Theory Of Operation

The Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor circuits consist of a Powertrain Control Module (PCM) supplied 5-Volt reference circuit, low reference circuit and an output signal circuit. The CKP Sensor is an internally magnetic biased digital output integrated circuit sensing device. The sensor detects magnetic flux changes between the peaks and valleys of a tone wheel on the crankshaft. Each tooth on the tone wheel is spaced with missing teeth for the reference gap. The CKP Sensor produces an ON/OFF DC voltage of varying frequency, reference output pulses per crankshaft revolution. The frequency of the CKP Sensor output depends on the velocity of the crankshaft. The CKP Sensor sends a digital signal, which represents an image of the crankshaft tone wheel, to the PCM as each tooth on the wheel rotates past the CKP Sensor. The PCM uses each CKP signal pulse to determine crankshaft speed and decodes the crankshaft tone wheel reference gap to identify crankshaft position. This information is then used to sequence the ignition timing and fuel injection events for the engine. The PCM also uses CKP Sensor output information to determine the crankshaft relative position to the camshaft, to detect cylinder misfire and to control the CMP actuator if equipped.