[Aerosly]

Just curious before I go on a wild goose chase.

I am very, very green to mechanical work. The more I read, though, the more it sounds like a CPS takes the place of a distributor. If my 2.3L non-turbo has a distributor, does it also have a CPS? Wouldn't that be redundant?

 

[939000cse]

Yes it does...

The CPS or Crankshaft Position Sensor is easy to confuse with a Cam Shaft Position sensor...

The Crankshaft Sensor is on the bottom of the motor.

 

[Gunnar]

The more I read, though, the more it sounds like a CPS takes the place of a distributor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crankshaft_position_sensor

Wikipedia is your friend.

 

[earthworm]

Just curious before I go on a wild goose chase.

I am very, very green to mechanical work. The more I read, though, the more it sounds like a CPS takes the place of a distributor. If my 2.3L non-turbo has a distributor, does it also have a CPS? Wouldn't that be redundant?

No CPS replaces any distributer, at least with Saab and others, I am sure..
The CPS works on engine crankshaft RPMs; the distributer "reads" camshaft revolutions.
Do some Wikipediaing. I did not know about Gunnars post; this is quite the coincidence...lol...lol..
Also, as I can be obtuse, I think there is a difference in the engine operating systems between the DIC and the distributer, that the CPS has a different role to play...

 

[Aerosly]

Thank you all so very much. Sorry for all the dumb questions; I'm just finding my way. ;oops:

 

[Gunnar]

Also, as I can be obtuse, I think there is a difference in the engine operating systems between the DIC and the distributer, that the CPS has a different role to play...

I'm pretty sure the DIC uses a more electronically controlled ignition control system while the distributor is the tried and trusty mechanical ignition system.

 

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

I'm pretty sure the DIC uses a more electronically controlled ignition control system while the distributor is the tried and trusty mechanical ignition system.

That's why there is no way to mechanically adjust our distributor; it's done automatically. The DIC, on the other hand can reduce the timing (3 degrees IIRC) if pinging is detected in a particular cylinder... Ron