I have an 03 Pontiac Sunfire. While on vacation my
check engine light came on & before heading home, I got a mechanic to check it out. He said it
was a bad sensor - the one that tells the car what gear it's in. He said it would not strand me nor would I probably notice the car running any differently. Dumb question here - if put the car in
R I go backwards, if in D I go forward plus the car does change gears correctly. Why would the car need to "know what gear I am in". What type of sensor tells this?
THANKS!!!!
2007-06-01 15:35:09 · 5 answers · asked by curiosity123 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Sounds like typical American engineering; place something useless and easily broken, which is also annoying, yet not harmful, at eye level. Then have it blow as soon as the regular warranty is up. Costs you what? $75 to fix an annoying useless piece?
2007-06-01 15:40:46 · answer #1 · answered by Dull Jon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi. Good question.
The transmission range sensor or park nuetral switch used on all new automobiles performs a number of vital functions. The transmission shift linkage cable that physically connects the lever to the transmission moves a valve that directs fluid flow in the auto trans valve body which engages the reaction members and changes gears.
The reason you need a range sensor is because everything is computerized to save weight and increase gas mileage. The Car needs to know when its in park so it will cut intake air and lower the idle to reduce nonmoving emissions. When in reverse the backup lights come on and the computer inreases intake air flow to compensate for the drag or it would stall out. Same thing for neutral and drive, it uses the range input to calculate fuel maps and know when to purge evap, egr or run its own set of self diagnostics with the Global OnBoardDiagnostic OBDII system. Its simply one of the many comprehensive components monitored that can cause the check engine light to come on.
Check engine light: Alerts consumers by coming on if it detects a one or two drive cycle failure that could cause emissions to rise above 1.5 times the federal standard. It is also programmed to flash if it detects a misfire that can cause harm.
2007-06-01 16:48:47 · answer #2 · answered by ThisJustin 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The sensor is there to let you know what gear you are in. it is an Informational sensor and will not hurt the car to be non functional. To Dull Jon: the Sunfire is a Korean design so ***** about them and the worthlessness of the sensor.
2007-06-01 15:48:55 · answer #3 · answered by redd headd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is your park lock switch, it is placed on the bottom of your gear shifter, it tells the Engine Control Module when the car is in gear so that it can start adjusting air/fuel mixtures to improve engine performance and gas mileage. It would be best that you get this fixed when you have time
2007-06-01 15:48:55 · answer #4 · answered by Goosecock 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi there .chevy change the torqueconverter to an electic one by acomputer,u will need to flush the fluid in the trans,and it takes a special fluid. if u need more u can e mail me .i am self employed tech
2007-06-01 16:05:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