The advent of the autonomous car has highlighted the fundamental importance of having good sensors. That being said, we have long been committed to providing effective – and reliable – sensors to our customers. So whether you are looking for engine and transmission sensors, or for comfort and safety – not to mention emissions and e-mobility – you should definitely take a look at our range.
Temperature sensors play a crucial role in controlling vehicle pollution and fuel consumption. This information needs to be transmitted to the ECU so it can regulate the injection system parameters.
There are several types of temperature sensors:
These sensors are equipped with a thermistor at one end, which allows them to be in direct contact with the coolant, the air, or the outside temperature to send the information directly to the ECU.
NTC TYPE THERMISTOR
NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistors work as follows: as the exhaust gas temperature increases, the resistance value will gradually decrease.
PTC TYPE THERMISTOR
PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) thermistors work in the opposite way; thus when the exhaust gas temperature increases, the resistance value will increase in the same way.
Note: this thermistor is the most common on the market, but in both cases a temperature is assigned to the ECU resistor.
SYMPTOMS
The following symptoms are frequently associated with a temperature sensor failure:
DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE
First and foremost, you need to visually inspect the temperature sensor to determine the presence of a fault. It is therefore strongly recommended to check that the following items are in working order:
You can also use a multimeter to check the correct operation of the sensor.
If the previous tests are not conclusive, you will probably need to replace your temperature sensor.
CAUSES OF FAILURE
It is possible that a temperature sensor is no longer working due to:
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure a quick and efficient installation, you must refer to the following instructions:
INSTALLATION TIPS
As the temperature sensor is essential to the correct operation of the engine, it is important to follow a certain number of recommendations when replacing it:
PREVENTIVE INFORMATION
The above items are provided for information purposes only. They do not replace the advice of a qualified technician or mechanic. We strongly recommend that you consult a professional if you are unsure of what to do. Otherwise, we cannot accept responsibility for any damage to your vehicle.
When a temperature sensor fails, the engine light (an amber light) comes on, or the glow plug light flashes. Your vehicle’s fuel consumption will increase, and so will its pollutant emissions. Your vehicle’s engine is likely to lose power and have difficulty starting up. The malfunctioning of the temperature sensor also causes the car to overheat.
First of all, we strongly advise you to visually check the temperature sensor; i.e., the metal body of the sensor (visible dents, cracks or any kind of blow that could have damaged it), the connector (visible loose connections, melted or cracked wires) and its wiring (ensure it is not damaged or broken).
Secondly, you can test your sensor’s correct functioning by checking its resistance. By plugging the measuring tool into the sensor connector and heating the side where the probe is located, you can check whether the resistance fluctuates. However, you will need to make sure that you have set the multimeter to 20M Ω, and that you know which technology your sensor uses (NTC or PTC type – see “Technologies” section). Depending on the sensor type, either the resistance will increase when the temperature increases (PTC), or conversely it will decrease when the temperature increases (NTC).
If the above tests are not conclusive, then it would appear that you need to replace your vehicle’s temperature sensor.
Although automotive sensors meet very strict standards, they do not last forever. Several elements may also fail, thus requiring replacement; among which a broken sensor cable (which may be due to torsion and/or internal vibration), or a torn wire connecting the sensor to the ECU. The sensor may also have been damaged by a liquid, such as a coolant. Of course, time-related wear and tear is also a potential cause of failure, but that goes for any type of product. We recommend that you replace it every 25,000 kilometers.
We recommend the following steps to replace your exhaust temperature sensor as efficiently as possible and to limit possible mistakes:
As a sensor specialist, we recommend the following to extend your exhaust gas temperature sensor’s durability:
