Crankshaft Position Sensor

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

The Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor is located on the left side of the crankshaft rear oil seal housing. The sensor lead passes through a cover in the side of the cylinder block. The sensor tip is aligned with a reluctor ring on the rear flange of the crankshaft. The sensor produces a square wave signal, the frequency of which is proportional to engine speed.

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors the CKP sensor signal and can detect engine over-speed. The PCM counteracts engine over-speed by gradually fading out speed synchronized functions. The CKP is a Hall effect sensor. The sensor measures the magnetic field variation induced by the reluctor ring.

The reluctor ring has a 60 minus two pole pattern. The missing poles provide a reference point for the angular position of the crankshaft. When the space with the two missing poles passes the sensor tip, a gap in the signal is produced which the PCM uses to determine the crankshaft position.

The PCM uses the signal from the CKP sensor for the following functions:

Synchronization
Determine fuel injection timing
Produce an engine speed signal which is broadcast on the High Speed (HS) Controller Area Network (CAN) chassis system bus for use by other systems.

The CKP sensor receives a 5 V supply from the PCM. Two further connections to the PCM provide ground and signal output.