Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Camshaft Sensor
The function of the camshaft position (CMP) sensor is to detect the flanks of the camshaft rotor. The signal from the sensor is used by the engine control module (ECM) to determine the angle of the camshaft.
Each camshaft has four segments per camshaft revolution. A pulse wheel on the camshaft consisting of four teeth (the teeth are positioned by each flank) is used by the camshaft position sensor (CMP) to detect the segments.
The teeth on the camshaft gear wheel are not equally wide. This allows the control module to determine which flank is detected and therefore which operating cycle the camshaft is in.
When the operating cycle of the camshaft is established, the control module is able to determine which cylinder should be ignited. In the event of misfire or engine knock, the control module is also able to determine which cylinder is misfiring or knocking. Also refer to DESIGN .
Data about the position of the camshaft is used during camshaft control (CVVT). Also see: CAMSHAFT CONTROL (CVVT) .
The sensor, which is a magnetic resistor with a permanent magnet, is grounded in the control module and supplied with 5 V from the control module. When one of the teeth on the camshaft pulse wheel passes the camshaft position (CMP) sensor, a signal is transmitted to the control module from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor. The signal varies between 0-5 V and is high when a tooth is in contact with the camshaft position (CMP) sensor and low when the tooth leaves the camshaft position (CMP) sensor.
The camshaft position (CMP) sensor is positioned at the rear of the engine by the controllable camshaft (CVVT).
The engine control module (ECM) can diagnose the camshaft position (CMP) sensor.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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