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Manifold Absolute Pressure MAP Sensors


Manifold Absolute Pressure MAP Sensor

The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor is a key sensor because it senses engine load. The sensor generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of vacuum in the intake manifold. The engine computer then uses this information to adjust ignition timing and fuel enrichment.

When the engine is working hard, intake vacuum drops as the throttle opens wide. The engine sucks in more air, which requires more fuel to keep the air/fuel ratio in balance. In fact, when the computer reads a heavy load signal from the MAP sensor, it usually makes the fuel mixture go slightly richer than normal so the engine can produce more power. At the same time, the computer will retard (back off) ignition timing slightly to prevent detonation (spark knock) that can damage the engine and hurt performance.

When conditions change and the vehicle is cruising along under light load, coasting or decelerating, less power is needed from the engine. The throttle is not open very wide or may be closed causing intake vacuum to increase. The MAP sensor senses this and the computer responds by leaning out the fuel mixture to reduce fuel consumption and advances ignition timing to squeeze a little more fuel economy out of the engine.

HOW A MAP SENSOR WORKS

MAP sensors are called manifold absolute pressure sensors rather than intake vacuum sensors because they measure the difference in pressure between the outside atmosphere and the vacuum level inside the intake manifold.

Ambient air pressure typically varies from 28 to 31 inches of Mercury (Hg) depending on your location and climate conditions. Higher elevations have lower air pressure than areas next to the ocean or someplace like Death Valley, California, which is actually below sea level. In pounds per square inch, the atmosphere exerts 14.7 PSI at sea level on average.

The vacuum inside an engine's intake manifold, by comparison, can range from zero up to 22 inches Hg or more depending on operating conditions. Vacuum at idle is always high and typically ranges from 16 to 20 inches Hg in most vehicles. The highest level of vacuum occurs when decelerating with the throttle closed. The pistons are trying to suck in air but the closed throttle chokes off the air supply creating a high vacuum inside the intake manifold (typically four to five inches Hg higher than at idle). When the throttle is suddenly opened, as when accelerating hard, the engine sucks in a big gulp of air and vacuum plummets to zero. Vacuum then slowly climbs back up as the throttle closes.

The reason why MAP sensors measure pressure differential rather than vacuum alone is because atmospheric pressure changes with the weather and elevation. Since this affects the balance of the air/fuel mixture, the computer needs a way to detect the changes so it can compensate. Some vehicles use a "baro" sensor to measure barometric pressure (that's meteorologist lingo for atmospheric air pressure) and a vacuum sensor connected to the intake manifold to measure intake vacuum. The computer compares the readings, calculates the difference and makes the necessary fuel mixture and timing adjustments. But it's easier to let the MAP sensor measure the difference. On some vehicles, the MAP sensor is also used to check barometric pressure when the ignition is first switched on. This is done as a sort of baseline calibration check.

On turbocharged and supercharged engines, the situation is a little more complicated because under boost there may actually be positive pressure in the intake manifold. But the MAP sensor doesn't care because it just monitors the difference in pressure.

On engines with a "speed-density" electronic fuel injection system, airflow is estimated rather than measured directly with an airflow sensor. The computer looks at the MAP sensor signal along with engine rpm, throttle position, coolant temperature and ambient air temperature to estimate how much air is entering the engine. The computer may also take into account the oxygen sensor rich/lean signal and the position of the EGR valve, too, before making the required air/fuel mixture corrections to keep everything in balance. This approach to fuel management isn't as precise as systems that use a vane or mass airflow sensor to measure actual airflow, but it isn't as complex or as costly either.

Another advantage of speed-density EFI systems is that they are less sensitive to vacuum leaks. Any air that leaks into an engine on the back side an airflow sensor is "un-metered" air and really messes up the fine balance that's needed to maintain an accurate air/fuel mixture. In a speed-density system, the MAP sensor will detect the slight drop in vacuum caused by the air leak and the computer will compensate by adding more fuel.

On many GM engines that have a mass airflow sensor (MAF), a MAP sensor is also used as a backup in case the airflow signal is lost, and to monitor the operation of the EGR valve. No change in the MAP sensor signal when the EGR valve is commanded to open would indicate a problem with the EGR system and set a fault code.

ANALOG MAP SENSORS

The MAP sensor consists of two chambers separated by a flexible diaphragm. One chamber is the "reference air" (which may be sealed or vented to the outside air), and the other is the vacuum chamber which is connected to the intake manifold on the engine by a rubber hose or direct connection. The MAP sensor may be mounted on the firewall, inner fender or intake manifold.

A pressure sensitive electronic circuit inside the MAP sensor monitors the movement of the diaphragm and generates a voltage signal that changes in proportion to pressure. This produces an analog voltage signal that typically ranges from 1 to 5 volts.

Analog MAP sensors have a three-wire connector: ground, a 5-volt reference signal from the computer and the return signal. The output voltage usually increases when the throttle is opened and vacuum drops. A MAP sensor that reads 1 or 2 volts at idle may read 4.5 volts to 5 volts at wide open throttle. Output generally changes about 0.7 to 1.0 volts for every 5 inches Hg of change in vacuum.

