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Have you ever wondered what an engine speed sensor does in your vehicle? If you drive any modern automobile, you will find that there are several speed sensors built into them to measure the speed of the vehicle.
Most automobiles are built with a vehicle speed sensor (VSS) as well as several wheel speed sensors (WSS). These two sensors are different because one measures the wheel, and the other measures the entire vehicle’s speed.
There are also other kinds of sensors like the camshaft and crankshaft position sensor that we can theoretically call speed sensors even though they're not labeled as such.
A sensor is any device that produces a signal after sensing a physical change. Speed sensors are devices that count the number of rotations or distances covered in a certain amount of time. The data obtained from a speed sensor is received by an onboard computer or processor (also called the control module). The information is subsequently used by the modules to decide the operational or performance level of different output devices.
Another example of a speed sensor is a Vehicle Speed Sensor or VSS. As you might expect, the control module analyzes the signal sent by the VSS and uses this data to determine how quickly the car is moving. The data is then used by the module to regulate components such as the speedometer and transmission shift solenoid.
The vehicle sensor is usually found on the output shaft of the transmission. As a result, the VSS is also known as an output shaft speed sensor. To measure transmission performance, some cars utilize both an output and input shaft speed sensor. Wheel speed measurement is commonly implemented in automotive dynamics applications such as traction control, stability control, and anti-lock brakes.
A speed sensor in your vehicle, like any other sensor, can be inductive (a magnet and wire coil encircling it) and generate an AC digital or analog wave. Some speed sensors can tell if the vehicle is traveling backward or forward. Some sensors read the steel teeth as the wheel rotates (which is quite common) or, in certain situations, a set of small, properly placed magnets implanted in the bearing reads the magnetic pulse.
Another type of automobile speed sensor is the Wheel Speed Sensor or WSS. The ABS module uses these sensors to measure the speed of each wheel. The module analyzes the data to calculate when to pump hydraulic pressure towards the brakes during emergency braking conditions, preventing a wheel lock.
As previously stated, some transmissions make use of two types of speed sensors to shift gears correctly and regulate the engine's torque converter. The two sensors must play their roles effectively to obtain optimal transmission performance. The following is a distinction between the OSS and ISS:
The computer evaluates the data obtained from the two sensors to initiate transmission adjustments and detect internal transmission issues.
Although the multiple speed sensors present in your car perform different functions, they all operate in the same way. Every speed sensor reads the exciter ring or the reluctor wheel attached to the rotating equipment being monitored. However, the procedure for reading differs.
The ultimate objective of a vehicle's speed sensor is to measure the speed of the vehicle to ensure the safety of the driver. At Huron Automotive, we are concerned about the safety of our customers, which is why we offer industry-leading automotive service to car owners in Green Bay, WI, and its neighboring areas.
We have factory-grade tools and equipment to diagnose and fix any issue you might be having with your car. Book an appointment or call on our experts now to check the performance of your speed sensors!
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