Will the dashboard display a warning light if the car sensor is faulty?
2 Answers
Automotive dashboards mainly consist of the speedometer, tachometer, information display screen, and indicator lights. The dashboard, also known as the onboard computer, serves to diagnose major vehicle systems and provide real-time feedback on the working conditions of various vehicle systems, presenting this information to the driver through various gauges and indicator lights. The following are manifestations of sensor failures: 1. Oxygen sensor: Located on the exhaust pipe, if the oxygen sensor fails, the ECU cannot determine whether the injected fuel quantity is correct, resulting in either too rich or too lean mixture concentration, incomplete combustion, reduced engine power, and increased emission pollution. 2. Wheel speed sensor: Generally installed on the hub of each wheel. Once faulty, the ABS will fail. 3. Air flow meter: Usually installed between the air filter and the throttle body, if faulty, the engine speed will not rise. 4. Coolant temperature sensor: Typically located near the thermostat, if faulty, the engine will experience difficulties during cold starts, unstable idle operation, and insufficient power during acceleration.
When a warning light appears on the dashboard, I've encountered a similar issue before. That time, my car's engine light suddenly came on, and I could feel something was off while driving. The most common cause is usually a faulty sensor, such as the oxygen sensor or wheel speed sensor. These little components monitor the engine's operating condition or the braking system. Once they fail, the system detects an abnormality and alerts you via the dashboard warning light. If not addressed promptly, it may lead to increased fuel consumption, excessive emissions, or even ABS failure, affecting braking safety. That time, I took my car to the repair shop, where the mechanic used an OBD scanner to check the trouble codes and confirmed it was an oxygen sensor malfunction. After replacement, the problem was resolved. I usually advise everyone not to ignore any warning lights and to get them checked in time to avoid greater losses. Nowadays, I occasionally use a mobile app to connect to the car's OBD port for a quick status check—it saves money and hassle. During maintenance, I also pay attention to cleaning carbon buildup around the sensors to prevent blockages that could trigger faults.
