RPM.
Spark Plugs – An engine with a rough idle can also result from faulty spark plugs or damaged spark plug wires. Spark plugs use the ignition coils’ electrical current to ignite the air’s correct ratio to fuel mixture within the engine’s combustion chamber. A plug that has become damaged can result in the fuel being burned at an improper rate, not allowing combustion.
Dirty Fuel Injector – Sometimes, the dirty parts that have accumulated debris in the engine of your car can also be the main cause of the rough idling engine. Fuel injectors disperse and transport fuel into your car’s engine at the right angle and in the right amount to fuel the car, ensuring optimal performance and presenting rough idle and a higher MAP sensor price.
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Poor Fuel Economy
If your electronic control module is reading very low vacuum or no vacuum, then the ECM is guessing that the engine is at a high load and ends up putting more fuel into the system and sparking the timing in too soon. The early spark timing can lead to higher fuel consumption, which results in a lower fuel economy and possible multiple explosions or small detonations.
There are many reasons that you might have a poor or reduced fuel economy in your car. This fuel economy issue can also turn on your check engine light, alerting the driver to a bad map sensor’s symptoms.
The causes of a reduced fuel economy are sluggish o2 sensors, defective coolant sensors, damaged engine thermostat, engine misfiring, intake manifold for EGR able leaks, and worn spark plugs. Any one of these problems can result in a reduced fuel economy and a higher MAP sensor price.
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Failed Emissions Inspection
Since the fuel injection does not directly relate to an engine load, the broken MAP sensor that needs replacing can increase harmful emissions, generating higher hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. The emission inspection includes the confirmation or absence of the vehicle’s required emission control devices. The device required in the car is the gas cap, ensuring it is in good condition and fits properly.
Emissions testing for each car determines the number of air pollutants coming from the exhaust of your vehicle. If your car does not pass the test, you need to repair your vehicle and do any replacement necessary. If you notice any bad map sensor symptoms, chances are you’ll have to do some repairs and replacements on your car to pass the emissions inspection and prevent an expensive MAP sensor cost.
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Hard Engine Starting
A very rich or a mixture that is too lean makes the engine difficult to start and fire up, causing the engine to only start when your foot is on the accelerator. If you notice that it is taking longer to start your vehicle and there is a jerk when the car finally starts, there could be various reasons, like fouled spark plugs.
Spark plugs are necessary for creating the spark to start the car – if these parts are damaged, you will also notice faulty MAP sensor symptoms and a higher MAP sensor price.
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Hesitation or Stalling Engine
When you start from a dead stop in your car or try to accelerate in your vehicle, stepping on the gas might not provide the same amount of power as if you had a working MAP sensor. Your car’s hesitation can lead to a higher MAP sensor price due to the damage caused to the vehicle.
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Check Engine Light
Depending on how old your vehicle is, the make, the model, and the vehicle, the MAP sensor diagnostic codes might range from simple faults to range faults, like correlation faults. A failing MAP sensor might give the ECM incorrect data and turn on the check engine light and increase the replacement’s MAP sensor price.
MAP Sensor Replacement Costs
To figure out how much you might pay for the MAP Sensor replacement for your specific vehicle, we have added the price of a few of the most common and popular cars on the market today. We also included sample prices so you can get a feel for how much you might spend if you did end up taking your car to the local mechanic’s office. Let’s check it out.
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Inexpensive MAP Sensor Price
On the lower end of the price spectrum, the Ford Fusion and the Ford Focus are the two least expensive MAP sensor replacement options. With labor costing between just $26 and $34, and the parts only cost around $93-$181, the total cost ranges from $119-$215. Although the MAP sensor price is not very expensive compared to more extensive and heavy-duty repairs like the engine and the transmission, it can still put a hole in your wallet.
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Expensive MAP Sensor Price
We have the Toyota cars – the Camry, Corolla, and the Nissan Altima on the higher end of the price range. Although this is more expensive, it is only a total of $8 more on the low end. Regardless of what kind of car you own, the MAP Sensor replacement will be a low-cost fix that will take very little time when compared to more extensive replacements.
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MAP Sensor Replacement Timing
The most common sign and symptom that the MAP sensor is not working is that the check engine light will be on in your car. Although this can happen for many reasons, it is crucial to figure out the real reason behind the check engine light is on.
The other reasons that the check engine light might turn on besides the MAP sensor is a faulty oxygen sensor, loose gas cap, faulty catalytic converter, and faulty ignition coil. In addition, a bad spark plug, bad mass airflow sensor, non-compatible aftermarket alarm, and leaky vacuum hose on the EVAP system can cause the engine light to turn on.
Besides the check engine light from coming on, you might also notice that the black smoke is coming out of the exhaust because the engine is overheating, working too hard, causing friction, and burning too much fuel. Excessive friction may cause the engine to misfire, stall, and stop – which can be very dangerous while driving on the road.
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Save Money with MAP Sensor Price
Those looking for a way to save money might want to try repairing this issue themselves instead of bringing it to a mechanic, which can get costly over time. In most cases, this replacement of the MAP sensor is not very complicated and can be done with some knowledge and tools.
Just make sure that before you try embarking on this repair or replacement at your home or office that you don’t mistakenly replace the incorrect part, which might be in working order, or miss a serious and severe issue that needs to be fixed.
If doing the work yourself does not sound like you or do not have the right experience, you can also find another way to save money. You can compare rates among your local mechanics near your house to prevent any extra driving or towing costs and make sure that you find one with a reputable review.
Conclusion
As you can see, the MAP sensor is a crucial part of every car on the road, so paying extra money for the total MAP sensor price should not be a concern for any vehicle owner!