Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Charge Pressure Sensor
Overview
The boost pressure sensor is a combined sensor and contains two sensors in the same component:
- manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor
- temperature sensor.
The boost pressure sensor is on the right-hand upper section of the charge air cooler (CAC).
Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor
The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor detects the pressure in the intake manifold downstream of the charge air cooler (CAC). The signal from the sensor is primarily used by the engine control module (ECM) to check that the correct boost pressure is reached. The boost pressure is governed by the turbocharger (TC) control valve.
The sensor, which is a piezo resistor, is grounded in the control module and supplied with 5 V from the control module.
The resistance in the sensor changes depending on the pressure in the intake manifold, giving a signal of 0.5-4.5 V. Low pressure results in low voltage, high pressure on high voltage.
The engine control module (ECM) can diagnose the air pressure sensor. The sensor signal can be read using the diagnostic tool.
Temperature sensor
The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the intake air after the charge air cooler (CAC). This data is used by the engine control module (ECM) to calculate the boost pressure control and to calculate the injection period. The control module also controls certain diagnostic functions using the signal from the temperature sensor.
The sensor, which is an NTC resistor, is grounded in the control module and supplied with power (signal) from the control module.
The resistance in the sensor changes according to the temperature of the intake air. This provides the control module with a signal of between 0.5-5 V. The lower the temperature the higher the voltage (high resistance). A high temperature results in low voltage (low resistance).
The engine control module (ECM) can diagnose the temperature sensor. The sensor signal can be read using the diagnostic tool.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.