P0100 Mass or volume air flow sensor circuit fault

Mass or volume air flow circuit malfunction

Monitor

The code reports a sensor circuit fault; Nissan bulletins list it with only the light on, though an Infiniti revision mentions rough running and surging.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Get it inspected soon if the engine surges, runs rough or loses power; Infiniti and Jaguar bulletins describe these symptoms.

Source: how we rate severity

P0100 in short

P0100 means the computer sees a fault in the mass air flow sensor circuit. Likely causes are a dirty or failed sensor, damaged wiring or a loose connector, or an intake air leak. You can usually drive a short distance, but get it checked if the engine surges or loses power.

The mass air flow sensor tells the computer how much air enters the engine so it can set fuel. P0100 is set when the sensor signal is missing, out of range or does not make sense.

Nissan and Infiniti published bulletins for the code with only the light on or with rough running, surging and low power. Jaguar lists it with a restricted performance message.

Check any other airflow or fuel trim codes stored with it.

Most likely causes

These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.

  1. Dirty or failed mass air flow sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Reference pages name the sensor first, and Nissan and Infiniti bulletins identify the mass airflow sensor for this code.
    What would change this
    Rises if the airflow reading at idle is far from typical. Falls if it looks plausible.
    How to test the mass airflow (maf) sensor

  2. Wiring or connector fault at the sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    An open or short in the sensor circuit gives the same code.
    What would change this
    Rises if wiggling the harness changes the reading. Falls if wiring tests clean.

  3. Intake air leak or restriction near the sensor

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Reference pages list air path faults as a secondary possibility.
    What would change this
    Rises if hoses or the air box show damage. Falls if the intake is sound.
    How to test the vacuum hoses and intake leaks

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all codes. Note P0101, P0102, P0103 and fuel trim codes.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

  2. With the engine at idle, read the airflow in grams per second and check the sensor connector and intake hoses.

    Low riskTool: scan tool with live data

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Rough idle, surging or hesitation
  • Low power or restricted performance message Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Rough idle with the check engine light on

How to fix

  1. With the engine off, check the air flow sensor connector and intake hoses for damage.

  2. Check that the air filter is clean and the air box is closed properly.

Parts and cost context

  • Mass airflow (MAF) sensor:Clean only with a cleaner made for mass air sensors. Labour varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Nissan

  • 1997 · Altima

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan NTB97059A covers 1997 vehicles with P0100 stored and the light on. Not verified as current.

  • 2000–2001 · Maxima

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan NTB01036 covers the 2000 to 2001 Maxima with P0100 stored. Not verified as current.

  • NTB97059AStatus unverified

    Information on MIL on with P0100 stored

    1997altima, sentra · issued · NHTSA 601731

    Nissan information for the light with P0100 stored. The summary does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • NTB01036Status unverified

    MIL on with P0100 mass airflow sensor stored

    2000–2001maxima · issued · NHTSA 629182

    Covers the light on with P0100 stored on the 2000 to 2001 Maxima.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Infiniti

  • 2000–2002 · I30

    Supported by vehicle data

    Infiniti ITB01029 covers the light with P0100 on the I30 and Q45, later revisions with rough running, surging and low power. Not verified as current.

  • ITB01029Status unverified

    MIL on with P0100 mass airflow sensor

    2000–2002i30, q45 · issued · NHTSA 625230

    Covers the light on with P0100 (mass airflow sensor) stored on the I30 and Q45. Later revisions mention rough running, surging and low power.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jaguar

  • 2017–2018 · F-PACE

    Supported by vehicle data

    Jaguar SSM73671 covers lack of power with P0100 on the F-Pace, F-Type and XE. Not verified as current.

  • SSM73671Status unverified

    Lack of power and restricted performance with P0100

    2017–2018f-pace · issued · NHTSA 10127287

    Covers lack of power, a restricted performance message and the light with P0100-38 stored. Also lists F-Type and XE models.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0101Airflow sensor reading doesn't match what the engine computer expects for the throttle opening

    Same system Common general cause

    P0101 is the range/performance version of the same sensor circuit.

  • P0102The airflow sensor's signal is lower than the engine computer will accept

    Same system Common general cause

    P0102 is the low-input version of the same circuit.

  • P0170Bank 1 fuel trim has gone out of range

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Mercedes bulletin 29992 lists P0100 with P0170.

All Air metering (MAF, MAP and intake air temperature) codes

P0100 questions

Can I clean the air flow sensor to fix P0100?

It can help if the sensor is only dirty, but use a cleaner made for it and rule out wiring and air leaks first.

Sources and review

  1. Nissan NTB97059A: Information on MIL on with P0100 stored — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
  2. Infiniti ITB01029: MIL on with P0100 mass airflow sensor — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
  3. Jaguar SSM73671: Lack of power and restricted performance with P0100 — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
  4. P0100 trouble code explanation — TroubleCodes.net
  5. P0100 OBD-II trouble code — PartsAvatar
  6. Mercedes-benz 29992: Check engine light with P0100 and P0170 — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
  7. Nissan NTB01036: MIL on with P0100 mass airflow sensor stored — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
Editorial review
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