Camshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Camshaft Position Sensor Location:

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR-PCM INPUT
The camshaft position sensor is mounted in the front of the timing case cover.

Camshaft Position Sensor:

The camshaft position sensor provides cylinder identification to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The sensor generates pulses as groups of notches on the camshaft sprocket pass underneath it. The PCM keeps track of crankshaft rotation and identifies each cylinder by the pulses generated by the notches on the camshaft sprocket.

When metal aligns with the sensor, voltage goes low (less than 0.3 volts). When a notch aligns with the sensor, voltage spikes high (5.0 volts). As a group of notches pass under the sensor, the voltage switches from low (metal) to high (notch) then back to low. The number of notches determine the amount of pulses. If available, an oscilloscope can display the square wave patterns of each timing events.