Chrysler 1998 Voyager, Service Manual, Page: 1330 / 1938

The crankshaft position sensor is located in the
transaxle housing, above the vehicle speed sensor
(Fig. 10). The bottom of the sensor is positioned next
to the drive plate. The distance between the bot-
tom of sensor and the drive plate is critical to
the operation of the system. When servicing the
crankshaft position sensor, refer to the appro-
priate Multi-Port Fuel Injection Service Proce-
dures section in this Group.
2.4L
The second crankshaft counterweight has
machined into it two sets of four timing reference
notches and a 60 degree signature notch (Fig. 11).
From the crankshaft position sensor input the PCM
determines engine speed and crankshaft angle (posi-
tion).
The notches generate pulses from high to low in
the crankshaft position sensor output voltage. When
a metal portion of the counterweight aligns with the
crankshaft position sensor, the sensor output voltage
goes low (less than 0.3 volts). When a notch aligns
with the sensor, voltage spikes high (5.0 volts). As a
group of notches pass under the sensor, the output
voltage switches from low (metal) to high (notch)
then back to low.
If available, an oscilloscope can display the square
wave patterns of each voltage pulse. From the width
of the output voltage pulses, the PCM calculates
engine speed. The width of the pulses represent the
amount of time the output voltage stays high before
switching back to low. The period of time the sensor
output voltage stays high before switching back to
low is referred to as pulse width. The faster the
engine is operating, the smaller the pulse width on
the oscilloscope.
By counting the pulses and referencing the pulse
from the 60 degree signature notch, the PCM calcu-
lates crankshaft angle (position). In each group of
timing reference notches, the first notch represents
69 degrees before top dead center (BTDC). The sec-
ond notch represents 49 degrees BTDC. The third
notch represents 29 degrees. The last notch in each
set represents 9 degrees before top dead center
(TDC).
The timing reference notches are machined to a
uniform width representing 13.6 degrees of crank-
shaft rotation. From the voltage pulse width the
PCM tells the difference between the timing refer-
ence notches and the 60 degree signature notch. The
60 degree signature notch produces a longer pulse
width than the smaller timing reference notches. If
the camshaft position sensor input switches from
high to low when the 60 degree signature notch
passes under the crankshaft position sensor, the
PCM knows cylinder number one is the next cylinder
at TDC.
The crankshaft position sensor mounts to the
engine block behind the generator, just above the oil
filter (Fig. 12).
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR—PCM
INPUT
The engine coolant temperature sensor is a vari-
able resistor with a range of -40°C to 129°C (-40°F to
265°F).
The engine coolant temperature sensor provides an
input voltage to the PCM. As coolant temperature
varies, the sensor resistance changes resulting in a
different input voltage to the PCM.
When the engine is cold, the PCM will demand
slightly richer air/fuel mixtures and higher idle
speeds until normal operating temperatures are
reached.
The engine coolant sensor is also used for cooling
fan control.
Fig. 10 Crankshaft Position Sensor Location—3.0/
3.3/3.8L
Fig. 11 Timing Reference Notches
14 - 36 FUEL SYSTEM
NS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)