The eight major sensors in a car are introduced as follows: Coolant Temperature Sensor: The most easily observable sensor, it directly detects the operating temperature of the coolant. The coolant temperature sensor senses through a temperature measurement node installed in the radiator, and this reading can be easily seen on the dashboard. Oxygen Sensor: This is another frequently heard sensor name, and its function, as the name suggests, is related to "oxygen content." There are generally two oxygen sensors, one located behind the exhaust manifold and the other behind the catalytic converter. The former is called the front oxygen sensor, and the latter is called the rear oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor determines whether the fuel is burning normally by detecting the oxygen content in the exhaust, and its readings provide crucial data for the ECU to control the engine's air-fuel ratio. Knock Sensor: Engine vibration is a problem many people have encountered, and one of the causes of this phenomenon is knocking. The data read by the knock sensor provides the ECU with important information to identify whether the engine is experiencing knocking. When knocking is detected, the ECU adjusts its ignition timing to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of knocking. Intake Pressure Sensor: Next are some sensors that people rarely hear about or even think exist. The first is the intake pressure sensor. This sensor measures the absolute pressure in the intake manifold based on the engine's load condition and converts it into an electrical signal, which is sent to the computer along with the speed signal as the basis for determining the basic fuel injection amount of the injector. Air Flow Sensor: The air flow sensor converts the inhaled air into an electrical signal and sends it to the ECU, serving as the basic signal for determining fuel injection. Throttle Position Sensor: This is the key sensor that controls the fuel injection amount when accelerating by pressing the accelerator. In fact, pressing the accelerator controls the throttle, not the fuel injector. Crankshaft Position Sensor: The crankshaft is located at the bottom of the engine in the oil pan, and its rotation is key to driving the pistons' up-and-down strokes. Its rotational speed directly reflects the engine's speed. The crankshaft position sensor is one of the important sensors in the ECU's ignition control system. It detects top dead center signals, crankshaft angle signals, and speed signals, allowing the ECU to issue correct ignition commands according to the cylinder's firing order. Oil Pressure Sensor: The purpose of this sensor is to detect the amount of engine oil inside the engine and then alert the driver via a warning light on the dashboard to replenish the oil in a timely manner.
