The modern car has many different types of sensors connecting to the on board computer. Remember not all cars have the same types of sensors. But below we will handle the most common types of sensors.
There are sensors meant for engine management. While others usually improve safety and enhance the driving experience.
The ones meant for engine management are usually ensure that everything within the vehicle works properly. Secondly they monitor normal operation and warn the driver when something is out of place.
TYPES OF ENGINE SENSORS.
1. Engine oil level sensors.
As the name suggests, this sensor is attached to the oil system within the engine. There are a couple of reasons why oil could be leaking from your car. Spotting this error is the oil level sensor’s responsibility.
It monitors oil levels within the oil pan to ensure that there is sufficient amounts of oil.
If the levels are low, you will see a dashboard warning light. Oil is essential for keeping the engine from overheating.
The position of this sensor varies from one model to the other. But most of them are attached to the oil pan.
2. Engine oil pressure sensor.
This sensor mostly attaches after the engine’s oil pump. Usually it’s very similar to the oil level sensor.
If you examine the engine block well, you will see this sensor next to the fuel filter.
A faulty engine oil pressure sensor will cause oil leakage in your car. If this is the case, the oil pressure light will be seen on your dashboard as a warning.
3. Coolant temperature sensors.
It’s essential to have sufficient coolant within the engine. While insufficient coolant may lead to overheating then it’s important to note that a faulty coolant temperature sensor could also cause it.
This sensor monitors the engine coolant temperature. This temperature prevents engine damage that comes from overheating. Other engine cooling system components also come in handy when it comes to regulating engine temperatures.
Additionally, this sensor can help you determine whether the engine cooling system components are working well.
Newer models get a more sophisticated coolant temperature sensor. Whereby, it’s equipped with the capacity to shut down the engine once temperatures are too high.
4. Mass Air-Flow sensor.
For the engine to receive sufficient power from burnt fuel, the air flow must be optimal.
The engine measures the air flow so that it can optimize how much fuel should get burnt.
The intake hose is responsible for bringing in the air. So, this sensor is mostly located between the air filter and the intake manifold. To be specific, it’s located on the intake hose.
5. Intake air temperature sensor.
It helps to get optimum engine performance without undertaking engine modifications. Well, even with modifications, the engine’s air temperature could limit performance.
This is the reason why the car needs an intake air temperature sensor. To determine if the air flowing in has the right Temperature. There are other modifications for engine performance that could make the engine’s demand for air to increase.
Some models have integrated this intake temperature sensor with the mass air-flow sensor. Contrary to that, others have this sensor separately.
6. Manifold absolute pressure sensor.
It’s used for determining pressure within the manifold. It works in cooperation with the mass air flow sensor.
Further, this helps to determine how much air is getting to the engine. If these sensors are faulty, it will lower the amount of fuel being injected into the engine.
This will definitely affect the amount of power your engine gets hence affecting performance.
7. Throttle Position sensor.
The throttle body connects to the vehicle accelerator through cable or electronic setup. The former is what newer models have while the later can be found in older models.
This sensor is located on the throttle body. This sensor determines the angle of the throttle when it’s open. The throttle flaps open depending on the energy output for the engine.
The strategic positioning of the sensor comes in handy because it stops excess fuel from being released by the engine. This can damage the engine because the fuel won’t be burning it.
8. Crankshaft or camshaft position sensor.
This pair works together in a synchronized manner to offer optimum engine performance. That is camshaft and crankshaft. Simple transmission system parts maintenance can be undertaken to keep these parts performing at the optimum level.
This sensor works by detecting where the position of camshaft is in comparison to the crankshaft. Because the engine operation is optimized when these two are at a synchronized state.
Most new fashioned Vehicles have one sensor for crankshaft and another one for camshaft. But the other models use one sensor on the crankshaft.
9. Knock sensors.
This is one of the preventive sensors. Actually, it’s a very important sensor that ensures the engine’s functionality is kept up to par.
This sensor prevents engines from knocking. The detonation or knocking means extensive damage on internal parts of the engine.
Trust me, you don’t want this happening to your vehicle engine. Because it results to high repair costs.
Such damage may result from misfires or broken engine components.
10. Oxygen Sensors.
Your car relies on sufficient oxygen in order to facilitate combustion. Okay, let’s start with this.
Combustion takes place within the catalytic converter whereby oxygen and fuel mix to burn. This process results to Energy which facilitates the car’s movement from point A to B.
You usually find the oxygen sensors at the catalytic converter to measure oxygen going in for combustion.
While another one is at the exhaust pipe. To measure the amounts of oxygen after fuel has burnt.
The check engine light is caused by the results that are obtained from this measurement. That is, if either sides is off.
11. Coolant level sensor.
Do you know what happens when you start the engine? Some wait a few seconds before taking off. This gives the coolant time to circulate the engine first before you drive.
Coolant has to be sufficient so that the engine operates at a regulated temperature. Otherwise, the engine will overheat.
The coolant level sensor is installed to ensure that you have it in sufficient amounts. Otherwise the check engine light will light up immediately you start the engine. Also, it could light up after you drive for a couple of meters.
12. FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR.
It is commonly found on the fuel pressure rail or fuel pressure line. The Engine Control Module (ECM) gets information from this sensor concerning the amount of fuel pressure being pumped.
The fuel is pumped into the catalytic converter for burning. This amount of fuel varies depending on the Engine’s demand for power.
Measuring the pressure is essential because it results to a richer or leaner fuel mixture. This also affects fuel economy.
This sensor is usually found on the coolant reservoir.