The check engine light is on, and the vehicle won't accelerate. Which component is likely the cause?

The mass air flow (MAF) sensor plays an essential role in measuring the amount of air entering the engine, which is critical for the engine management system to deliver the correct amount of fuel. When the MAF sensor is faulty, it can send incorrect readings to the engine control unit (ECU), leading to a rich or lean fuel mixture. This can significantly affect the engine's performance, causing symptoms such as poor acceleration or stalling, which aligns well with the situation described where the vehicle won't accelerate and the check engine light is illuminated.

While other options could potentially contribute to a variety of issues, a faulty mass air flow sensor is particularly notorious for directly impacting engine acceleration since it fundamentally affects the air-fuel mixture vital for optimal combustion and engine performance. Open fuse #17 might affect electrical components in the vehicle but does not specifically link to acceleration issues as directly as the MAF sensor. Low fuel pressure might also result in poor performance, but without the context of the MAF sensor's role in fuel delivery and acceleration, it doesn't explain the issue as comprehensively. A clogged air filter could restrict airflow, but modern engines often compensate for reduced air intake to some extent, and it is less likely to immediately trigger a check engine light compared to