EVERY ENGINE SENSOR EXPLAINED - MAF, MAP, IAT, TPS, 02, NOx, EGT - How it works, location, OBD2 code

00:00 Intro
00:57 Crankshaft position sensor
02:54 Camshaft position sensor
03:58 Throttle position sensor TPS
05:44 Mass air flow sensor MAF
07:39 Vane air flow meter AFM
08:44 Manifold absolute pressure sensor MAP
10:27 Oil pressure sensor
11:55 Fuel pressure sensor
12:34 Intake air temperature sensor IAT
14:09 Coolant temperature sensor
15:22 Fuel temperature sensor
16:16 Oil temperature sensor
17:24 Oxygen 02 sensor
20:18 Exhaust gas temperature sensor EGT
22:05 Nitrogen oxide sensor NOx
23:01 Knock sensor
24:07 Quick recap of key sensors
25:53 Outro

In this video we're explaining every single car engine sensor. For each sensor we'll be explaining what it does, how does it do it, where is the sensor location and what happens if the sensor goes bad. There's also OBD2 error codes for all the sensors. Stuff like P0335, P0118, P0131, P0340, P0300, P0102, P0113.

So the next time you have a problem with one of your sensors you will know what's happening, why is it happening, where is the sensor and what will happen if you don't fix it.

To make the video as simple and as logical I have grouped the sensor into 5 categories.

1. Position sensors (crankshaft position sensor, camshaft position sensor, throttle position sensor)
2. Air flow sensors (mass air flow sensor MAF, vane air flow meter)
3. Pressure sensors (MAP or manifold absolute pressure sensor, oil pressure sensor, fuel pressure sensor)
4. Temperature sensors (IAT or intake air temperature sensor, coolant temperature sensor, fuel temperature sensor, oil temperature sensor)
5. Air fuel ratios, emissions and others (oxygen 02 sensor both wide band and narrow band, egt or exhaust gas temperature sensor, nitrogen oxide or nox sensor for SCR selective catalyst reduction and the knock sensor)

We'll see how each sensor communicated with the ECU and how each sensor is a piece of the puzzle. When they all work together correctly the ECU gets to see the big picture and accurately and efficiently manage the operation of the engine. For example the crankshaft position sensor tells the ECU where the piston is so the ECU knows WHEN to inject the fuel. Air flow sensors like the Mass air flow sensor or the map sensor tell the ECU how much air is coming into the engine so the ECU knows HOW MUCH fuel to inject. The throttle position sensor and the intake air temperature sensor tell the ECU the load placed on the engine and the intake air temp which further improves the accuracy of the injection.

The final stream of information necessary for injection accuracy comes from the fuel pressure sensor which lets the ECU calculate exactly how long it needs to keep the injectors open in order to deliver the precise quantity of fuel needed.

In case something does go wrong we have the life saver sensors like the knock or oil pressure sensors. The knock sensor listens for knock or abnormal combustion and if it detects it it warns the ECU and the ECU in a matter of milliseconds retards ignition timing and/or adds fuel to prevent knock from occurring again. The oil pressure and oil temperature sensors make sure that the engine oil, the lifeblood of the engine, is within functional parameters. As soon as it even briefly drifts out of expected values the ECU can protect the engine and warn the driver.

All in all modern cars are a moving world of information where a large number of sensors rapidly provides endless amounts of data that gets interpreted at lightning speeds by the ECU where it triggers a sea of different actions that keep you moving smoothly and safely along the road all while preserving efficiency and minimizing emissions.

A special thank you to my patrons:
Daniel
Peter Della Flora
Daniel Morgan
William
Richard Caldwell
Pepe
Brian Durning
Brian Alvarez

#d4a #enginebootcamp

[joek]

In the late nineties, when they said, "Oh the web means all information will be free, " this is the kind of thing I wanted it to be. "Here's all the *these* explained". Excellent work, sir.

[Mr.Thermistor]

As a mechanic for 6 years now, this video is still extremely valuable. Thank you bro

[allenashkar]

Well done! This demonstrates how complicated engines are. I was driving once on the highway and suddenly the speed dropped from 110 KM/h to 50 KM/h. The vehicle wouldn't accept speeds of over 60 KM/h. From idle, when I try to accelerate, the engine would shutdown. So I took it to an automotive shop and they used the latest diagnosis tools and they couldn't find the problem. They said the transmission (automatic) needs to be replaced, and they said that they see a misfiring on one of the cylinders. They charged me $200 for their diagnosis without finding out the actual problem. They failed to check the very basic components, which I then did myself, and I am not a mechanic, and found the engine air filter ripped. I went and replaced the air filter with a FRAM filter that cost me $11 at Walmart and everything was fixed. Obviously, the ripped air filter allowed large air mass to flow in and the ECU couldn't accommodate the high signal reading of the MAF sensor, hence it was shutting down the engine. This is one useful example of this great video of what sensors do and how important they are to running the engine. PS. that vehicle I had was a Nissan Pathfinder 2000 SE 4X4 model.

