how does an airflow meter work?

Answer 1

An airflow meter is a device that measures the amount of incoming air to the engine for the purpose of metering the amount of fuel needed under a variety of engine running conditions to maintain a set ratio. Usually about 14.7 to 1. Thats 14.7 parts AIR, and 1 part FUEL. This is achieved by the vehicles PCM (powertrain control module) supplying a reference voltage to the meter (more commonly referred to as a Mass Airflow sensor) of usually 5 volts. The greater the volume of air entering the engine, the more the supply voltage required to maintain the 5 volts, thus the PCM interpreting this inforamtion as increased airflow and adusts the amount of fuel delivered accordingly in order to maintain the 14.7 to 1 Air-Fuel ratio.

Answer 2

There's two types out there. Some use a hot wire and measure how much the airflow cools off the wire. Others have a flap held closed by a spring, and the airflow pushes the flap open. The more airflow, the further the flap opens.

Answer 3

by measuring the incoming air into the engine and the density (on later systems) and sends that signal to the pcm which interpets that data along with numerous other sensors like RPM,Engine temp,Throttle postion etc and adjusts the Air Fuel Ratio to the proper ratio needed to run the engine under all operating conditions.

Answer 4

you guys are way too technical it's easy it is just a piece of wire that acts as a heat element and it gets hot then when air flows over it it cools off this drop in temp causes a change in current flow trough the wire wich can be measured then calculated ou to determine how much air is flowing in and thats pretty much it.

Answer 5

it measures the amount of air that is going through your air intake befor it gets burned.

Answer 6

You didn't ask what type.. but this website should be the best to explain:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_flow_sensor