The fuel injection systems used on cars and trucks are not all the same, but they share some standard functions. Fuel injection systems meter the fuel going into the engine and use a computer controller to add air and create the perfect mix for your engine. Failure of something as small as a single sensor can create a problem that can cause engine issues and drivability problems.
Fuel Injection Sensors
There are many different sensors on your car that affect how the fuel injection system mixes the fuel and air in the engine's cylinder. Some of the most common sensors that affect the way the engine runs are ones you may have heard of before.
For example, the oxygen sensors located in the exhaust system read the exhaust gases coming out of the engine and send information back to the ECU (engine control unit). This indicates the rich or lean conditions in the fuel system and the oxygen level in the exhaust gases leaving the engine. On the other hand, the MAS (mass airflow sensor) reads and reports the amount of fuel coming into the engine. The ECU needs this information to adjust the fuel map to match the available air. If the fuel map is not changed, the engine may get too much air, and the car could stall a lot when you are driving it.
In addition, the MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor measures the manifold's pressure and reports it to the ECU. The amount of pressure will drop as airflow increases, and the engine control unit uses the air pressure reading to determine how much power the engine is making.
Fuel Injectors
The fuel injectors used in modern cars are typically inserted into the intake manifold on the engine and have both an electrical and fuel connection. Inside the injector, an electromagnet is controlled by the ECU. It opens and closes to allow fuel to flow through the injector and then spray into the cylinder through a small nozzle on the injector.
The nozzle atomizes the fuel so that it is misted into the engine in precise amounts. Simultaneously, the MAS sensor allows air to flow into the cylinder in quantities that will work correctly with the fuel. If the nozzle on the fuel injector is clogged or the magnet stops working, the injector will need replacing to keep the engine running correctly.
If any part of the electron fuel injection system stops working, the entire system can shut down, and the car will need to be diagnosed by a repair shop with a computer designed to read the trouble codes that the system will produce. For more information about fuel injection systems, contact an auto service.