The fuel rail is responsible for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber.
This sensor ensures that your car’s engine cylinders receive the correct amount of fuel at the right pressure. The sensor calculates the pressure and sends the data to the ECU.
The ECU then determines the correct fuel supply measurement. Any malfunction of the pressure sensor in the fuel supply can interrupt the proper engine flow and lead to a collapse in engine performance.
Signs of a Bad Fuel Pressure Sensor
Modern car sensors are susceptible to damage from constant exposure to pollutants such as dirt, dust, and heat.
The fuel rail sensor is one such sensor that can be damaged quite easily. If this is the case, you should experience some symptoms of its failure, which should prompt you to seek the services of a professional mechanic.
1. Difficulty Starting Your Car
As already mentioned, the fuel rail supplies the cylinders with the same fuel. The mechanism that ensures the efficiency of the fuel rail is the fuel rail pressure sensor. If the fuel rail sensor malfunctions, it sends incorrect information to the ECU, which alters the settings, causing an accidental interruption in fuel supply and a longer start for your car.
2. Poor Engine Performance
A faulty fuel rail pressure sensor will affect your ride’s performance. If you try to accelerate, your engine will not have an efficient fuel supply, resulting in poor acceleration. Not only that, if the fuel pressure sensor is faulty, it may provide too little information to the ECU, which in turn can increase the amount of fuel injected into the engine. As a result, you lose fuel and have to fill your car’s tank more frequently.
3. Check Engine Light
This is probably the first symptom you notice. The check engine light indicates that something is wrong with your engine and requires immediate attention. This light is triggered by the ECU, which detects the faulty fuel rail pressure sensor and acts accordingly. Whenever this light comes on your dashboard, you should go to the nearest mechanic.
4. Engine Stalling
A poor fuel supply to the engine will cause unexpected stalling. No matter what you try, the engine will not restart. If this happens frequently, the fuel rail pressure sensor is not functioning correctly enough to send the right information to the vehicle’s onboard computer.
If the ECU is unable to make adjustments, your vehicle is at high risk of developing unnecessary problems.
Cleaning the Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor and Connector
Every sensor should be properly treated every few thousand kilometers to ensure its efficiency. The fuel rail pressure sensor is one such sensor, located under the intake manifold and just touching the fuel rail. Given its location, you can imagine the amount of heat the sensor must absorb and the vibrations it must feel. The sensor will eventually fail. Cleaning the sensor and connector can refresh its functions.
Things You Will Need:
- Cloth
- Cleaner
- Plastic bag
Remove the Sensor
Removing the sensor actually requires mechanical work. A few wrenches, spanners, and screwdrivers must be used to save the day. However, if you are reading this part of the article in the first place, you must have some interest in keeping your sensor alive a bit longer. The first thing you need to do is unplug the electrical plug that goes into the fuel rail sensor. The second thing is to remove the vacuum line coming from the engine. When all these parts are disconnected from the fuel rail pressure sensor, you can try to remove it.
Use a Cleaner for Cleaning
There are two ways to clean a sensor, one is classic with alcohol or ethanol, while the other requires the use of a special cleaner. However, both methods also clean the sensor. Start by cleaning the sensor with a clean cloth to remove fresh dust. When the dust is clean, place the sensor in the plastic bag and add a little cleaner to help remove contaminants. Then let the sensor dry. Drying may take longer if you use a cleaner as it contains a number of chemicals.
Reinstall the Sensor
As soon as the fuel rail pressure sensor has dried, you can reinstall it. Make sure to clean the end of the electrical connector and the vacuum line before connecting it to the sensor, otherwise your hard work will be in vain. Follow the procedure you used when you removed the sensor to reinstall it.
Testing and Repairing the Sensor
When you have finished installing the system, start your vehicle and check the dashboard for the check engine light. If it is still on, you need to use an error code scanner to reset the light. Error code scanners or OBD2 scanners are common on the market. They are relatively cheap and convenient for a home mechanic, so you should consider buying one if you don’t have one yet.
Restart your car after resetting the check engine light. If it comes back on, you should see the mechanic, as the problem may be more serious. A mechanic can only work to a certain extent. The sensor is an electrical component that can easily become faulty; indeed, so bad that it cannot be repaired. In such cases, you need the mechanic to replace your old sensor with a new one.