[crossmeister]

With a channel like this, I feel like I'm in the largest classroom that's open 24/7 with one of the best teachers helping understand and maintain my vehicle and saving me money in the long run. You have my forever gratitude, sir.

[MrPropanePete]

I was a motor mechanic in the 1960's, early 70's then moved into the aviation industry so I missed the whole shift from simple mechanical linkage operation to electronic sensors, ECU's and actuators. I'm retired now and have just started working on my own cars again, upgraded my tool kit, bought an OBDII scanner, and am re-training myself to understand the tangle of pipes, tubes, sensors and wires that are under the bonnet of modern cars. This video was really helpful and clarified a few things I was unsure about.

[rich]

This is pure gold, thanks for taking the trouble to make and upload this. Just one thing I would like to add, regarding fault-finding: very frequently the sensor isn't actually at fault. Instead, it's a connector somewhere between the sensor and the engine management computer. Replacing the sensor will often clear the fault because a new sensor comes with a new connector. Still, I always suggest, before spending time and money replacing a sensor believed at fault, separate connectors, spray with contact cleaner, re-assemble, re-test. I have been repairing electronics systems for 4 decades and have more experience of failed (or intermittent, even worse) connectors than I would wish on anyone!

[bazilio]

This guy just gave us a summary of two years worth of university lessons in 30 minutes. Awesome dude, i have a KIA sorento that i'm struggling with. This gives me an idea of what i could work on.

[Bonks]

If this video existed 10 years ago my life could very well have taken a different path. Wonderfully explained from a place of confidence, good diction and clarity. The 3D imaging is great too! Also pretty big on showing the variety and what would be considered modern vs classic.

[brianmessemer]

This is so ridiculously informative...I'm blown away. This is the best technically oriented automotive channel on YouTube by several orders of magnitude.

[maxcactus]

This video is a perfect example of why your channel is the most valuable and informative automotive channel on the internet. Simply outstanding!

[skystygian]

I grew up not caring about cars or having anyone to teach me about them, but as I recently have become a car owner (of an older model at that) and ran into some issues with my O2 sensor, I've become super curious about how cars work. Stuff like this is invaluable because I want to understand what my mechanic is talking about when he tells me what's wrong and what needs to be fixed, and maybe one day I'll be able to do some repairs myself. Thanks so much!

[valjordan-cwdx]

Wow. This dude has a gift for not only explaining this in more very great detail but also explain it so a kid can learn it. That’s very rare when people explain this type of stuff

[hguzman]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen. Is an amazing mix of, among other things, excellent technical knowledge, advances in animation technology, didactic skills, professionalism, and a desire to share knowledge. Thank you very much for creating it.

[GalvanizedGreatness]

This sums up about half of my recent schooling except you couldn’t explain the tiny details of how the sensors are constructed completely which would make this video 3 hours long but overall I can say this might even be viewed in some technical schools

[victoryvisiontour]

This is prime time TV level recording. Great job on the explanations, pictures, and animations. I think I learned more from this one video than all other YouTube vids combined. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[victorgarcia]

My friend you are a teacher. The way you explain things is very much something for you to be proud of. I appreciate your knowledge and time. 👍🏻

[RicardoRodriguez-mhmy]

This is an underrated channel, this NEEDS more views

[jaxxonbalboa]

Dude, without a doubt this video is one of the most profoundly useful videos I have come across on YT! Much appreciation.

[em]

I'm leading a small team of people that are supposed to audit repairs done in the workshops of a big OEM. Most of my team never worked in the automotive. This video (and many others from you) are a huge help to enable my team to understnad multiple principles of the tech used in today's vehicles. But I also have to admit that, after many years in this industry, these videos are also a big help for me to understand better or remember some of the stuff I should know. Many, many thanks for doing all this work :)

[ahobimo]

It's been said by many others before me, but the fact that educational content as fantastic as this is being shared freely is nothing short of a miracle.

D4A is the Patron Saint of petrol heads, blessing us all with the gift of knowledge and understanding!!! 😁😁😁