
Chevrolet Cruze can start the car without a battery sensor installed. The battery sensor is mainly used for the automatic start-stop function, and the car can still start without it. The function of the battery sensor: Generally, vehicles with start-stop functions are equipped with a battery sensor. The role of the battery sensor is to determine the charging current of the charger by detecting the temperature of the battery. If the battery temperature is high, the current will increase at the same voltage, causing overcharging and premature damage to the battery. If the battery temperature is too low, the discharge current will decrease, potentially affecting the startup. By measuring the temperature, the ignition system can adjust the system resistance to increase the battery's starting current, ensuring the car starts. Composition of the sensor: The sensor generally consists of four parts: a sensing element, a conversion element, a signal conditioning circuit, and an auxiliary power supply. The sensing element directly receives measurements and outputs physical signals related to the measured quantity. Sensing elements mainly include ten categories: thermal, optical, humidity, gas, force, sound, magnetic, color, taste, and radiation-sensitive elements.

I frequently tinker with car modifications and am quite familiar with models like the Cruze. Without a battery sensor, the car can generally still start because the core relies on the battery power, the starter, and the engine linkage. The sensor is just an auxiliary device that monitors the battery status; the starter can still function without it. However, from my own experience, the lack of a sensor might cause charging issues—the battery tends to degrade faster, the warning light keeps flashing, and fuel consumption is higher than usual. Short trips are fine, but long drives can easily lead to a dead battery and a stalled car. I recommend reinstalling it promptly or seeking professional maintenance to check the circuit before the battery fails and requires an expensive replacement. The Cruze's electrical design is quite sophisticated, and the sensor is linked to the charging system. Prolonged absence can affect overall performance.

As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've encountered all sorts of situations; the engine can definitely start without a battery sensor, as starting relies on the hardware circuit connection rather than the sensor. Take my old Cruze for example—the sensor broke two years ago and I didn't bother fixing it, yet the car starts just fine. However, there's an issue: the charging system becomes unstable after starting, sometimes triggering warning lights on the dashboard. During long drives, you might notice insufficient power, with weakened air conditioning or headlights. If the sensor is completely removed, it could trigger other fault codes, making repairs even more troublesome. It might barely suffice for daily commutes, but driving on highways or long trips poses significant risks. Don’t underestimate this small component—it plays a crucial role in monitoring battery health, and its absence could accelerate the car's aging. I recommend investing some effort to get it fixed, ensuring safety and peace of mind.

The Cruze can generally start without a battery sensor installed, as the engine operation doesn't rely on the sensor, but the system may not function properly. The sensor is mainly used to optimize the charging process; without it, the battery may be overcharged or discharge quickly. You can drive without issues after starting, but prolonged use may lead to shortened battery life or fault warnings, affecting daily reliability. If the sensor itself is faulty, don't wait for it to worsen; address it promptly.


