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P0104

Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Intermittent

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Powertrain · Fuel and air · generic OBD-II code

What does P0104 mean?

The airflow signal is dropping out or jumping around intermittently.

Can I drive with P0104?

A steady check-engine light with the car otherwise behaving normally usually means you can drive carefully to get it diagnosed — but a flashing light, shaking, lost power, or a strong fuel smell changes that. When in doubt, treat it as more serious. See Can I Drive It? for a quick read on your exact symptoms.

Common symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Rough running or hesitation
  • Reduced power
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Sometimes stalling

Possible causes

Possible causes include — not “the part is definitely bad”:

  • A loose or corroded connector
  • A chafed or intermittent wire
  • A failing airflow sensor

What P0104 does not prove

It does not prove the airflow sensor itself has failed. The same reading can come from unmetered air past a loose intake boot or a vacuum leak, a dirty sensor, or a wiring fault.

What you can safely check

  • Whether the light is steady or flashing
  • That the air intake tube and clamps between the filter and engine are seated (a common cause of unmetered air)
  • That the air filter is not filthy or soaked

What a shop may check

An example diagnostic direction, not a guaranteed procedure:

  • Scan tool and freeze-frame data
  • Live airflow readings compared to what the engine should be pulling
  • A check for unmetered air (intake leaks, loose boots)
  • The sensor wiring and connector

What not to do

  • Don’t simply replace the airflow sensor on the strength of the code
  • Don’t keep clearing the code without finding why it returns

Generic OBD-II guidance — manufacturer-specific codes and causes vary by make, so always confirm against your vehicle. A code identifies a system or condition; it does not, on its own, prove which part has failed.

Not sure what P0104 means for your car?

Tell us the code and what the vehicle is doing. We read it, check the freeze-frame data, and work out what actually needs looking at — before anything gets quoted.

Book a diagnosis Call (253) 375-7057

Need a mechanic you can call back?

Tell us the noise, the light, or the mileage. We will tell you what it takes.