another MAF thing

[Domnknpimp]

"There are different types of Mass Air FLow sensors. The vane air flow meter and the Karmen vortex are two older styles of air flow sensors and they can be identified by their shape. The newer, and more common is the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

Mass Air FLow Sensor: Hot Wire Type
The primary components of the MAF sensor are a thermistor, a platinum hot wire, and an electronic control circuit. An increase in air flow will cause the hot wire to lose heat faster and the electronic control circuitry will compensate by sending more current though the wire.

Vane Air Flow Meter
The Vane Air Flow Meter provides the ECM with an accurate measure ofthe load placed on the engine. The ECM uses it to calculate basic injection duration and basic ignition advance angle. Vane Air FLow Meters consist of the following components:
-Measuring Plate
-Compensation Plate
-Return Spring
-Potentiometer
-Bypass Air Passage
-Idle Adjusting Screw
-Fuel Pump Switch
-Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor"

The 92-93 4 Cyl MX-3 uses a Vane Air Flow Meter. The Vane Air Flow Meter, however is a type of MAF.

"Volume Air Flow
The Volume Air Flow (VAF) is the amount of outside air that goes through an engine during a specified time period. The same volume of air is drawn in as the piston moves down regardless of engine speed (RPM), load (throttle opening), or intake manifold pressure.

Mass Air Flow
Mass air flow (MAF) is calculated using the volume air flow and a value for density calculated from the temperature and pressure near the air filter or in the intake manifold. Once the mass air flow is known, the engine electronic control unit (ECU) can calculate the amount of fuel to add to achieve a pre-determined air/fuel mixing ratio.
"


For more information visit http://members.aol.com/robogeek/airfuel.htm

or

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h34.pdf

If you still dont understand the difference, then just give up.

[atlantamx3]

Please put this in the FAQ.

That is great info.

[Tempus]

probably need something in there to indicate that not all VAF's use a trapdoor... some of ours use a cone that is displaced 'down' the tube as more air flows past it.. Just cause it's circular in shape don't make it a MAF...