CAMSHAFT &

CRANKSHAFT
SENSORS
KNOWHOW
 Cam and Crankshaft sensors (also known

CAMSHAFT &
as Engine Speed & Position Sensors) are a
vital part of the engine management system

CRANKSHAFT
so it’s handy to know your way around them.
That’s why we’ve put together this simple
driveby guide to give you the knowhow

SENSORS?
you need.
Camshaft sensor

WE’VE GOT
...............................

YOUR BACK!
Crankshaft sensor
...............................
Sensor; a device which detects or measures a physical property

WHAT DO
and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.

THEY DO?
The sensors, of which there are two types,
Cam and Crankshaft, provide information Camshaft
about engine speed and the exact
position of several engine parts,
crankshaft/pistons and camshaft/valves.

Supplying this information to the

engine control unit (ECU) enables the
fuel injection and ignition systems to
function efficiently.
Valves

Piston

Crankshaft
CRANKSHAFT
SENSOR DIFFERENT
TIMELINE DESIGNS OF
CRANKSHAFT
SENSORS
Used for petrol and diesel engines with electronic injection systems

Petrol: starting in the 80s (‘Motronic’ 1979); from 1990 almost all cars
have crank sensors
Diesel: starting with ‘common rail’ technology, 1997 (Alfa 156 JTD)

20
re
ssu

00
Pre
Flo lute
Air Abso
w

19
Ma nifold

90
a
ss

DIESEL ENGINES
MA F = M
F=
MA

19
PETROL ENGINES

80

19
70 A selection of common sensor designs
INSTALLATION
POSITION
CRANKSHAFT
SENSOR
The crankshaft is connected via rods to the pistons and Crankshaft speed:
via flywheel and clutch to the gearbox. It converts The frequency of rotation or rotational
the linear up and down speed of the crankshaft is called ‘crankshaft
movements of the pistons speed’ or for most practical purpose ‘engine
to a rotary motion. speed’ which is often displayed on the
dashboard display as RPM - Revolutions
per minute.

The sensor must be positioned so that it can easily detect the

rotational measurement of the shaft
INSTALLATION
POSITION
CRANKSHAFT
SENSOR
TASK OF THE
CRANKSHAFT
(CONTINUED)

SENSOR
The crankshaft sensor is installed near the
crankshaft, in or near the lower engine block
It picks up the signal of a toothed wheel or disk
which rotates with the crankshaft.

The crankshaft sensor measures the rotational speed and

angular position of the crankshaft.
This is the most important information the engine control
sensor
unit (ECU) needs to be able to work.

Toothed wheel connected to crankshaft This information is used to inject fuel and trigger the ignition
system etc.

The sensor can be positioned either end (drive belt or

flywheel end) of the crankshaft or in the middle. In some

u u
cases the sensor is in contact with oil.

Crankshaft Sensor ECU RPM Counter

Flywheel end installation position Engine Block middle installation Drive Belt end installation position
position (sensor removed)
 Hall effect sensor
n Integrated electronics
n External power supply 5V
n Square output signal (0V/5V)
n Can detect a position even if toothed
wheel is at standstill (tooth or gap)
n 3 Pins

HOW DOES A
CRANKSHAFT
SENSOR
Square output signal

WORK?
Inductive Sensor
n Generates a signal, no external
power supply
n Wave-form output signal
Crankshaft sensors generally use either the Hall effect or n Only generates a signal when
inductive principle. toothed wheel turns
! They cannot be interchanged. n Voltage rises with toothed wheel
speed, and depends on distance
to toothed wheel
n 2 or 3 Pins (3rd pin is shielding
ground connection)

Wave output signal

 CRANKSHAFT
HALL SPEED
EFFECT & POSITION
SENSOR DETECTION
VS.
INDUCTIVE
Function Principles
The crankshaft sensor can provide the ECU with data relating to

SENSOR
crankshaft speed and relative rotational position.
The toothed wheel has one bigger gap, at a dedicated position.
The signal generated by the sensor reflects this big gap, and so
the ECU can calculate the angular position.
That is why the sensors can be called:
n Engine speed sensor
Key benefits of Hall effect n Crankshaft speed sensor
sensors n Crankshaft position sensor
n Speed detection from standstill Sensor
(low speed detection) These are often the same part!! Toothed wheel with bigger gap

