Overview Of The Sensors That Manage Your Car’s Engine
Your car is able to operate properly due in large part to the powertrain control module (PCM). It might only look like a small, simplistic box with a couple of wires connected to it, but the PCM is actually a computer processor. In fact, it has more processing power than the Space Shuttle did decades ago (of course, so do pocket calculators). One of the jobs this component handles is to manage your car’s engine performance. It does so with a number of different sensors. In this article, I’ll provide a bird’s-eye view of them and briefly explain the tasks each performs.
Measuring The Oxygen
The 4-stroke combustion process that your engine goes through is dependent on the air-fuel mixture. The right ratio ensures that your vehicle is fuel efficient, controls emissions, and performs well on the road. The wrong ratio can lead to a loss of power and other problems. Your car uses an oxygen sensor to ensure the right ratio in the air-fuel mixture is maintained.
Determining The Coolant Level
Your engine performs best when it operates between a certain temperature range for all driving conditions. If it’s cold (for example, in the morning), more fuel is added to the mixture. Once the temperature rises, more oxygen is added. A coolant sensor is responsible for making these adjustments and keeps a close watch over the temperature while you’re driving.
Where’s The Throttle?
The load on your engine depends largely on the position of the throttle and how large its opening is. The larger the opening, the greater the load. A throttle position sensor (TPS) monitors these factors in order to adjust the timing of the sparks as well as the air-fuel mixture. If this component fails or a problem occurs, you’ll notice a sluggishness or a stumble when pressing on the gas pedal. This is typically due to the fuel becoming too lean at the moment your vehicle needs a richer blend in order to accelerate.
Evaluating Airflow
The performance of your car’s engine also depends on the air that it draws in. An airflow sensor monitors the amount. If this part fails, you’ll notice hesitation while accelerating. In some cases, your vehicle might stall or idle roughly. It’s worth noting that not all vehicles have this component; those which don’t approximate the amount of air that goes in. In those cases, the estimation is based on data about the throttle position and information from the manifold absolute pressure monitor.
Your car’s engine is a complex assembly (albeit not as complex as your transmission). There are many components tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that it runs properly. In addition to those described above, there are also sensors that monitor the crankshaft position, the level of knock, and the status of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. All of these work fluidly together in order to make sure your vehicle performs as well as it should.
