What is a Speed Sensor – Speed Sensor Failure Symptoms and Repair
On the instrument panel of your car, there are two hands that show an engine speed and a tool speed. These hands inform the driver of the data they receive from the sensors.
Two different sensors are used to determine how many revolutions per minute the car’s engine is spinning and how many km the car is driving.
Engine speed sensor: When you gas the engine in your vehicle, the engine pistons start working and rotate the crankshaft. If the crankshaft spins at what revolutions per minute, it is shown in your vehicle’s rev clock. It is shown as engine speed (RPM).
Vehicle Speed Sensor: Cars with the old system (mostly without ABS) have a transmission speed sensor. This sensor detects the speed of rotation of the transmission shaft and notifies the speedometer to notify the driver. Newer cars have a wheel speed sensor (ABS speed sensor). The sensor that detects the rotational speed of the wheels reports the speed of the vehicle to the engine control unit (ECU). As a result, the driver is again informed about the speed of the vehicle.
Speed Sensor Failure Symptoms
A transmission speed sensor or wheel speed sensor is included to determine how fast a car is going. If any of these sensors is in your vehicle, it prevents some equipment from working if it breaks down. Let’s take a look at the symptoms of speed sensor failure
1-) Incorrect display of the speedometer
When you are cruising in your car, sometimes the needle does not move at all. Or if it falls and exits, or worst of all, if the speed shows up or incomplete, the speed sensor is responsible. This is the biggest symptom of speed sensor failure.
2-) ABS and ESP Not Working
ABS and ESP need a wheel speed sensor to work. If your vehicle’s ABS or ESP is not working, a sensor failure may be responsible.
3-) Cruise Control Does Not Work
Cruise control, as the name suggests, serves to keep your car at a constant speed. However, when the speed sensor is faulty, your vehicle will naturally not be able to stabilize its speed. If cruise control doesn’t kick in, the speed sensor may be responsible.
4-) Irregularity in Gear Changes (Automatic Transmission)
In vehicles with automatic transmissions, data is obtained from the engine speed and wheel speed sensor for when to change gears. If even one of these two sensors fails, there may be irregularities in your vehicle’s gear changes. For example, gear shift intervals may be longer or your vehicle may not be able to shift above a single gear.
Speed Sensor Prices, Repair and Labor Fee
Speed sensor prices vary according to the make and model of the vehicle. For example, the speed sensor of a low-class car is $25, while that of premium luxury cars is up to $25. When the speed sensor fails, it is a part that cannot be repaired. For this reason, it needs to be changed. Your master will replace the speed sensor for a labor fee of between $55 and $80.