What is a sensor?

What is a sensor?

• A. A device that stores energy
• B. A device that lights up the dash
• C. A device that sends information to a control module
• D. An actuator

Answer: (C)

A sensor is a device that detects a physical condition—like temperature, pressure, position, or speed—and converts that measurement into an electrical signal that the vehicle’s control module can read and interpret. This data flow lets the computer decide how the system should respond, such as adjusting fuel delivery, triggering safety systems, or managing engine timing. The idea is data collection for the control module to act on.

Other items don’t fit because: storing energy is what a power source does, not sensing; a device that lights up the dash is an indicator or display, not a sensor; an actuator is the component that takes electrical signals and produces motion or a physical action, not the sensing part.