Crankshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

PURPOSE
The crankshaft position signal is produced by the NE Pickup Coil, located in the Distributor. The G1 and G2 Pickup Coils, also located in the Distributor though separate, works in conjunction with the NE Pickup Coils and produces an output pulse to the Engine Control Module (ECM). The ECM uses this signal to determine engine speed and relative top dead center for each cylinder.

OPERATION
The NE coil detects the crankshaft position and the G1 and G2 coils detect the camshaft position. Whenever the engine is rotating, a sine-wave signal is returned to the ECM. As engine speed increases the frequency of the signal increases as well. With the NE signal coupled with the signal of the G1 and G2 Pickup Coils, exact piston position can be determined by the ECM.