Automotive Sensor Testing and Operations

By Mandy Concepcion

This work has been a labor of love. It is meant to compliment and broaden the working knowledge of the modern automotive technician. No theoretical information is given, except under certain explanatory circumstances and sections. This book is totally based on actual working conditions and real life diagnostics. With that intent, special thanks are given to Mr. Gino Ferrulli for his incredible patience and understanding. This book, including waveform captures and photographs would have been impossible to acquire and assemble without his help. My gratitude to him and his family for putting up with me throughout the almost three years that took to make the book. Special thanks are also given to Ms. Maria Ferrulli and Ms. Caroline Torres for their invaluable help in amending and correcting the information contained here. I couldn't have done it without their help. And last, but not least, thanks to my family for their support and encouragement. I really needed it at times. The family is the basis for all societies. But most of all, this book was done for you, "The Lone Automotive Mechanic or Technician". The guy (or girl in some cases) who works all day long and studies at night to further his/her career in spite of the stress of the day, the guy who's not appreciated for what he does because to the rest of the world he's the dirty mechanic that doesn't know better, the guy who spends thousands of dollars in tools and equipment but that nobody has any idea that he did, and the guy who in spite of all the drawbacks of our profession is happy at what he does and keeps America rolling. This work was done for you. I hope you enjoy and learn from it. Remember, no matter what happens keep building your knowledge and it'll pay-off in the end.

Edition 4.0, Copyright 2004, 2021, All rights reserved

Table of Content

COMPONENT STRATEGIES (Sections 1) Section 1-1 (sensors) 1) O2 Sensor- O2 Sensor, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures2) APP (accelerator Pedal Position Sensor)- APP, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures3) CAM & CRK sensor- CAM & CRK, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures4) ECT (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor)- ECT, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures5) IAT (Intake Air Temperature Sensor)- IAT, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures6) Knock Sensor (Detonation) - Knock Sensor, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures7) MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor) - MAF, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures8) MAP (Manifold Air Pressure Sensor) - MAP, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures9) TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) - TPS, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures10) VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) - VSS, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures11) A/C Pressure Sensor - A/C Press. Sensor, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures12) FRP (Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor) - FRP sensor, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures13) PFS (Evap Purge Flow Sensor) - PFS, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures14) AFR (Air Fuel or Wide Range Air Fuel Sensors) - AFR sensor, Theory of Operation, Conditions that Affect Operation, Component Testing Procedures NOTES