n The design of the sensor is smaller

and lighter
Speed = amount of teeth
n The sensitivity to electromagnetic Position = bigger gap per second
interference is lower
n Changes in the air gap between
the sensor and the toothed wheel
have no direct effect on the signal
n Higher resistance to vibrations and
temperature fluctuations
Square output signal
THE EFFECTS OF
CRANKSHAFT
SENSOR
FAILURE
Diagnostic information
The engine will not run/start if the sensor has completely
failed. In most cases a DTC (diagnostic trouble code) PO335
will be stored.
Symptoms:
The sensor delivers the input signal for the ECU n Bad starting (see below)
n Engine stalls / dies off
Without that signal, the ECU cannot keep the engine running
n Bad performance
! > Sensor failure = Car breakdown n Misfiring
Bad starting:
Output voltage generated by the sensor
depends on:
n Toothed rotor speed (especially inductive types)
n Distance from sensor to toothed rotor
n Amount of functioning windings in the sensor
This may lead to the following effect:
If gap is too big or the sensor is weak the engine may run at idle
speed and above. However, the engine may be difficult to start, may
not start using the starter motor but might start if towed.

! Reasons for failure

Sensors have no dedicated replacement interval!
Typical reasons for failures are: Water in the connector or sensor
Broken wires
Age
 CAMSHAFT
SENSORS
The camshaft which is driven by the crankshaft via
a timing belt, chain or gears rotates at half the speed
of the crankshaft and open and closes the valves.
The camshaft sensor measures the relative rotational
position of the camshaft.
INSTALLATION
POSITION
CAMSHAFT
SENSOR
Engine with two camshafts “DOHC”

Camshaft position:
The position of the camshaft is (together with
the crankshaft position) used to determine the
piston's position within the cylinder and which
part of the combustion cycle it is on e.g. intake,
compression, power or exhaust.

u
Camshaft sensor

The sensor must be located so it can easily detect the rotational

movement of the camshaft
INSTALLATION TASK
POSITION OF THE
CAMSHAFT CAMSHAFT
SENSOR SENSOR
The camshaft sensor measures the position of the camshaft. This signal - in
conjunction with the crankshaft position - is used to determine in which
u stroke each cylinder is on. The ECU needs the signal to determine when to
inject fuel and to trigger the spark plug.

Camshaft Sensor
The camshaft sensor(s) Fuel injector
is installed near the
camshaft(s), in or near
the cylinder head.
Camshaft position

u u

u
u
ECU
Camshaft Sensor

Ignition
 APPLICATION
CAMSHAFT
DIFFERENT SENSORS
DESIGNS OF
CAMSHAFT
Used for petrol and diesel engines with electronic injection systems.
Many newer engines have two camshafts, and often (not always)

SENSORS
two camshaft sensors.
With variable camshaft timing, the sensor(s) may also be used to
monitor this function.

Variable camshaft timing

A selection of common sensor designs

Two camshafts (DOHC)
  
 
           

HOW DOES A
CAMSHAFT
Hall effect sensor
n Integrated electronics

SENSOR
n External power supply 5V
n Square output signal (0V/5V)

WORK?
n Can detect a position even if
toothed wheel is at standstill
n 3 Pins

Camshaft sensors generally use the Hall effect principle.

Square output signal

 THE EFFECTS OF
CAMSHAFT
SENSOR
FAILURE DIAGNOSTIC
INFORMATION
CAMSHAFT AND
Failure mains no input signal for the ECU

CRANKSHAFT
However, without that signal, the ECU can (in most cars) keep the engine running

SENSORS
Sensor failure = Delayed starting, MIL on, DTC P0340

! If engine has variable camshaft timing, this function will not work
with a defective camshaft sensor

If DTC for Cam and Crankshaft sensors is displayed it is possible that there is a
problem with engine timing (timing belt, timing chain).
DTC will hint at ‘synchronization’.
Typical codes for variable camshaft timing problems are: P0011 and P0021
(Camshaft position sensor ‘Bank 1’ and Camshaft position sensor “Bank 2”).
Check:
! Reasons for failure 4 Oil control valve
Sensors have no dedicated replacement interval!
Typical reasons for failures are: Water in the connector or sensor 4 Oil control valve filter screen
Broken wires 4 Camshaft timing/gears
Age
4 The electrical side of the actuation
4 The ECU
 DIAGNOSTIC
INFORMATION
CAMSHAFT AND
CRANKSHAFT
SENSORS
After replacing a sensor:
Many cars require a ‘learning’ procedure.
A scan tool may be required, sometimes a vehicle model specific
special procedure with brake and accelerator pedal is required
as well.
The position of the sensor ‘elements’ may differ very slightly in the
replacement sensor. The ECU will 'learn' the new position after
several drive cycles.

Sensor element position Sensor element position

before replacing after replacing
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