Temperature sender how does it work

Even general wear and tear can cause the sensor to erode over time. You can always have your CTS replaced by an auto care professional. This aspect of preventative maintenance can certainly save you some headaches and hassle in the long run. Skip to Main Content.

Ask an Expert. The gauge typically sits in the car's dash for the lifetime of the vehicle and never sees maintenance or adjustment. It simply works. So how does that happen?

There are basically two types of temperature gauges, electric and mechanical. Today's cars use electrical gauges but not too many years ago many used mechanical gauges that operated with a Bourdon Tube. A Bourdon Tube is a thin metal — usually brass or copper — tube that is filled with an easily vaporized fluid, typically alcohol.

It is sealed at both ends. At the gauge end it is formed into a circle or spiral with its end attached to the indicating needle by some form of linkage. If the sensor is malfunctioning the gauge reading will be too cold, too hot or the warning light will be on constantly. The coolant sensor's location is designed to monitor the engines coolant temperature where the coolant is the hottest which is usually at the upper coolant hose outlet or in the cylinder head near the combustion chambers.

The coolant temperature sensor is comprised of a metal housing filled with a composite which varies the resistance through its internal circuit as the engine temperature increases or decreases. When there is a coolant leak or the engine has a blown head gasket the sensor can be fooled because of the air or exhaust trapped in the cooling system which the sensor cannot read.

This is why certain conditions can exist that will be puzzling to the car's driver for example; it is obvious the engine is overheating due to the steam being produced from under the hood but the temperature gauge will read cold with no temperature warning light on. This is because the sensing part of the sensor does not have coolant around it so there is nothing to read.

How do temperature sensors work? They are devices to measure temperature readings through electrical signals. The sensor is made up of two metals, which generate electrical voltage or resistance once it notices a change in temperature. The temperature sensor plays a critical role in maintaining a specific temperature within any equipment used to make anything from medicine to beer.

To produce these types of content, the accuracy and responsiveness of the temperature and temperature control are critical to ensuring the end product is perfect.

Temperature is the most common physical measurement type in industrial applications. Accurate measurements are vital in ensuring the success of these processes. There are many applications that are not-so-obvious, which use temperature sensors.