Are you concerned that you may be experiencing some Detroit 12.7 boost sensor problems?
A boost pressure sensor is crucial for the health of your vehicle. It makes sure that there is no overloading happening to your turbocharger, which also prevents damage to your engine.
Your vehicle has many components that help to improve the power output aside from your supercharger or turbocharger. Your boost sensor is one of these. But the question is, how can you tell exactly if you have a faulty boost sensor? Moreover, how do you know if it is time to replace it?
What are the common signs of a problem to keep an eye out for when it comes to boost sensor problems? Read on to learn more.
Detroit 12.7 Boost Sensor Problems
To prevent things from getting worse, you need to pay close attention to symptoms that come with problems. In the case of a faulty boost sensor, there are some signs that it may be failing or has gone out completely.
Here are among the symptoms that you need to look into and what it means when you show these signs.
1. Check engine light
When you have a malfunctioning boost sensor, you will see your check engine light is illuminated. Thus, if you see an error code pointing at the boost sensor, it means you need to get it checked. But do keep in mind that there are a few other things that can be causing the check engine light to switch on such as an electrical issue. This is why you need to verify first if there is a problem with your turbocharger.
2. Increased or reduced performance of your engine
The boost sensor lets your ECM know the output of the turbocharger. With that being said, if the numbers are not reported accurately, your ECM will have to adjust to these faulty readings. Hence, the engine performance may either be less or more than what it used to.
More often than not, if you have a problem with your boost sensor, the performance in your engine may be more noticeable. The reason for this is that your ECM is not aware of how your turbocharger is currently performing, which prevents it from optimizing the performance.
But at the same time, there are instances when a faulty boost sensor can improve the turbo pressure, which is why performance also increases. However, this is not good for your engine, which is why you need to have this addressed immediately.
3. Boost pressure increase or decrease
Not only is it your engine performance that decreases or increases when you have problems with your boost sensor. Even your boost pressure can fluctuate drastically because of a reduction or increase in the turbo pressure.
Therefore, it is best to have your boost sensor inspected if you notice such fluctuations are happening.
Boost Sensor Issues And Costs Involved
The boost sensor informs your ECM of the amount of boost that your turbocharger is producing. Although your ECM requests for a particular boost level, it also needs to measure the request’s results. So, your boost sensor is responsible for providing key information to your ECM that is crucial for optimizing the fuel to air ratio, which then positively impacts performance.
Furthermore, your boost sensor protects your engine if your turbocharger suddenly stops working as it used to. Your boost sensor is located in your vehicle that is not getting in the way or obstructing anything, so you are able to drive smoothly.
Yet, there are some components that also need to be removed when you have to get your boost sensor replaced because of current and persistent problems. This impacts the cost of replacement and labor, which can go for about $175 to as much as $200. Do keep in mind that the amount still depends on your vehicle and the service center you take it to. This is why if you would like to cut back on your expenses, it may be best to do the replacement yourself.
By doing so, you only have to spend on the spare parts and no longer have to pay for labor costs. A boost sensor costs more than $125, on average, and thankfully it is not complicated to get it replaced. You just have to disconnect your battery, unplug your electrical connector and then take the bolt out, which holds your sensor.
Then, plug the new sensor in and reconnect your battery, and it is good to go!
Important Things To Note
You may be wondering if you should continue driving when you are well aware that your boost sensor is acting up. The answer is no – you should not drive when there is a problem with your boost sensor. Yoru vehicle depends on this component as your ECM ends up directing more than enough power to your turbocharger, which can be detrimental for your engine’s performance and lifespan.
If you have a boost sensor problem, and you still continue to drive your vehicle, you are looking at the possibility of incurring more damages to it. The possible cost of replacing many other components impacted by this damage can go up to several thousands of dollars – and your engine may even become totaled. With more heat than your engine can handle, several components can become damaged, too.
So, we recommend that either you get your boost sensor fixed sooner than later or just leave your vehicle in the garage until you can get it fixed. By doing so, you can prevent further issues from happening and reduce the risk of having to lose your engine – and your vehicle – over time.
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Wrap Up
A boost sensor can happen due to a number of reasons. But whatever the cause may be, it is important to pay close attention to common symptoms that show the presence of a problem. This way, you can prevent further damage to your engine and ensure the lifespan of your vehicle.