Silhouette V6-3.4L VIN E (1996)
Camshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation
The camshaft position sensor sends a cam signal to the PCM which uses it as a sync pulse to trigger the injectors in proper sequence. The PCM uses the
CAM signal to indicate the position of the #1 piston during its intake stroke. This allows the PCM to calculate true Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) mode
of operation. If the PCM detects an incorrect CAM signal while the engine is running, DTC P0341 will set.
If the CAM signal is lost while the engine is running, the fuel injection system will shift to a calculated sequential fuel injection mode based on the last
fuel injection pulse, and the engine will continue to run. The engine can be restarted and will run in the calculated sequential mode as long as the fault is
present with a 1 in 6 chance of injector sequence being correct.
A 3-wire harness connector plugs into the sensor, connecting it to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The PCM applies a signal voltage to the
camshaft position sensor. The left bank exhaust camshaft has a tooth machined on the casting. The camshaft position sensor is separated from the exhaust
camshaft by an air gap. As the exhaust camshaft rotates, the machined tooth aligns with the camshaft position sensor. The signal voltage to the sensor is
pulled low. The PCM interprets the change in signal voltage as an indication of camshaft position. The CAM signal is created as piston #1 is on the
intake stroke. If the correct CAM signal is not received by the PCM, DTC P0341 will be set.
