Camshaft Position Sensor: Operation
The camshaft position sensor provides cylinder identification to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) (Fig 1 ). The sensor generates pulses. The PCM determines crankshaft position from the camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position sensor inputs. The PCM uses the input to determine fuel injection synchronization and to determine which ignition coil to energize.
The camshaft position sensor detects when a step in the camshaft sprocket passes beneath it (Fig 2 ). When the sensor detects the step, the input voltage from the sensor to the PCM switches from low (0.3 volts) to high (5 volts). As the step returns away from the sensor, the input voltage switches back to low (0.3 volts). The paper spacer is not used on Viper. Don't use at all it plugs up the oil pickup screen.