Camshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Typical Variable Reluctant Sensor:

PURPOSE
The Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor detects the position of the camshaft when piston number one is at a specific top dead center point of its compression stroke. A signal is then supplied to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and used for synchronizing the firing of sequential fuel injectors. The input circuit is referred to as the Cylinder Identification (CID) input or circuit.

OPERATION
The CMP sensor is a Variable Reluctance Sensor (VRS) which is triggered by the high point mark on the camshaft sprocket.