What are the symptoms of a faulty vehicle temperature sensor?
3 Answers
Common symptoms of a faulty vehicle temperature sensor include difficulty starting the car, unstable idle operation, and weak acceleration. The symptoms of different temperature sensor failures are as follows: Faulty intake air temperature sensor: If the intake air temperature sensor malfunctions or is damaged, the engine will not be able to accurately calculate the fuel injection amount, resulting in a mixture that is either too rich or too lean. The car may experience difficulty starting, unstable idle, shaking, or black smoke emissions, affecting the engine's performance. Faulty coolant temperature sensor: If the coolant temperature sensor malfunctions or is damaged, the engine will not be able to regulate the water temperature in time, causing the engine to overheat. This can lead to boiling coolant and cylinder scoring. Symptoms include difficulty starting the engine, unstable idle operation, shaking, weak acceleration, a constantly illuminated engine warning light, and a non-functioning cooling fan.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I've encountered several instances of faulty temperature sensors. The symptoms are quite obvious: the temperature reading on the dashboard may freeze or display absurd values, like minus several tens of degrees. The engine light often stays on, and starting the car becomes difficult, especially in cold or hot weather. Sometimes the air conditioning will malfunction, blowing hot air in summer and cold air in winter, completely disregarding the settings. Fuel consumption may also suddenly increase because the engine management system misjudges the operating conditions. I remember one summer when the AC wasn't cooling; after inspection, it turned out to be a sensor failure that caused the protection system to malfunction, nearly leading to overheating. Such issues should be repaired promptly to avoid engine damage. During repairs, it's important to check for corrosion or loose connections in the wiring.
Hey, I found that when the temperature sensor fails, it exhibits some interesting characteristics: the readings jump erratically, fluctuating between high and low, or get stuck at incorrect values. In the air conditioning system, this can cause the cabin temperature to fluctuate between hot and cold, significantly reducing comfort. If the sensor in the engine fails, it can trigger the check engine light, cause unstable engine operation, and lead to a sharp increase in fuel consumption. Some cars also have interior sensors, and if these fail, they can cause the automatic climate control to malfunction. It's best to use an OBD scanner to check for trouble codes like P0115 to accurately diagnose the issue. Don't delay addressing the problem, as it could lead to a chain reaction of electronic system issues, such as incorrect antifreeze control, which can be dangerous in winter.
