Camshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation
SENSOR-CAMSHAFT POSITIONDESCRIPTION
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) (3) is bolted to the right-front side of the right cylinder head (2).
OPERATION
The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) sensor on the 3.7L (3) contains a hall effect device referred to as a sync signal generator. A rotating target wheel (tone-wheel) (4) for the CMP is located at the front of the camshaft for the right cylinder head (2). This sync signal generator detects notches (1) located on a tone-wheel. As the tonewheel rotates, the notches pass through the sync signal generator. The signal from the CMP sensor is used in conjunction with the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) to differentiate between fuel injection and spark events. It is also used to synchronize the fuel injectors with their respective cylinders. When the leading edge of the tonewheel notch enters the tip of the CMP, the interruption of magnetic field causes the voltage to switch high, resulting in a sync signal of approximately 5 volts.
When the trailing edge of the tonewheel notch leaves the tip of the CMP, the change of the magnetic field causes the sync signal voltage to switch low to 0 volts.
The CMP sensor engine contains a hall effect device called a sync signal generator to generate a fuel sync signal. This sync signal generator detects notches located on a tonewheel. The tonewheel (4) is located at the front of the camshaft for the right cylinder head (2). As the tonewheel rotates, the notches (1) pass through the sync signal generator. The pattern of the notches (viewed counter-clockwise from front of engine) is: 1 notch, 2 notches, 3 notches, 3 notches, 2 notches, 1 notch, 3 notches and 1 notch. The signal from the CMP sensor is used in conjunction with the crankshaft position sensor to differentiate between fuel injection and spark events. It is also used to synchronize the fuel injectors with their respective cylinders.