Grand Prix V6-3.8L SC VIN 1 (1997)
Camshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation
Camshaft And Crankshaft Position Sensors
The camshaft position sensor is located on the timing cover behind the water pump near the camshaft sprocket.
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.
As the camshaft sprocket turns, a magnet in it activates the Hall-effect switch in the camshaft position sensor. When the Hall-effect switch is
activated, it grounds the signal line to the PCM, pulling the cam signal line's applied voltage low. This is interpreted as a cam signal. The cam
signal is created as piston #1 is approximately 25 degrees after top dead center on the power 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.
Refer to DTC P0341 for further information.
