How Are Car Sensors Protected From Heat and Debris?

The sensors installed on your vehicle are designed to continuously collect and relay data from various systems to the on board computer. As your engine runs, heat builds up under the hood. In fact, it's estimated that temperatures inside the engine bay can eclipse 200 degrees in some occasions. Although they have improved in construction, design, and are much more sturdy, sensors can fail on occasion. Since car sensors relay important information, if they don’t work correctly, or are damaged due to exposure they may send faulty information or none at all. The result is that the car may not start, doesn’t run as well, or even leave you stranded.

Keeping the sensors clean can extend their use and prevent damage. There are many ways that engineers ensure that sensors are protected. Noted below are a few of the common ways automotive manufacturers ensure the sensors are kept from harm and high heat.

Protected by Design

Some sensors, such as the coolant sensor, are placed in an area where they are less likely to come in contact with dust or other debris. This sensor is located on the cylinder head, or sometimes the intake manifold.

Other sensors are located in a precarious area, and prone to exposure by exhaust, dust, and debris. These sensors need a special design to protect them from these elements. For instance, the oxygen sensor is built in such a way that it keeps working even when it comes into contact with contaminants. It features a shell with a laser-welded body to keep out all types of contaminants.

With no moving parts, the mass airflow sensor has fewer things that can go wrong with it. The main concern is how dust and contaminants can touch the heating element and prevent it from working.

Protected by Cleaning

Many of the sensors can be maintained by cleaning. When the engine is washed, the dirt and dust are removed. Using safe cleaning fluids allows you to get the sensors clean, so they keep working the way they are supposed to. The throttle position sensor can be cleaned with a solvent and toothbrush. It is important to be careful and mindful of how these sensors are cleaned and maintained. In some cases, using high pressure washers under the hood can cause electrical harnesses to become damaged or detached.

Another sensor that should be cleaned frequently are the wheel speed sensors. Over time and use, wheel speed sensors collect road grime, brake dust, and other debris, which can impact their ability to effectively monitor and relay data to the ABS module, cruise control, and even the transmission. Most professional mechanics agree that the simple act of spraying water behind the wheel rim is the best way to remove debris from wheel speed sensors.

In most cases, you can complete routine service to keep your sensors clean. However, any time you notice a warning light on the dashboard, it is typically due to a sensor malfunction and should not be ignored. Contact a professional technician from YourMechanic to complete a check engine light inspection to determine if sensors are damaged and need to be replaced before major symptoms occur.


The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Battery Temperature Sensor
Common signs include engine surging, low battery voltage, and an illuminated Battery Light.
P2119 OBD-II Trouble Code: Throttle Actuator Control Throttle Body Range/Performance
P2119 code definition Throttle Actuator Control Throttle Body Range/Performance What the P2119 code means This code indicates that the throttle valve is...
How to Replace a Coolant Temperature Sensor
The coolant temperature sensor switch is not working if the engine emits black smoke. The switch may have failed if the car gets poor fuel economy.

Related questions

codes p0101 and p0303 simultaneously
The code P0101 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/-p0101-obd-ii-trouble-code-mass-airflow-maf-circuit-operating-range-or-performance-problem-by-john-nelson) is for a problem with the MAF sensor and code P0303 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0303-obd-ii-trouble-code-cylinder-3-misfire-detected-by-spencer-clayton_2) is for a cylinder number 3 misfire. The first thing to check is to make sure there is no vacuum leaks or leaks between...
Car runs with the mass airflow sensor unplugged. If you plug it in it will die if the car is running.
This is a sure sign of a shorted mass airflow sensor. The reason it starts with it off is the computer sees no mass air signal and replaces it with an internal memory fake signal to use. This will let...
When vehilcle gets to 60mph or more it sputters / (small backfires) in the exhaust along with increased valve clatter, heating up.
It sounds like the engine is getting starved for fuel above 60 mph. I would first try and test for any codes in computer and then if no codes then check fuel pressure to see if it is normal. If...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com