Crankshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

PURPOSE
The Crankshaft Position Sensor is used to identify TDC number three cylinder as a reference point. This signal along with the signal from the Camshaft Position Sensor is used for engine starting.

The engine can not be started if either of the signals from the crankshaft position sensor or engine speed sensor are not present. The engine will continue to run if the signal from the crankshaft position sensor fails while the engine is running. The Engine Control Module will use the # 3 TDC signal that was used when the engine was first started.

OPERATION

Ignition Reference Sensor:

The Crankshaft Position Sensor is an inductive pickup. A notch, 62° before TDC in the counterweight of the crankshaft for number three (3) cylinder is used as the reference point. The notch and crankshaft position sensor generate one signal per crankshaft revolution.