Camshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

The camshaft position sensor is mounted on the cylinder head cover toward the rear of the engine. The camshaft sensor utilizes a non contact method on one segment of the camshaft to record the camshaft position. When the ECM receives the signal from this sensor, it can then detect TDC of cylinder number one. The signal from the camshaft sensor is only required during engine starting. Injection timing is synchronized by means of the camshaft signal and the crankshaft signal.

Camshaft Position Sensor:

On the camshaft sensor's signal line, a high signal correspond to a voltage of 0-5 V. If the segment machined into the exhaust camshaft sprocket is positioned opposite the camshaft sensor, the camshaft signal is low, approximately 0 V. This signal is used by the engine control module (ECM) for detecting ignition TDC of cylinder 1 as the engine rotates. If no signal is supplied by the camshaft position sensor, the vehicle will not start because cylinder order can not be detected.