Originally Posted By: artbuc
I respectfully disagree. The hot wire MAF sensor does directly measure mass flow rate of air. The intake air thermistor is there only to provide a reference temperature for the hot wire. It is not there to allow the ECU to convert volume to mass. The amount of current in the hot wire required to maintain its temperature is directly related to both air velocity (volume) and air density (temperature and pressure). It is also related to the difference between the temperature of the hot wire and the temperature of the air. That is why you need the intake air temperature reference. It is simple heat transfer mathematics.
It seems you & kschachn are stating the same thing?
I respectfully disagree. The hot wire MAF sensor does directly measure mass flow rate of air. The intake air thermistor is there only to provide a reference temperature for the hot wire. It is not there to allow the ECU to convert volume to mass. The amount of current in the hot wire required to maintain its temperature is directly related to both air velocity (volume) and air density (temperature and pressure). It is also related to the difference between the temperature of the hot wire and the temperature of the air. That is why you need the intake air temperature reference. It is simple heat transfer mathematics.
It seems you & kschachn are stating the same thing?
