Crankshaft position sensors are found in almost every car. The most common sensors are magnetic, optical, and hall effect sensors. The crankshaft sensor is located in the engine and its job is to determine the position and/or rotational speed (RPM) of the crank. The sensor uses a magnet and a Hall effect sensor to do this. The Hall effect sensor is a semiconductor device that produces an output voltage in response to a magnetic field. The sensor converts the magnetic field created by the magnet into an engine RPM signal. The magnetic sensor is mounted to the engine block and the Hall effect sensor is mounted to the engine head.
What are the most common types of sensor failure in a crankshaft position sensor?
Crankshaft position sensors are what they sound like. They determine the position and/or rotational speed (RPM) of the crank. They are used in critical functions such as the timing of the engine. There are multiple ways that crankshaft position sensors can fail. Perhaps the most common is because of the installation of the sensor. If the sensor is not installed correctly, then it won’t perform well or at all. The next biggest failure is that the sensor itself becomes faulty.
Worn-out sensors will not be able to properly detect the position or rotational speed of the engine or crankshaft. The final most common failure is that the wiring becomes damaged or faulty. If the wiring of the sensor is damaged, then it is not able to deliver a signal back to the engine control module (ECM). Crankshaft position sensors can fail and give erroneous signals for a variety of reasons. Now buy your automobile accessories easily online on SuncentAuto with free shipping.
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How can you tell if your engine is misfiring?
When a car engine has a misfire, it will run rough and the vehicle will likely not move very well. The engine might be difficult to start, and if it does start, it might stall if the driver tries to put the vehicle into drive or reverse. The engine could also make a knocking noise, which may be a sign of a bad piston or valve.
These include Physical damage to the sensor such as exposure to excessive heat or impact with another part, wiring problems, and electronic failure such as a bad circuit board. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and some diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) after treatment systems rely on the position sensor to operate properly. Therefore, if the sensor fails, the engine may not start or run properly.
