Brake, MAP and Oxygen Sensors: Their Importance and Common Failure Symptoms
In order to track the performance of your vehicle, manufacturers have installed numerous sensors that detect when the vehicle is starting, braking, accelerating and if it’s in reverse or neutral. Some of these sensors require regular replacement so that performance remains optimal and safety remains intact.
Brake, MAP and Oxygen Sensors
Brake Sensors
One of the most important sensors on your car is the brake sensor. This sensor detects when you are applying your brakes and tells other parts of the car what to do. When this sensor fails, it can lead to poor stopping power and even the inability of the car to stop in emergency situations. The brake sensor is usually placed in close proximity to the brake pedal sensor or on the back of your brake rotor.
When you are starting your car, it’s natural for you to apply pressure on the brake pedal before shifting into gear. If you notice that there is no response from the brakes, replace the sensor right away. The cost of replacing a brake sensor usually ranges between $100 and $250 depending on where you get it fixed. However, if you take your car to a mechanic they can do it for less than $100.
Replacing your brake sensor is an easy task that can be done in a few hours. First, you need to remove the old brake sensor by disconnecting the wires and unclipping it from its mounting bracket. Next, connect the new brake sensor and tighten its screws. Make sure that both connectors are properly connected before starting your car. You should also test the brakes by applying pressure on the pedal and shifting into gear. If there is still no response from the car, check the other sensors including speedometer and oil pressure.
There are also cases when your brake sensor stops working because it gets damaged by road debris or oil leaks from other parts of the car. When this happens, you will notice that your vehicle’s performance has significantly decreased and it may not stop in time for emergency situations. In these cases, you should have your car towed to a mechanic for repairs.
Some cars have multiple sensors on them but others only have one or two. If your car has multiple sensors on it, make sure that you are replacing the right one. If you are unsure about which sensor to replace and how to do it yourself, take your car to a mechanic or look for online guides for help.
Brake sensors are important because they keep your vehicle safe and improve performance. They can’t last forever so be vigilant in inspecting them regularly. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, have your brake sensor replaced as soon as possible.
Map Sensor
Then, there are MAP sensors, which stands for “Manifold Absolute Pressure”. These are used to measure the pressure of the air coming into your engine, and they are incredibly important in controlling everything from idle speed to fuel mixture. The MAP sensor is also responsible for telling your car’s computer what altitude you’re at, so it can adjust accordingly; this is especially important when driving on a road that has an elevation change or if you drive through mountains. If your MAP sensor starts to fail, it will usually do so in one of two ways.
The first way is that your engine will idle poorly; this usually means that the MAP sensor isn’t reading its correct values, and so it’s giving an incorrect amount of fuel to compensate. Alternatively, your car may start to idle normally but then have problems when it comes time to accelerate; if this happens, your vehicle’s performance will suffer because it can’t get enough power out of the engine. If you notice either of these symptoms in your car, have the MAP sensor checked immediately.
The second way that a MAP sensor can fail is by causing your car to stall out when driving at high speeds. This usually happens when the sensor isn’t reading its correct values, and so it’s giving an incorrect amount of fuel to compensate; this will cause your engine to run rich and stall out on you. If this happens to you, have your MAP sensor checked as soon as possible because it could mean that there is some serious damage going on inside your engine.
Oxygen Sensor
Lastly, there’s the oxygen sensor that is used to measure the amount of oxygen in your exhaust. This sensor is incredibly important because it tells your car’s computer what kind of fuel mixture to make, and so it can keep your engine running efficiently. The oxygen sensor is also responsible for controlling when your car’s catalytic converter starts working; this helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces pollution coming from your vehicle. If you have an older car that uses a carburettor (which most do), then this sensor is actually split into two parts: the O2 sensor and the air/fuel ratio sensor. If either one of these sensors starts to fail, it can cause your car’s performance to suffer in several different ways.
The first way that an oxygen sensor fails is by causing your vehicle’s engine to run too rich; this means that there isn’t enough fuel coming into the system for it to run efficiently. This will make your car consume more gas than normal, which you’ll notice immediately because fuel economy will go down significantly. If you notice this happening to your car, have the oxygen sensor checked immediately.
The second way that an oxygen sensor can fail is by causing it to run too lean; this means that there isn’t enough air coming into the system for it to run efficiently. This will make your car consume more gas than normal and cause significant damage to the engine over time because the catalytic converter won’t be able to do its job properly. If you notice either of these problems in your vehicle, have the oxygen sensor checked as soon as possible.
