Crankshaft Position Sensor

The crankshaft position sensor is an internally magnetic biased digital output integrated circuit sensing device. The sensor detects magnetic flux changes of the teeth and slots of the reluctor wheel on the crankshaft. The reluctor wheel is spaced at 60-tooth spacing, with two missing teeth for the reference gap. The reference gap is used to identify the crankshaft position at each start-up. The crankshaft position sensor produces an ON/OFF DC voltage of varying frequency, with 58 output pulses per crankshaft revolution. The crankshaft position sensor sends a digital signal to the ECM as each tooth on the reluctor wheel rotates past the crankshaft position sensor. The ECM uses each crankshaft position signal pulse to determine crankshaft speed position. This information is then used to determine the optimum ignition and injection points of the engine. The ECM also uses crankshaft position sensor output information to determine the camshaft relative position to the crankshaft, to control camshaft phasing, and to detect cylinder misfire.

The ECM also has a dedicated replicated crankshaft position sensor signal output circuit that may be used as an input signal to other modules for monitoring engine RPM.