What is a Barometric Pressure Sensor? What are the symptoms of a BAP/BARO sensor failure? How can you identify a BARO sensor malfunction ?….
What is a Barometric pressure sensor?
Barometric air pressure (BAP/BARO) sensors are a common component in vehicles. They measure the atmosphere pressure in the vehicle’s environment. The vehicle’s performance is affected by the air pressure. It changes with temperature and altitude. There are two very different engine requirements for vehicles driving on Antalya’s coastal road or Erzurum at 1890m elevation. The atmospheric pressure and density of the air decrease as you go above sea level. For example, at 40,000ft (12km) above sea level, there are approximately half the number of molecules per cubic meter of air. Higher altitudes mean less oxygen for your engine because of the sparse air.
Modern vehicles have the BAP and MAP sensors integrated. These sensors are located in the intake system. The BAP sensor, which is located in the intake manifold of older vehicles, is typically found on the firewall or inner skirt of the vehicle. It can be accessed directly from the atmosphere. Both sensors function in a similar way. While the MAP sensor measures inside pressure, the BAP sensor measures outside pressure and can detect smaller variations in atmospheric pressure. The vehicle’s primary computer (PCM/ECM/ECU) often uses data from both sensors in order to determine the optimal fuel timing and amount for optimal engine performance.
What are the Signs of Failure of Barometric Pressure Sensor?
Failure of the BAP sensor can lead to engine performance problems. A malfunctioning BAP sensor can cause warning signs to the driver. These are the most common symptoms of a malfunction:
- – Illumination for the check engine light
- – Engine Stalling and Stalling
- – Variations in engine speed when the engine is idle
- – Hesitation during acceleration
- – Reduced engine performance
- – An increase in fuel consumption
- – Poor or excessively high operating conditions caused by deterioration to the engine’s fuel-air mixture
Poor Engine Performance/Slow Acceleration/Lack of Power
Reduced engine performance is the most common sign of a defective BAP sensor. A faulty BAP sensor sends incorrect signals to the onboard computer. This can negatively affect engine performance. The BAP sensor provides information that helps to determine fuel quantity and timing conditions. Erroneous signals can lead to miscalculations. This can result in a decrease in power and misfires at acceleration.
On – Engine Malfunction Light
A bad BAP sensor can cause the check engine lamp to turn on. If the BAP sensor does not send a signal or it receives faulty signals, the PCM will create a fault code and turn on the check engine to notify the driver. You should check the PCM’s fault codes to determine why your check engine light comes on. The P0105 fault code is the most commonly associated with the BAP sensor.
Modern engine management systems have many BAP sensors. They are difficult to test because they work under atmospheric pressure. It is important to replace a faulty BAP sensor as soon as possible.
