If a technician suspects a faulty camshaft sensor with a three-wire connector, what type of sensor is it likely to be?

A camshaft sensor with a three-wire connector is likely to be a Hall effect type sensor. Hall effect sensors use a magnetic field to detect the position of the camshaft. These sensors typically require three wires for operation: one wire for power, one for ground, and one for the signal output. The signal wire transmits a digital signal indicating the camshaft's rotational position to the engine control unit.

Inductive sensors, in contrast, typically produce an analog voltage signal based on the position of a rotating ferrous object and usually do not rely on three wires. Piezoresistive sensors are often used for measuring pressure and may not generally be applicable in this context. Optical sensors utilize light and are also not common for camshaft position sensing. Therefore, the characteristics of the three-wire connector align closely with the functionality and design of a Hall effect sensor, making it the correct choice in this scenario.