This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo engine, typically taking 18 minutes to complete.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Mass Air Flow Sensor × 1 — Honda OEM 37980-5AA-A01 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and turn off the engine
2. Allow engine to cool for at least 15 minutes
3. Open hood and secure with prop rod
4. Disconnect negative battery terminal to prevent fault codes during sensor disconnection (optional but recommended)

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate the MAF sensor
   The MAF sensor is mounted on the air intake tube approximately 6-8 inches after the air filter box, on the driver's side of the engine bay. It has a black plastic housing with an electrical connector on top.
2. 2

   Disconnect the electrical connector
   Press down on the release tab on the MAF sensor electrical connector and pull the connector straight up and away from the sensor. Do not pull on the wires themselves.
3. 3

   Remove the MAF sensor mounting screws
   Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the two small screws securing the MAF sensor to the air intake tube. These screws are on opposite sides of the sensor housing. Keep the screws in a safe location as they are small and easily lost.
   Torque spec

   MAF Sensor Screws3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Extract the MAF sensor
   Carefully pull the MAF sensor straight out of the intake tube. The sensor element will be exposed, so handle with extreme care. Do not allow dirt, oil, or debris to contact the sensing element inside the sensor housing.
5. 5

   Inspect the intake tube and O-ring
   Check the O-ring seal on the old MAF sensor for damage or deterioration. Inspect the inside of the air intake tube for debris, oil contamination, or damage. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth if necessary. If oil is present in the intake, investigate potential turbocharger seal failure.
6. 6

   Install the new MAF sensor
   Ensure the new MAF sensor has the O-ring properly seated in its groove. Align the sensor with the mounting holes in the intake tube and carefully insert it until it seats flush against the tube. The sensor can only be installed in one orientation.
7. 7

   Install and torque the mounting screws
   Insert both Phillips screws and hand-tighten them. Using a torque screwdriver, tighten each screw to exactly 3.0 Nm (2.0 lb-ft) in a cross pattern. Do not overtighten as the plastic housing can crack easily.
   Torque spec

   MAF Sensor Screws3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reconnect the electrical connector
   Push the electrical connector firmly onto the MAF sensor until you hear and feel a distinct click, indicating the locking tab has engaged. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is securely locked in place.
9. 9

   Reconnect the battery
   If the negative battery terminal was disconnected, reconnect it now. The vehicle may need to relearn idle and fuel trim parameters over the next 10-20 minutes of driving.

Reassembly

1. No disassembly was required beyond the sensor itself
2. Ensure all electrical connections are secure and no tools are left in the engine bay

Verification

• Start the engine and verify the Check Engine Light does not illuminate for MAF-related codes (P0101-P0104)
• Allow the engine to idle for 2-3 minutes and confirm smooth idle operation without surging or stalling
• Use an OBD-II scanner to verify MAF sensor readings are within normal range (typically 2-7 g/s at idle, increasing with RPM)
• Test drive the vehicle and confirm proper acceleration response and no hesitation under load
• Verify no air leaks are present around the MAF sensor by listening for hissing sounds at idle

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