Component Description

The crankshaft position sensor (POS) is located on the cylinder block rear housing facing the gear teeth (cogs) of the signal plate at the end of the crankshaft. It detects the fluctuation of the engine revolution.

The sensor consists of a permanent magnet and Hall IC.

When the engine is running, the high and low parts of the teeth cause the gap with the sensor to change.

The changing gap causes the magnetic field near the sensor to change.

Due to the changing magnetic field, the voltage from the sensor changes.

The ECM receives the voltage signal and detects the fluctuation of the engine revolution.

ECM receives the signals as shown in Fig 2.

Fig 1: Identifying Crankshaft Position Sensor

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Fig 2: Crankshaft Position Sensor Waveform Pattern

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.