Ford MAP Sensor AutoTap OBD II Diagnostic Scanner

FORD DIGITAL MAP SENSORS

Ford BP/MAP sensors (barometric pressure/manifold absolute pressure) also measure load but produce a digital frequency signal rather than an analog voltage signal. This type of sensor has additional circuitry that creates a 5 volt "square wave" (on-off) voltage signal. The signal increases in frequency as vacuum drops.

At idle or when decelerating, vacuum is high and the BP/MAP sensor output may drop to 100 Hz (Hertz, or cycles per second) or less. At wide open throttle when there is almost no vacuum in the intake manifold, the sensor's output may jump to 150 Hz or higher. At zero vacuum (atmospheric pressure), a Ford BP/MAP sensor should read 159 Hz.

MAP SENSOR DRIVABILITY SYMPTOMS

Anything that interferes with the MAP sensor's ability to monitor the pressure differential may upset the fuel mixture and ignition timing. This includes a problem with the MAP sensor itself, grounds or opens in the sensor wiring circuit, and/or vacuum leaks in the intake manifold (airflow sensor systems) or hose that connects the sensor to the engine.

Typical driveability symptoms that may be MAP related include:

* Surging.

* Rough idle.

* A rich fuel condition, which may cause spark plug fouling.

* Detonation due to too much spark advance and a lean fuel ratio.

* Loss of power and/or fuel economy due to retarded timing and an excessively rich fuel ratio.

A vacuum leak will reduce intake vacuum and cause the MAP sensor to indicate a higher than normal load on the engine. The computer will try to compensate by richening the fuel mixture and retarding timing -- which hurts fuel economy, performance and emissions.

MAP SENSOR CHECKS

First, make sure engine manifold vacuum is within specifications at idle. If vacuum is unusually low, there may be a vacuum leak (leaky hose connection, intake manifold or throttle body gasket, power brake booster, etc.), an exhaust restriction (clogged converter), or an EGR leak (EGR valve not closing at idle).

A low intake vacuum reading or excessive backpressure in the exhaust system can trick the MAP sensor into indicating there's a load on the engine. This may result in a rich fuel condition.

A restriction in the air intake (such as a plugged air filter), on the other hand, may produce higher than normal vacuum readings. This would result in a load low indication from the MAP sensor and possibly a lean fuel condition.

Next, check the sensor's vacuum hose for kinks or leaks. Then use a hand-held vacuum pump to check the sensor itself for leaks. The sensor should hold vacuum. Any leakage calls for replacement.

An outright failure of the MAP sensor, loss of the sensor signal due to a wiring problem, or a sensor signal that is outside the normal voltage or frequency range will usually set a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and turn on the Check Engine light.

use a scan tool to check MAP sensor input and fault codes
MAP SENSOR SCAN TOOL CHECKS

On 1995 and newer vehicles with OBD II self-diagnostics, a DTC code P0105 to P0109 would indicate a fault in the MAP sensor circuit.

On older pre-OBD II vehicles, the MAP codes are:

* General Motors: Codes 34, 33, 31

* Ford: Codes 22, 72

* Chrysler: Codes 13, 14

On vehicles that provide data stream through a diagnostic connector and allow a scan tool to display sensor values, the MAP sensor's output voltage can be read and compared to specifications. Basically, you want to see a quick and dramatic change in the MAP sensor signal when the throttle on an idling engine is snapped open and shut. No change would indicate a sensor or wiring fault.

If the sensor is reading low or there is no reading at all, check for proper reference voltage to the sensor. It should be very close to 5 volts. Also check the ground connection. If the reference voltage is low, check the wiring harness and connector for looseness, damage or corrosion.

Scan tools that display OBD II data will also display a "calculated load value" that can be used to determine if the MAP sensor is working or not. The load value is computed using inputs from the MAP sensor, TPS sensor, airflow sensor and engine speed. The value should be low at idle, and high when the engine is under load. No change in the value, or a higher than normal reading at idle might indicate a problem with the MAP sensor, TPS sensor or airflow sensor.

MAP sensor waveform

MAP SENSOR TESTS

A MAP sensor can also be bench tested by applying vacuum to the vacuum port with a hand vacuum pump. With 5 volts to the reference wire, the output voltage of an analog MAP sensor should drop, and on a Ford digital MAP sensor the frequency should increase.

An analog MAP sensor's voltage can also be read directly using a voltmeter or oscilloscope. A digital MAP sensor's frequency signal can be read with a DVOM if it has a frequency function, or an oscilloscope. The leads would be connected to the signal wire and ground.

Warning: Do NOT use an ordinary voltmeter to check a Ford BP/MAP sensor because doing so can damage the electronics inside the sensor. This type of sensor can only be diagnosed with a DVOM that displays frequency, or a scope or scan tool.

Another way to check out a Ford digital MAP sensor circuit is to input a "simulated" MAP sensor signal with a tester that can generate an adjustable frequency signal. Changing the frequency of the simulated signal should trick the computer into changing the fuel mixture (look for a change in the injector pulse width signal).

No change would indicate a possible computer problem.

MAP SENSOR REPLACEMENT

If a MAP sensor needs to be replaced, make sure the replacement is the correct one for the application. Differences in calibration between model years and engines will affect the operation of the engine management system.

If a vehicle is more than five years old, the vacuum hose that connects the MAP sensor to the engine should also be replaced.

 

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