1500 4x4 Pickup V8-360 5.9L Magnum (1996)
Crankshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation
Sensor Operation
DESCRIPTION
Engine speed and crankshaft position are provided through the crankshaft position sensor. The sensor is a hall effect device combined with an
internal magnet. It is also sensitive to steel within a certain distance from it.
Fig. 5 Sensor Operation
The flywheel/drive plate has 8 single notches, spaced every 45 degrees, at its outer edge.
NOTE: The engine will not operate if the PCM does not receive a crankshaft position sensor input.
OPERATION
The notches cause a pulse to be generated when they pass under the sensor. The pulses are the input to the PCM. For each engine revolution, there
are 8 pulses generated on V-8 engines. The sensor generates pulses that are the input sent to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM
interprets the sensor input to determine the crankshaft position. The PCM then uses this position, along with other inputs, to determine injector
sequence and ignition timing.
