Crankshaft Position Sensor

1989 Buick Skyhawk S/E, StandardSECTION Crankshaft Position Sensor

The crankshaft position sensor is mounted on the bottom of the DIS ignition module or near the ignition module. See Figure-Figure . The sensor protrudes through the side of engine block and is mounted within .050" (1.3 mm) of an internally-mounted crankshaft reluctor ring. Sensor position is not adjustable.

The reluctor is a special piece of metal cast with the crankshaft. It has 7 slots machined into it, 6 of which are equally spaced (60 degrees apart). A seventh slot is spaced about 10 degrees from one of the other slots and generates a synchronization pulse signal. As crankshaft rotates, notches in the reluctor ring change the magnetic field at the tip of position sensor. This creates an induced AC voltage signal in the sensor windings, resulting in RPM reference signals which are sent to ECM by ignition module. This allows ECM to compute crankshaft position and RPM, and fire appropriate ignition coil at the proper time.

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Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

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