Idle speed sensor - purpose and function

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The idle speed sensor is a device that belongs to the vehicle control system. This part is designed to adjust the idle speed of the machine. Outwardly, this device resembles a small electric motor, complemented by a conical needle. With the help of such a sensor, the engine is supplied with the necessary amount of air when idling. The passage of air masses into the engine occurs due to a change in the size of the section of the channel responsible for the air supply.

Usually idle sensors are located on the throttle assembly, namely on its body. There is also another regulating mechanism - the throttle position sensor. It should be borne in mind that the idle speed sensor is not always located in the same place. Priora, for example, may have an engine structure different from BMW, and then, accordingly, the sensor will be located a little differently. Yes, such changes may be very minor, but they could not be left unmentioned.

The whole volume of air,which passes through the regulator, is subsequently processed by the air flow sensor. After this procedure, the fuel mixture is supplied to the engine through the fuel injectors. The system to which the idle speed sensor is connected automatically monitors the engine speed. This control is needed to regulate air injection through the throttle bypass.

The controller maintains the required idle speed while the engine is warmed up to the desired temperature. If it is not warmed up to a certain temperature, the idle speed sensor increases the number of revolutions, thereby increasing the rate of heating of the motor using the crankshaft. With this mode of engine operation, it is already possible to start moving without waiting for the engine to warm up completely.

Unfortunately, the idle speed sensor is often not equipped with self-diagnosis, so no car system will tell you about a problem. The following signs can serve as an "alarm call" signaling a breakdown of this part:

- engine stalls at idle;

- idle speed does not work at the same pace;

- when turning on a cold engine, there are no high revs;

- the engine "stalls" when the gear is removed from the box.

Many car owners, after finding out how much the idle speed sensor costs, decide to purchase a new part, instead of trying to fix the faulty one. And this decisionquite justified, because this spare part is sold in any automotive store, and the price is not too burdensome. In addition, the efforts made to repair will obviously cost more than buying a new spare part. On average, the sensor will cost you 300-400 rubles. But when buying, you should carefully study the part, as there are often cases of fraud when an old spare part is passed off as a completely new sensor. Yes, maybe it will serve you for some time, but its life will be much shorter than that of a completely new part.