Automotive Sensor

CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS

FIGURE 19-1 A typical magnetic crankshaft position sensor used on a General Motors V-
6 engine.
CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS

FIGURE 19-2 Some Hall-effect

sensors look like magnetic
sensors. This Hall-effect
camshaft reference sensor and
crankshaft position sensor have
an electronic circuit built in that
creates a 0- to 5-volt signal as
shown at the bottom. These
Hall-effect sensors have three
wires: a power supply (8 volts)
from the computer (controller);
a signal (0 to 5 volts); and a
signal ground.
 MAGNETIC POSITION SENSOR
Parts and Operation

• Some characteristics of a magnetic sensor

include:
– Two-wire sensors.
– Sensors mounted near a gear or notched wheel.
– Sensors where the faster the toothed wheel
moves past the sensor, the higher the frequency
of the output signal.
– Magnetic position sensors generate a higher
voltage signal with increased engine speed.
MAGNETIC POSITION SENSOR
Parts and Operation

FIGURE 19-3 A magnetic sensor

uses a permanent magnet
surrounded by a coil of wire. The
notches of the crankshaft (or
camshaft) create a variable
magnetic field strength around
the coil. When a metallic section
is close to the sensor, the
magnetic field is stronger because
metal is a better conductor of
magnetic lines of force than air.
 MAGNETIC POSITION SENSOR
• Testing Magnetic Position Sensors
– Check the sensor connection and wiring.
– Check that the sensor itself is magnetic.
– Check the resistance of a magnetic sensor.
– Scope testing a magnetic sensor.
 MAGNETIC POSITION SENSOR

FIGURE 19-4 A magnetic sensor being tested for magnetism. This sensor was able to
hold a bolt and had about the same magnetic strength as a new sensor.
 MAGNETIC POSITION SENSOR

FIGURE 19-5 An AC voltage is produced by a magnetic sensor. Most sensors should

produce at least 0.1 volt AC while the engine is cranking if the pickup wheel has many
teeth. If the pickup wheel has only a few teeth, you may need to switch the meter to read
DC volts and watch the display for a jump in voltage as the teeth pass the magnetic
sensor. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
MAGNETIC POSITION SENSOR

FIGURE 19-6 A magnetic sensor

connected to a digital storage
oscilloscope.
 MAGNETIC POSITION SENSOR

FIGURE 19-7 (a) Magnetic sensor waveform as shown on a digital storage oscilloscope. (b)
A sync notch provides a signal to the computer that cylinder number one is at top dead
center (TDC). (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
 HALL-EFFECT DIGITAL SENSORS
• Parts and Operation
– The typical Hall-effect sensor has three wires:
• Power (can be 8 to 12 volts)
• Ground
• Signal
• Testing Hall-Effect Sensors
– If the scope pattern indicates a problem or a
scope is not available, other tests include:
• Check the sensor connection and wiring.
• Check the sensor damage.
 HALL-EFFECT DIGITAL SENSORS

FIGURE 19-8 (a) The connection required to test a Hall-effect sensor. (b) A typical waveform from a
Hall-effect sensor. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
 HALL-EFFECT DIGITAL SENSORS

FIGURE 19-9 The waveform from a Hall-effect sensor (switch) should be checked for
consistency and sharp transitions. (Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
 MAGNETIC-RESISTIVE SENSORS
• Parts and Operation
– A magnetic-resistive sensor (abbreviated MRE) is
similar to a magnetic sensor but, instead of producing
an analog voltage signal, the electronics inside the
sensor itself generate a digital on/off signal or an
output.
• Testing a Magnetic-Resistive Sensor
– If the scope pattern indicates a problem or a scope is
not available, other tests include:
• Check the sensor connection and wiring.
• Check that the sensor itself is magnetic.
 MAGNETIC-RESISTIVE SENSORS

FIGURE 19-10 The input signals to a magnetic resistive sensor and the electronic circuits
inside the sensor convert them to a digital (on and off) signal.
 OPTICAL SENSORS
• Parts and Operation
– Optical sensors typically use a photo diode and/or a
photo transistor and a slotted disk to detect
distributor position.
– The output is a digital on/off (square wave) signal that
is very accurate.
• Testing Optical Sensors
– If the scope pattern indicates a problem or a scope is
not available, other tests include:
• Check the sensor connection and wiring.
• Check the sensor or wiring for damage.
OPTICAL SENSORS

FIGURE 19-11 (a) The low-

resolution signal has the same
number of pulses as the engine
has cylinders. (b) A dual trace
pattern showing both the low-
resolution signal and the high-
resolution signals that usually
represent 1 degree of rotation.
(Courtesy of Fluke Corporation)
 KNOCK SENSORS
• Knock sensors are used to detect abnormal
combustion, often called ping, spark knock, or
detonation.
– Whenever abnormal combustion occurs, a rapid
pressure increase occurs in the cylinder, creating a
vibration in the engine block.
• Diagnosing the Knock Sensor
• Replacing a Knock Sensor
 KNOCK SENSORS

FIGURE 8-31 A typical waveform from a knock sensor during a spark knock event. This
signal is sent to the computer which in turn retards the ignition timing. This timing retard is
accomplished by an output command from the computer to either a spark advance control
unit or directly to the ignition module.
 SUMMARY
1. The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor is used as an input
sensor to the PCM for engine speed (RPM) and piston
position for spark timing control.
2. A camshaft position sensor is also called a cylinder
identification (CID) sensor and is primarily used to time the
sequential fuel injection.
3. A magnetic position sensor generates an analog voltage
signal.
4. A Hall-effect position sensor generates a digital (on and off)
voltage signal.
5. A magnetic-resistive position sensor creates a digital output
signal.
6. An optical position sensor creates a digital output signal.