Crankshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

CRANKSHAFT POSITION (CKP) SENSOR




The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor is located in the front cover of the cylinder block near the crankshaft pulley. The CKP sensor produces an AC signal that increases in both frequency and amplitude as the engine speed increases. The CKP sensor signal is sent to the PCM in order to indicate the RPM and the crankshaft position. The PCM uses the CKP sensor signal along with the camshaft position (CMP) sensor signal for the following purposes:
- To calculate the fuel injector pulse
- To establish the piston position top dead center (TDC) for the ignition timing
- To start the ignition coil and fuel injection sequencing