Camshaft Position Sensor

The camshaft position sensor enables the engine control unit to determine the top dead center at the end of the compression stroke of the first cylinder, which is necessary to synchronize the operation of the ignition and fuel supply system with the engine's workflow.

The camshaft sensor generates one sync pulse per full engine cycle (two full revolutions of the crankshaft). This allows for phased fuel injection - each injector injects fuel only once per two revolutions of the crankshaft, which improves the accuracy of fuel dosing and the quality of mixture formation.

Typical location of the camshaft position sensor

Connection of the USB Autoscope IV to the sensor signal wire

Setting the USB Autoscope IV to the crankshaft/camshaft sensor testing mode

Output voltage waveform of the camshaft position sensor in good condition on a Toyota Avensis 1.8i 2007, recorded while the engine was at idle

Output voltage waveform of the camshaft position sensor with a malfunction, recorded while the engine was at idle

Output voltage waveform from the camshaft position sensor on a Nissan X-Trail 2.0 2003

Zoomed signal from the camshaft position sensor

Output voltage waveforms from the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors on a Mitsubishi Pajero IV

1 – signal from the camshaft sensor
2 – signal from the crankshaft sensor

Zoomed waveform from the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors on a Mitsubishi Pajero IV

Output voltage waveform from a malfunctioning Hall effect camshaft position sensor. The low or “on” voltage is too high at 4.3 V. The low voltage should be 0…0.2 V.

Zoomed waveforms from a malfunctioning Hall effect camshaft position sensor

Signal from a malfunctioning camshaft position sensor

1 – signal from the camshaft sensor 1
2 – signal from the camshaft sensor 2

Zoomed waveform from a malfunctioning camshaft position sensor

Output voltage waveforms from a malfunctioning Hall effect sensor

1 – signal from a Hall sensor
2 – synchronization signal with the ignition spark in the cylinder 1

Zoomed signal from a malfunctioning Hall effect sensor

Camshaft position sensor signal from Toyota Avensis 1.8i 2007

Zoomed signal

Zoomed waveforms from malfunctioning CKP sensor

Video

Waveform examples

	The USB Oscilloscope program is required for waveform playback
	CMP sensor - KIA Ceed 1.6 2013
	CMP sensor - Toyota Avensis 1.8i 2007
	CMP sensor - VAZ 2114 1.5i
	Faulty Camshaft Position sensor - suddenly stops working
	Faulty Camshaft Position sensor - BMW 525i E39