A crankshaft position sensor is a special electronic device that serves to monitor the position or rotational speed of the crankshaft in internal combustion engines. The information is transmitted from the crank sensor to the engine management systems and used to control the fuel injection or the ignition system timing and other parameters. Crank sensors are also used as the source for the measurement of engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Where is the crankshaft position sensor located?
The crank position sensor is located on the main crank pulley, the flywheel or on the crankshaft itself. This sensor is necessary in modern-day internal combustion engines. The signals of the sensor allow the fuel injection or spark ignition in time.
Types of crankshaft position sensor
The main types of sensors:
- Inductive sensor;
- Hall Effect sensor;
- Magnetoresistive sensor;
- Optical sensor.
Symptoms of crankshaft sensor failure
You can see a worsening of the way the engine idles or the acceleration behavior, motor vibration, or backfires. Often, the car may not start.
What causes crankshaft sensor failure?
The main causes why the crankshaft sensor failures are dying of old age at high mileage, exposure to extreme heat, wire corrosion on the pins of harness connectors, and damage by water or other fluids. All these causes can be a reason why the crankshaft position sensor stops transmitting the signal to the engine`s management system.
