Not-So-Common Sense (Sensor Failures)
October 15, 2023
So your vehicle won't start. What's the first thing that comes to mind? Battery dead? Starter motor worn out? Out of gas? Well, those are all reasons that make sense. But your vehicle may be refusing to start because one of its computers is being warned that to do so might damage it. Here's how that works.
You have lots of computers in your vehicle. They need to know the status of things so there are several sensors monitoring various things going on. These sensors send information to the computers that adjust the fuel and air mixture so you don't waste fuel. They know when things aren't quite right and prevent you from starting your engine if that's going to damage it.
Other sensors make sure the coolant is the right temperature, check to see you are not polluting the air and make sure other electronic components are performing their tasks correctly.
Here's an example of a sensor doing its job. Your engine needs oil to lubricate metal components so the friction doesn't damage them. Your engine has an oil pressure sensor that tells a computer called the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) if things are good to go or if there's something wrong, maybe the oil pressure is too low to keep things lubricated. If it is, it gives a signal for the vehicle not to start, protecting the engine.
Of course, the sensors can go bad, too, with some of the same results. And so someone has to figure out if it's the sensor that's failed or if it really has detected a problem. That is the challenge for technicians with specialized equipment to decipher the signs. If a bad sensor is found, it may need to be replaced. Sometimes a thorough cleaning can do the trick. In either case, your service facility can track down the problem and get you back on the road. Makes sense, doesn't it?
Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak
3110 Rochester Rd
Royal Oak, Michigan 48073
248-585-0980
http://www.toptechautorepairroyaloak.com
Need Service?
More articles from Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak
Making Sense of the O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor Replacement)
December 15, 2024
As you know, todays vehicles rely on a lot of computers in them to keep them running clean and efficiently. Those computers depend on information delivered by several sensors throughout the engine and exhaust system. And one of the most important is the oxygen sensor. Known as the O2 sensor f... More
A Door No One Can Step Through (Fuel Door Repair and Maintenance)
December 8, 2024
Your vehicle has lots of doors including that one usually near the back on the vehicle's side. That's the fuel door, something you use every time you gas up. These endure hundreds of open-and-close cycles, usually without any problems. But when they act up, it can be a major inconvenience for ... More
Avoiding Exhaustion (EGR Valve Replacement)
December 1, 2024
No, ERG isnt the sound a pirate makes. Its a part in your vehicle that recirculates exhaust gas to reduce certain gases and pollutants in the atmosphere. In fact, ERG stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. One gas our vehicles may make when they burn fuel is nitric oxide, which can play a big ro... More