The Importance of an Output Speed Sensor
The Importance of an Output Speed Sensor
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The OSS sensor is one of the main sensors that communicates transmission gear ratio information to your car’s powertrain control module. This sensor monitors the speed of your transmission output shaft.
It transmits a signal to the transmission control unit
Many different sensors in a vehicle’s transmission are responsible for sending important information to the control module. One of these is the output speed sensor. It is also called a transmission output shaft speed sensor or VSS, and it provides the PCM with vital information about how fast the transmission is moving. This information is used to control devices like shift solenoids and the speedometer.
There are two speed sensors in the transmission, the input speed sensor and the output speed sensor. Both are hall effect sensors that use magnetic properties to detect rotational speed and generate a digital signal proportional to the output speed. They each have a reluctor wheel or exciter ring that is activated by the rotational speed of the shaft. The output sensor’s coil is excited by the rotation of the planetary carrier lugs, while the input speed sensor’s coil is excited by the rotational speed of the input shaft.
Both of these sensors must work properly to ensure that the transmission shifts smoothly and accurately. If they fail, the transmission will shift gears too quickly or too slowly. These problems can cause damage to the transmission components, including the hydraulic lines and valve bodies.
The output speed sensor is a small part, but it is one of the most crucial for the transmission system. It transmits a critical signal to the transmission control unit and must be replaced when it fails. To do so, loosen and remove the negative battery cable and locate the faulty sensor. Unscrew the sensor and disconnect the electrical connector from it carefully. Then, re-connect the wires to the new sensor and tighten it. Make sure that the sensor is not touching any of the metal parts in the transfercase and that the connector is not exposed to any water or dirt.
It tells the anti-lock brake system when a wheel is locked
One of the most important functions of a speed sensor is to alert the anti-lock braking system when a wheel is locked. The system works so fast that it can detect a loss of traction within a fraction of a second. This enables the system to apply a higher level of hydraulic pressure to the affected wheel to prevent it from locking up.
The speed sensor reads the teeth photosensitive sensor on a ring or small magnets built into the wheel bearing seal to provide a digital signal that changes frequency with the rotational speed of the wheel. This signal is read by the PCM and used by multiple systems incorporated into the vehicle’s CAN network, including stability control systems, transmission control and learning, fuel injection management, and more.
A faulty sensor will typically send a wrong reading to the anti-lock braking system, which can lead to the malfunction indicator light (MIL) coming on. This can also cause problems with other systems relying on the speed sensor, such as the power steering system and vehicle’s speedometer.
A bad or failing speed sensor can be a dangerous problem, so it’s important to check the signal with a diagnostic scan tool, an oscilloscope, output speed sensor or a voltmeter. A damaged sensor will show up as a flat spot or gaps in the sine wave pattern when viewed with an electronic scope. A mismatched sensor ring, rotor, or axle can also cause the sensor to read too quickly or too slow compared to other sensors, which will trigger an ABS code and upset the normal operation of the corresponding anti-lock braking, traction control, or stability control systems.
It tells the power steering system the vehicle’s speed
Various sensors monitor your car’s rotational speed, including the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) and ABS wheel speed sensors. The method by which they do so varies, but most of them work in the same way. They read a toothed reluctor ring on the shaft or wheel that they are monitoring, and then they send a signal to the powertrain control module.
These speed sensors also play a critical role in the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system, which uses them to determine whether one or more of your wheels are locked up or turning slower than the others. They also help the anti-lock braking system know when to pump the brakes quickly, keeping your wheels from locking up and helping you avoid dangerous skids.
The power steering system also relies on the vehicle’s speed sensor to operate properly. It uses the information from this sensor to determine how much force is required to turn the steering wheel, so that it is not too difficult or too hard to steer at different speeds.
The vehicle speed sensor is an important part of many car systems, such as the automatic transmission and cruise control. If it fails, your car may experience problems. In addition, your vehicle’s speedometer will not display the correct speed. Therefore, it is important to replace this part as soon as you notice any signs of trouble.
It triggers a check engine light
The output speed sensor, also called a vehicle speed sensor (VSS), plays an important role in your car’s transmission. It tells other systems how fast the transmission is spinning and helps to keep the proper gear ratio during driving. Moreover, the VSS can also play a significant role in the cruise control function. Therefore, if the VSS is not functioning properly, it could cause problems with your vehicle’s speedometer and cruise control.
One of the most common signs that your vehicle’s speed sensor has gone bad is an erratic reading on the speedometer. Another symptom of a defective sensor is an intermittent turn on and off of the overdrive light while accelerating. You should replace the speed sensor if you notice any of these symptoms.
Your vehicle’s PCM relies on the input and output speed sensors to register data and send it back to the transmission control module. If the output or input speed sensor is malfunctioning, the PCM will set a diagnostic trouble code. This code will trigger the check engine light on your car’s dashboard.
To check if your speed sensor is causing a problem, connect your OBD II reader to your car’s ODB port. Run a scan tool and look for a P0720 code. The code indicates that the speed sensor has failed and should be replaced.
