An engine control system operates to communicate via a sensor link with one or more sensors in a vehicle based on different communication protocols. The sensors alter communication protocols for communicating via the sensor link to an engine control unit to reduce or increase a current consumption according to one or more predetermined criteria. In response to a predetermine threshold of one or more of the predetermined criteria being satisfied, a sensor communicates in a first communication protocol as opposed to a second communication protocol while operating to communicate a current signal or a modulated current signal.