- Is part of the ignition system
- Determines where the engine's pistons are during combustion events
- Signals when to ignite spark and inject fuel in internal combustion engines
- Sends pulses/signal to the Engine Control Module (ECM) to maintain fuel injector and timing
- Typically contains permanent magnets, a stator (metal cylinder that surrounds one end of the crankshaft), reluctor rings and a connector
- When a reluctor tooth passes by, changes occur in the magnetic field
- This produces an induced signal in the stator
- These changes tell the PCM/ECM to send a spark/timing command via electronic components
- Typically, 30-tooth or 60-tooth reluctor wheels work at about 4 volts; as low as .5 volts might mean a malfunction.
