A car speed sensor also referred to as a transmission speed sensor tracks how fast a vehicle's crankshaft is spinning. The sensor shares this information with your car's computer. And, it can show your fast car's engine is spinning at any moment.

What Is A Speed Sensor, And What Does A Speed Sensor Do?

A speed sensor consists of a small device that is usually mounted on the transmission. It produces low voltage signals that move between one or more computers. This allows the sensor to determine how fast your vehicle is going.

How Does a Vehicle Speed Sensor Differ From A Speedometer?

Typically, a car's speedometer consists of a drive cable tucked away within a/the housing. The cable is attached to a gear located towards the back of the transmission. A speed sensor replaces the traditional speedometer. It is plugged into an electrical connector and can transmit a signal to a computer as it rotates. That way, the sensor provides information to calculate your car's speed. It also indicates if you need to adjust your shift levels or transmission speed. In addition, a speed sensor can track your travel distance. It can relay this distance to your vehicle's odometer to show your elapsed mileage. A speed sensor can send information regarding when to auto-lock doors in certain vehicles, too. New vehicles even feature speed sensors equipped with handling and stabilizing technologies, so they can help your antilock brake system function correctly.

How Can A Bad Speed Sensor Affect Your Ability To Drive Safely?

Your car's engine and transmission control systems use data from your speed sensor to ensure your vehicle runs efficiently. Also, your car's cruise control and other systems may leverage this data. So, if your speed sensor is faulty, various vehicle systems won't function as expected. This can hamper your ability to drive safely.

Bad Speed Sensor Symptoms

Your car's speed sensor can malfunction for a variety of reasons, including:

• Your transmission revs high before it changes gears, engages into overdrive later than expected, or does not go into top gear.
• Your brakes feel harder than normal when you are coasting.
• Your speedometer stops working.
• Your check engine light turns on intermittently when you accelerate.
• Your overdrive on/off light turns on and off.

If you experience any of the aforementioned bad speed sensor symptoms, bring your car to a professional auto mechanic. Then, the mechanic can run a computer diagnostic to test your speed sensor.

Is Now The Right Time To Replace Your Car's Speed Sensor?

Bad speed sensor problems can crop up without notice. Pinpointing problems with your speed sensor can be difficult. And, you should never try to adjust any wiring or electrical components in your vehicle, even if you believe the speed sensor is causing them to occur. When in doubt about your car's speed sensor, take your vehicle to a professional mechanic. Next, your mechanic can find out if the sensor is defective and replace it as needed. Or, if another issue is causing your car problems, the mechanic can identify and address it. Regardless, when you are proactive about car care, you can correct any vehicle issues before they compromise your safety behind the wheel.   This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Gambell, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing the Anchorage area and surrounding communities.