Idle speed sensor - purpose and function

The idling sensor is a device that relates to a vehicle control system. This part is designed to adjust the idling speed of the machine. Externally, this device resembles a small electric motor, supplemented by a cone needle. With this sensor, the engine is supplied with the required amount of air when idling. The passage of air masses into the engine occurs due to a change in the size of the cross section of the channel responsible for the supply of air.

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

The entire volume of air that passes through the regulator is subsequently processed by an air flow sensor. After this procedure, a fuel mixture is fed to the engine through the fuel injectors. The system with which the idle speed sensor is connected automatically monitors the engine speed in automatic mode . This control is necessary to regulate the introduction of air through the throttle bypass.

The controller maintains the required idling speed while the engine is warmed to the desired temperature. If it does not warm to a certain temperature, the idle sensor increases the number of revolutions, thereby increasing the speed of heating the motor with a crankshaft. With this engine operating mode, you can already start driving without waiting for the engine to warm up completely.

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

- engine "stalls" in idling mode;

- idle speed does not work at the same pace;

- when the cold engine is switched on, there are no high revolutions;

- the engine "stalls" when the transmission is removed on the box.

Many car owners, after they learn how much an idle sensor costs, decide to purchase a new part, instead of trying to repair the faulty one. And this solution is justified, because this spare part is sold in any car store, and the price is not too burdensome. In addition, the efforts made for repair will be more expensive 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 often there are cases of fraud, when the old spare parts are issued for a completely new sensor. Yes, maybe it will serve you for a while, but its service life will be much less than for an absolutely new part.