Nissan Crankshaft Sensor

Description

How Does the Crankshaft Position Sensor Work?

Here are a few ways in which this sensor functions. Let’s take a look.

Sensing

If you look at the crankshaft, you will find a powerful magnet next to it. You will also find that there are steel pins or pegs arranged at regular intervals around the crankshaft.

This magnet constantly radiates a magnetic field that is steady. As the engine starts and the crankshaft spins the steel pins around the shaft rotate around this field. This causes fluctuation in the field, thus producing an AC (alternating current) signal. This further signals the engine management unit (engine computer) to decipher the speed of rotation. In turn, the EMU is able to calculate the position and the pace of the camshaft to further optimize fuel injection and ignition.

Adjustments

The way modern cars are, we must learn one thing. The engines will give us an efficient performance only if the internal parts are moving at a particular recommended speed. It is only once the crankshaft position sensor senses the rotation of the crankshaft inside the engine that the on-board can make use of the information that the sensor sends to it. This is when the computer will make small adjustments/fine-tunings in to the engine to increase its efficiency.

Consider the cases when you are moving full-throttle. The constant throttle in modes like cruise mode or sports mode, the computer needs to make these fine adjustments to the engine in order to change the speed. The computer will ensure that it constantly checks the rotational speed of the crankshaft, compares it to the ideal range, and make speed adjustments accordingly. This adjustment can be in terms of both increasing and decreasing the speed.