What are the symptoms of a faulty intake manifold pressure sensor?
3 Answers
Intake manifold pressure sensor failure symptoms include: 1. Open or short circuit in the sensor's internal wiring; 2. The sensor's output signal fails to vary with changes in intake manifold vacuum; 3. The sensor's output signal voltage is excessively high or low, deviating from the normal range. The intake pressure sensor is a device capable of detecting pressure signals and converting them into usable output electrical signals according to specific patterns. The working principle of the intake manifold pressure sensor is: it detects changes in absolute pressure within the intake manifold based on engine speed and load, then converts this into a signal voltage sent to the engine ECU. The ECU uses this signal voltage to determine the basic fuel injection quantity.
I once experienced a faulty intake manifold pressure sensor while driving, and the symptoms were truly annoying. The engine idled roughly, shaking like it was breakdancing, and stopping at a red light made the whole car feel like it was wobbling. Acceleration was noticeably sluggish, with the car lacking power when stepping on the gas, and climbing hills felt like dragging a heavy burden. Fuel consumption also skyrocketed, with a full tank lasting only half the usual distance. Even more frustrating was the constant illumination of the check engine light, buzzing like a little alarm in my ear. These issues were likely caused by sensor aging or excessive oil buildup, leading to inaccurate pressure readings in the intake manifold. As a result, the ECU misfired fuel injection, either too little or too much, affecting performance. I promptly replaced the sensor, and the car returned to smooth operation. Regular cleaning of the intake system can prevent such failures, saving frequent trips to the repair shop.
When I first started learning car repair, I often dealt with issues related to the intake manifold pressure sensor, and the symptoms were quite obvious. The engine would vibrate excessively, idle roughly, and make rattling noises after starting. There was no power during acceleration, making drives sluggish, and fuel consumption skyrocketed, wasting a lot of money on gas. The check engine light was the primary indicator, and scanning for trouble codes could pinpoint the issue. Sensor failures often occurred due to internal component corrosion or loose wiring, causing the ECU to lose pressure data and mess up the air-fuel ratio, sometimes even leading to black smoke. Cleaning or replacing the sensor usually fixed the problem quickly and easily. I recommend checking the intake system every six months and cleaning it if too much grime builds up to avoid triggering chain reactions.
