Making sense out of sensors: minor adjustments can cause major improvements. (auto service)

Today's automobile engines are slaves to the almighty microprocessor. But it is certainly a better taskmaster than the archaic engine regulation systems.

The microprocessor, more commonly referred to as the electronic Control module (ECM), feeds off of the electrical signals of temperature, physical movement, wheel speed, pressure and vacuum collected by sensors that are strategically placed about the automobile.

The ECM sorts them out, makes some calculations and then activates the proper engine controls to provide optimum fuel mileage, power and emissions.

Unfortunately, when a sensor is faulty or mis-adjusted, it can wreak havoc with the ECM's control over the engine.

From the earliest days of the carbureted, computer-controlled engines, the throttle position switch (now known as the throttle position sensor, or TPS) has been one of the most important …