P0104: Air flow sensor circuit intermittent

What P0104 means

The ECU has seen the air flow sensor signal come and go, or jump in ways that cannot be real. Intermittent faults are usually contact problems: something that moves with vibration, heat or damp.

Most common causes

• Loose sensor connector or spread pins
• Corrosion or moisture inside the connector
• A wire broken inside its insulation making contact on and off, often near the connector
• Loose earth on the engine or body
• The sensor itself with an intermittent internal fault

Symptoms

• Jerking or momentary loss of power
• Idle speed rising and falling
• Engine warning light coming and going
• Occasional stalling

Can you drive with P0104?

With care You can drive, but sudden power cuts could catch you out when overtaking or joining a main road. Have it checked soon.

How to check it

With the engine idling and air flow shown in live data, gently wiggle the sensor connector and wiring. If the reading jumps as you move them, you have found the poor contact.

How to read and clear P0104 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0104 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

• P0100 Mass or volume air flow sensor circuit fault
• P0101 Air flow sensor range or performance problem
• P0102 Air flow sensor circuit low input
• P0103 Air flow sensor circuit high input
• P0105 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor circuit fault
• P0106 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor range or performance
• P0107 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor circuit low
• P0108 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor circuit high
• P0109 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor circuit intermittent
• P0110 Intake air temperature sensor circuit fault
• P0111 Intake air temperature sensor range or performance
• P0112 Intake air temperature sensor circuit low

P0104 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Abarth, Cupra, Jeep, Mini, Nissan, Seat. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.