A method for determining the phase position with a 4-stroke internal combustion engine

Disclosed are methods to determine the phase angle of a four stroke internal combustion engine with an odd number of cylinders and without a camshaft detector. According to said methods, recognition of phase angle occurs by emission of a first signal from a crankshaft angle sensor presenting a singularity whereby said signal is placed in relation to a second signal, which is for example a speed signal or an output signal of an inlet-manifold air-pressure sensor and the shape of the second signal is evaluated in the range of singularity of the first signal. As this signal shape is variable according to whether the crankshaft is in first or second revolution, the phase angle can be determined precisely.