List of car sensors and their functions

Modern cars are equipped with a variety of sensors that help monitor the vehicle's systems and provide valuable information to the driver. These sensors play a critical role in ensuring the safety, performance, and efficiency of the vehicle. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common car sensors and their functions.

Oxygen Sensor (O2 Sensor)

• The oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases and sends a signal to the engine control module (ECM). The ECM then adjusts the air-fuel ratio to maintain optimal combustion efficiency. A faulty oxygen sensor can cause poor fuel economy, emissions problems, and engine performance issues.

Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF Sensor)

• The mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the fuel injection accordingly. A faulty MAF sensor can cause rough idling, hesitation, and poor acceleration.

Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)

• The throttle position sensor measures the position of the throttle plate and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the fuel injection and ignition timing accordingly. A faulty TPS can cause poor acceleration and engine stalling.

Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor (MAP Sensor)

• The manifold absolute pressure sensor measures the pressure inside the intake manifold and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the fuel injection and ignition timing accordingly. A faulty MAP sensor can cause poor acceleration, rough idling, and engine stalling.

Coolant Temperature Sensor (CTS)

• The coolant temperature sensor measures the temperature of the engine coolant and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the fuel injection and ignition timing accordingly. A faulty CTS can cause poor fuel economy, emissions problems, and engine performance issues.

Knock Sensor

• The knock sensor detects engine knocking or pinging and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the ignition timing to prevent engine damage. A faulty knock sensor can cause engine damage and poor performance.

Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP Sensor)

• The camshaft position sensor measures the position of the camshaft and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the fuel injection and ignition timing accordingly. A faulty CMP sensor can cause poor acceleration and engine stalling.

Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP Sensor)

• The crankshaft position sensor measures the position of the crankshaft and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the fuel injection and ignition timing accordingly. A faulty CKP sensor can cause poor acceleration and engine stalling.

ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

• The anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor measures the speed of each wheel and sends a signal to the ABS control module. The ABS control module then adjusts the braking force to prevent wheel lock-up. A faulty ABS wheel speed sensor can cause the ABS system to malfunction, leading to reduced braking effectiveness.

Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor (TFT Sensor)

• The transmission fluid temperature sensor measures the temperature of the transmission fluid and sends a signal to the transmission control module (TCM). The TCM then adjusts the shifting points and transmission performance accordingly. A faulty TFT sensor can cause the transmission to malfunction, leading to gear slipping, poor acceleration, and reduced fuel economy.

Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor (TPMS)

• The tire pressure monitoring sensor measures the pressure in each tire and sends a signal to the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster then displays the tire pressure warning light if the pressure in any tire is below the recommended level. A faulty TPMS sensor can cause incorrect tire pressure readings and lead to reduced tire life, poor fuel economy, and increased safety risks.

Fuel Level Sensor

• The fuel level sensor measures the amount of fuel in the fuel tank and sends a signal to the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster then displays the fuel gauge to show the driver the fuel level in the tank. A faulty fuel level sensor can cause inaccurate fuel readings, leading to reduced fuel economy and the risk of running out of gas.

Steering Angle Sensor (SAS)

• The steering angle sensor measures the angle of the steering wheel and sends a signal to the electronic stability control (ESC) system. The ESC system then adjusts the braking force to prevent skidding and loss of control. A faulty SAS can cause the ESC system to malfunction, leading to reduced stability and increased safety risks.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve Position Sensor

• The EGR valve position sensor measures the position of the EGR valve and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the EGR flow rate to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. A faulty EGR valve position sensor can cause poor engine performance, increased emissions, and reduced fuel economy.

Airbag Sensor

• The airbag sensor measures the vehicle's deceleration and sends a signal to the airbag control module. The airbag control module then deploys the airbags in case of a collision. A faulty airbag sensor can cause the airbags to fail to deploy or deploy unexpectedly, leading to increased safety risks.

Ambient Air Temperature Sensor

• The ambient air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the outside air and sends a signal to the climate control system. The climate control system then adjusts the air conditioning and heating system to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle. A faulty ambient air temperature sensor can cause inaccurate temperature readings and lead to reduced comfort and increased energy consumption.

Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor (APP Sensor)

• The accelerator pedal position sensor measures the position of the accelerator pedal and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then adjusts the throttle opening and fuel injection accordingly. A faulty APP sensor can cause poor acceleration, engine stalling, and reduced fuel economy.

Brake Light Switch

• The brake light switch detects when the brake pedal is depressed and sends a signal to the brake lights to turn them on. A faulty brake light switch can cause the brake lights to fail to turn on, leading to safety risks.

Oil Pressure Sensor

• The oil pressure sensor measures the engine oil pressure and sends a signal to the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster then displays the oil pressure warning light if the oil pressure is below the recommended level. A faulty oil pressure sensor can cause inaccurate oil pressure readings, leading to engine damage and reduced performance.

Blind Spot Monitoring Sensor (BSM Sensor)

• The blind spot monitoring sensor uses radar to detect other vehicles in the driver's blind spots and sends a signal to the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster then displays a warning light or audible alert to alert the driver of a potential collision. A faulty BSM sensor can cause the system to malfunction, leading to increased safety risks.

Conclusion

Car sensors play an important role in ensuring the safety, performance, and efficiency of a vehicle. Regular inspection and maintenance of these sensors can help prevent potential problems and ensure optimal vehicle performance.