Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor

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The CMP sensor detects the position of the camshaft. The CMP sensor identifies when piston number 1 is on its compression stroke. A signal is then sent to the PCM and used for synchronizing the sequential firing of the fuel injectors. Coil on plug (COP) ignition applications use the CMP sensor signal to select the correct ignition coil to fire.

Inline engines with 2 camshafts and with variable camshaft timing (VCT) are equipped with 2 CMP sensors. The second sensor identifies the exhaust camshaft position.

The 2 sensor system on inline engines use the following CMP sensor signal circuit names:

CMP11 - bank 1, sensor 1 (intake camshaft)
CMP12 - bank 1, sensor 2 (exhaust camshaft)

Engines with 1 camshaft per bank and with VCT are equipped with 2 CMP sensors. The second sensor identifies the camshaft position on bank 2.

The 2 sensor system on engines with 1 camshaft per bank and with VCT use the following CMP sensor signal circuit names:

CMP11 - bank 1, sensor 1 (intake camshaft)
CMP21 - bank 2, sensor 1 (exhaust camshaft)

Engines with 4 camshafts and with VCT are equipped with 4 CMP sensors. The 4 sensors identify the position of each camshaft.

The 4 sensor system uses the following CMP sensor signal circuit names:

CMP11 - bank 1, sensor 1 (intake camshaft)
CMP12 - bank 1, sensor 2 (exhaust camshaft)
CMP21 - bank 2, sensor 1 (intake camshaft)
CMP22 - bank 2, sensor 2 (exhaust camshaft)

There are the 2 types of CMP sensors used. The 2 pin variable reluctance sensor and the 3 pin Hall effect sensor.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Typical Variable Reluctance CMP Sensor

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Typical Hall Effect CMP Sensor