Crankshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

PURPOSE
The crankshaft position sensor senses the crank angle (piston position) of each cylinder, converts it into a pulse signal and inputs it to the engine control module, which then computes the engine speed and controls the fuel injection timing based on the input signal.

OPERATION
Power to the crankshaft position sensor is supplied from the Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) relay and is grounded to the body. A 5V voltage is applied from the engine control module to the crankshaft position sensor output terminal, and the crankshaft position sensor generates a pulse signal as it switches from OPEN to SHORT (power transistor inside the sensor switches ON/OFF) between the output terminal and the ground.