The idle speed sensor is a device that relates to the vehicle control system. This part is designed to adjust the idle speed of the machine. Externally, this device resembles a small electric motor, supplemented 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.
Typically, the idle sensors are located on the throttle assembly, namely on its body. There is also another regulating mechanism - a throttle position sensor . It should be borne in mind that the idle sensor is not always located in the same place. Prior, for example, may have a different engine structure than BMW, and then, accordingly, the sensor will be located a little differently. Yes, such changes may be quite insignificant, but it was impossible not to mention them.
The entire volume of air that passes through the regulator is subsequently treated with an air flow sensor. After this procedure, the fuel mixture is fed into the engine through the fuel nozzles. The system with which the idle speed sensor is connected automatically monitors the engine speed. Such control is necessary to regulate the introduction of air through the bypass throttle.
The controller maintains the required idle speed while the engine is warming 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 heating rate of the motor using the crankshaft. With this engine operating mode, it is already possible to start moving without waiting for the engine to fully warm up.
Unfortunately, the idle sensor is often not equipped with a self-diagnosis, so no vehicle system will notify you of a problem. The following signs may serve as a “wake-up call”, signaling a breakdown of this part:
- the engine "stalls" in idle mode;
- idle speed is not working at the same pace;
- when turning on the cold engine there are no high revs;
- the engine "stalls" when removing the gear on the box.
Many car owners, after they find out how much the idle sensor costs, decide to purchase a new part, instead of trying to fix the faulty one. And this decision is quite justified, because this spare part is sold in any car shop, and the price is not too burdensome. In addition, efforts to fix it will be clearly 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 there are often cases of fraud when an old spare part is given out as a completely new sensor. Yes, maybe it will serve you for some time, but its service life will be much shorter than that of a completely new part.