Theory Of Operation
The CMP Sensor is a dual read sensor reading both camshafts of it's correlating bank.
| 3.6L VVT Component Locations | |
|---|---|
| CALLOUT | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | VVT Actuator Bank 1 Position 1 (Intake) |
| 2 | VVT Actuator Bank 1 Position 2 (Exhaust) |
| 3 | VVT Actuator Bank 2 Position 1 (Intake) |
| 4 | VVT Actuator Bank 2 Position 2 (Exhaust) |
| 5 | Bank 1 Camshaft Sensor |
| 5A | CMP Bank 1 Sensor 1 (Exhaust) |
| 5B | CMP Bank 1 Sensor 2 (Intake) |
| 6 | Bank 2 Camshaft Sensor |
| 6A | CMP Bank 2 Sensor 1 (Exhaust) |
| 6B | CMP Bank 2 Sensor 2 (Intake) |
Variable Valve Timing (VVT) allows the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to monitor and adjust the position of each Camshaft, based on desired torque levels and engine operating conditions. The PCM controls solenoid operated control valves located on the front of the engine. There is one solenoid for each Camshaft, used to direct oil pressure to hydraulic actuators mounted between each Camshaft and its driving sprocket. The oil pressure alters the angular position or phasing of each Camshaft relative to Crankshaft rotation. A sensor is used to monitor the position of each Camshaft.
There are four separate Camshafts that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) requires positional information from. There are two Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensors with each CMP Sensor consisting of four circuits. The sensors are located at the top rear of each valve cover. On the end of each Camshaft is a magnetic encoder that is programmed with a magnetic pattern. The PCM provides a 5-Volt supply and a sensor ground circuit to the CMP Sensor and the CMP Sensor provides two Camshaft positional signals, the intake and exhaust camshaft position, to the PCM. The sensor detects the magnetically encoded information, a series of magnetic peaks and valleys, from the encoder. As each Camshaft rotates, the magnetic encoded pattern passes by the CMP Sensor creating a changing magnetic field at the sensor face. The changing magnetic field is interpreted by the sensor electronics and a digital output, ON/OFF or HIGH/LOW pattern, is produced. The length of the pulse width generated by the CMP varies in size based on the velocity of the Camshaft. The PCM decodes the digital pattern to identify the Camshaft position. The information from each individual Camshaft along with the Crankshaft information is used to control and sequence the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system and fuel injection events.