Sensor

How it is used

A car has many sensors: the oxygen (lambda) sensor, crankshaft position sensor, wheel speed sensors and parking sensors. Technicians test, clean and replace sensors and check their readings with a scan tool.

Example sentences

1. The code points to a faulty oxygen sensor on bank one.

2. Check the wheel speed sensor wiring before you replace the ABS module.

Common collocations

• oxygen sensor
• wheel speed sensor
• faulty sensor
• sensor reading
• parking sensors

Related terms

• ECUShort for electronic control unit (or engine control unit): a small computer that reads sensors and controls actuators, for example injection timing in an engine. Modern cars have dozens of them.
• actuatorA component that turns an electrical command from a control unit into movement, for example a motor that opens the throttle, moves a valve or locks a door.
• scan toolA handheld device or laptop software that connects to the vehicle's diagnostic port to read and clear fault codes, view live data and run tests on control units.
• ADASShort for advanced driver assistance systems: features that use cameras, radar and other sensors to help the driver, such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and blind spot warning.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• sensor · Robotics & Automation
• sensor · Electrical & Electronics Engineering
• sensor · Photography

More terms: Vehicle Electronics and ADAS

• CAN bus
• wiring harness
• infotainment system
• adaptive cruise control