Crankshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Distributor:

PURPOSE
Provides engine speed and crankshaft position information to the ECM.

LOCATION
Built into distributor.

OPERATION AND CONSTRUCTION
Built into the distributor, the CKP consists of a photoelectric pick-up and rotor plate with light transmission slits. As the rotor plate turns, the slits alternately transmit and cut light read by the photoelectric pick-up unit. This generates pulses utilized by the ECM to calculate engine rpm and crankshaft position.