Cutlass Supreme V6-204 3.4L DOHC VIN X SFI (1995)
Crankshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor 3X
3X Crankshaft Position Sensor
PURPOSE
The 3X crankshaft position sensor provides a signal through the electronic Ignition Control Module (ICM) which the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) uses as reference to calculate RPM and crankshaft position.
OPERATION
The Hall-effect switch closest to the crankshaft, the 3X crankshaft position sensor, is so called because the interrupter ring has a special wheel cast
on the crankshaft that has seven machined slots, six of which are equally spaced 60° apart. The seventh slot is spaced 10° from one of the other
slots. As the interrupter ring rotates with the crankshaft, the slots change the magnetic field. This will cause the 3X Hall-effect switch to ground the
3X signal voltage supplied from the ICM. The ICM interprets the 3X "ON-OFF" signals as an indication of crankshaft position. The ICM powers
the 3X crankshaft position sensor and must have the 3X signal to "fire" the correct ignition coil.
