Car Engine Sensors Explained

In 1981 with pressure sensors for engine control continued in the early 1990s with accelerometers to detect crash events for air bag safety systems and in recent years has further developed with angular rate inertial sensors for vehicle stability1 chassis systems 3.

Car engine sensors explained.

A crankshaft camshaft position sensor tells the computer where the pistons are in their stroke which determines fuel injection and spark timing. The crank sensor can be used in combination with a camshaft position sensor to monitor the relationship between the pistons and valves in the engine which is particularly important in engines with variable valve timing. The crankshaft sensor sends signals to the engine management system about the position of the crankshaft. When the temperature of the coolant reaches between 75 and 95 degrees depending on the manufacturer specifications the ecm instructs the radiator fan to turn on and start cooling down the liquid.

A modern car s engine management system consists of a wide range of electronic and electrical components which comprises engine sensors relays and actuators that work together. It analyzes the pressure of vacuum created when the fuel mixture passes through the intake manifold. The intake air temperature sensor iat measures the temperature of the air entering the engine. A car fuel temperature sensor monitors how hot or cold the fuel going to the engine is.

A map sensor is one of the electronic controls listed in a group known as pressure sensors. What are engine sensors. They provide the car s engine control unit with vital data parameters essential to govern various engine functions effectively. The crankshaft sensor plays an important role in getting the right signal when it is time to ignite the injectors and ignition coil.

The sensor output can also be used to determine the current combustion cycle which is very important when the engine is started. Cold fuel is denser and doesn t combust as efficiently. Oxygen sensor oxygen sensors are also used in gasmasks photo source. These sensors are advanced enough to accept a range of values process them correctly and determine the right mixture or level for each aspect.

There are many ways for car engine to stop suddenly and this sensor will prevent that for drivers. Mass airflow maf systems use a heated sensor in the engine s intake duct to calculate the amount of air going in a throttle position sensor to determine how far the gas pedal is depressed and one or more oxygen sensors to decide whether or not the engine is getting the right amount of fuel for the air ingested. A faulty crankshaft sensor can cause your engine to come to a complete stop giving you rough starting conditions. The same sensor can be found in multiple locations on the engine including the crank pulley flywheel and camshaft.

Engine speed sensor is attached to the crankshaft and monitors the spinning speed of the crankshaft which controls the fuel injection and timing of the engine. The engine coolant temperature sensor simply tells the car s computer ecm the current temperature of the vehicle. Warm fuel burns faster which means a more efficient engine. What are the car sensors.