Up To Speed: Keeping Your Vehicle in Tip-Top Condition

Could Your Vehicle Performance Issues Be Traced to Faulty Sensors?

11 August 2022

Mary Gomez

Some people think that a modern-day car is more akin to a computer on wheels than a mode of transportation. It is easy to understand why, as there are numerous sensors on board that monitor systems and adjust performance accordingly. Given that there are so many of these components, problems can arise from time to time within the vehicle's electrical system. Sometimes, these sensor issues can cause the ECU (or the master computer) to play up, and if you're suffering some of these problems now, what can you do to diagnose and fix them?

How Sensors and Modules Interact

The engine control unit (or module) supervises how the engine performs in a variety of different scenarios, and the ECU derives information from many individual sensors. These can include the manifold air pressure (MAP) and throttle positioning sensors that establish how much load should be placed on the engine at a given moment. Other essential sensors, such as the exhaust gas oxygen tool, tell the ECU if the air-to-fuel ratio within the engine is optimal. Also, certain sensors look out for tell-tale signs of a problem through tiny microphones. The "knocking" sensor listens for a tell-tale sound underneath the rocker cover, which can be a sign of dirty fuel injectors or inadequate fuel load.

Dashboard Warning Lights

The first sign of a problem may be the ubiquitous "check engine" light. If you see this on your dashboard, you need to take the vehicle to a mechanic so they can plug in a diagnostics tool and get to the bottom of the issue. After all, the problem could relate to one of the numerous sensors, components or circuits. However, it is also possible that the ECU itself is faulty, and the diagnostic code will reveal all.

Misfiring Another Engine Issues

In addition to that light, you may also start to notice performance issues. For example, the engine may begin to misfire or suddenly stall for no apparent reason. This may be due to inadequate control when the ECU receives and acts on false information due to a bad sensor elsewhere.

Increased Fuel and Emissions

You may certainly notice a drop-off in your fuel performance. An excessive amount of fuel is often sent to the combustion chamber, and the unwanted liquid is burned off through the exhaust. This is certainly an issue to avoid, as your emissions will also increase.

Fixing Your Issues

As you can see, multiple issues can be traced back to faulty sensors and a malfunctioning ECU.

For more information, contact a local auto electrics professional.

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About Me

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by racing cars. When I was little, of course, I only had go-karts, but eventually I graduated to a junior dragster and now I have my own racing car. It is a very expensive hobby, even for an accountant, therefore I make sure that maintenance and servicing are a top priority. Fortunately, my brother-in-law is a mechanic, so he services the car in between events and leads my crew on race days. I have learnt numerous simple tricks to improving car performance and keeping it in top mechanical shape. These same tricks apply to any car. This blog will hopefully encourage drivers to take car servicing seriously in order to keep their vehicles running safely and economically. I hope the tips within these entries prove to be useful and help your vehicle to operate smoothly.