is a vacuum sensor the same as a map sensor?

[Scott26]

I'm looking on my wiring diagram and it says vacuum sensor I'm wondering if its the same as map sensor
Posted via Mobile Device

[beamn7]

More or less.........yes. Our trucks here in CA listed them as VAC sensors but they didn't start calling them MAP sensors until 87 when they moved to TBI

[Metalshapes]

Yes and no. I'm assuming you have an 80's model with esc since you didnt specify. A vaccum sensor reads manifold vacuum and sends that information to a primitive computer which changes the air/fuel ratio in the carburetor and also makes incremental changes to the timing itself to keep the engine at optimum mileage and efficiency, while a MAP sensor stands for Manifold Absolute Pressure and is normally found on fuel injected vehicles with the obd1 system. It takes readings of intake air, specifically density and relays that to a computer to determine how to meter the fuel for the perfect stoichiometric ratio. (read air fuel ratio). In obd2 systems, the engines use a MAF sensor(Mass Airflow Sensor) to do the same thing. The vacuum and map sensors look similar and function in similar ways but are not interchangeable and the maf sensor looks totally different and is located in the intake tract between the throttlebody and the air filter. Hope this helps and that i didn't just tell you how to build a watch when all you were asking for was the time.

[Scott26]

Thank you guys