4 Signs Telling That You Might Have a Bad Speed Sensor

A speed sensor is an essential component of your car’s speedometer system. It helps to determine the speed of your vehicle and can also be used by your car’s computer to help control other systems, such as traction control and stability control. If your speed sensor is not working correctly, it can cause several problems.

Here are four signs that you might have an alarming speed sensor and you might need a speedometer calibration.

1. Your Speedometer Stops Working or Is Inaccurate

The speed sensor tells your speedometer how fast you’re going, so if it’s not working correctly, your speedometer will either stop working or give you the wrong information. 

There are a few different approaches to test whether or not your speed sensor is bad. One is to see if the needles on your speedometer are moving at all while you’re driving. If they’re not, then it’s likely that your speed sensor is the problem. 

Another way to check is to utilize a handheld GPS unit while driving. Compare the reading on the GPS to the reading on your speedometer. Your speed sensor is probably bad if they’re not the same. 

2. Your Check Engine Light Is On

If you notice that your check engine light is lit up, it could be due to an alarming speed sensor. Speed sensors are used to monitor the speed of your vehicle, and if they go bad, it can cause your engine light to come on. 

A few symptoms to watch out for could indicate a wrong speed sensor, such as your vehicle lurching forward when you first accelerate or the RPM needle bouncing up and down when you’re idling. 

If you’re dealing with either of these symptoms, it’s best to get your vehicle checked out by a professional for a speedometer calibration.

3.  Your Car Is Stalling or Hesitating When You Try to Accelerate

If your car is stalling or hesitating when you try to accelerate, it may be due to a bad speed sensor. The speed sensor is liable for sending information to the computer about how fast the vehicle is moving. 

If the sensor is not running correctly, the computer won’t know how much power to give the engine, proceeding in a loss of power and hesitation when accelerating. Sometimes, the check engine light may come on if the speed sensor fails. 

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s essential to have the sensor checked and replaced if necessary to avoid further damage to your car.

4. You’re Getting Poor Gas Mileage 

If you’re getting poor gas mileage, it could be because of a bad speed sensor. The speed sensor reports to the computer how fast the vehicle is going, and if it’s not working correctly, the computer can’t make the proper adjustments to improve fuel efficiency.

Conclusion

If you’re going through any of these speedometer problems, you may have a bad speed sensor. However, it’s always best to call in with a qualified mechanic to be sure. They will be apt to diagnose the problem and let you know if a new speed sensor is necessary.

Muritronix offers a wide range of services to help ensure that your gauges, engine lights, and speedometers are accurate. We have a team of qualified experts who are skilled with speedometer calibration, committed to providing the best possible service to our clients. Contact us today if you need help with your vehicle’s gauges, engine lights, or speedometers. We’ll be happy to help.