
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.Raise and support the vehicle. .
- Remove the crankshaft harmonic balancer. Disconnect the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor electrical connector.
- Remove the CKP sensor shield (1). DO NOT use a pry bar.
- Remove the CKP sensor studs.
- Remove the CKP sensor.
Full Answer
What are the signs of a bad crankshaft sensor?
Top 5 Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor Symptoms
- Irregular Stalling. The crankshaft position sensor is comprised of numerous wires which run to the engine control module and crankshaft.
- Difficult Starting Vehicle. When you have a faulty or damaged crankshaft position sensor, one of the first things you’ll notice is that your vehicle will be difficult to start.
- Engine Vibration. ...
What does a bad crank position sensor do?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Crankshaft Position Sensor
- Issues Starting the Vehicle. The most common symptom associated with a bad or failing crankshaft position sensor is difficulty starting the vehicle.
- Intermittent Stalling. Another symptom commonly associated with a problematic crankshaft position sensor is intermittent stalling.
- Check Engine Light Comes On. ...
- Uneven Acceleration. ...
How to replace a crankshaft position sensor?
Ⅴ How to Replace a Crankshaft Position Sensor. Step1 Disconnect the Battery. It's a good idea to disconnect the battery whenever you're working on the engine's inner workings to avoid a short ... Step2 Clear Access to the Sensor. This crank sensor is located behind the starter motor, which must be ...
How do you replace a crankshaft sensor?
Removing the Crankshaft Sensor
- Open the hood and disconnect the black (ground) battery cable using a wrench.
- Remove the drive belt following the specific instructions in your car owner's manual. On some Buick Century models you do not need to remove the drive belt.
- Loosen the front passenger-side wheel lugs using a lug wrench.

What happens if a crankshaft sensor breaks?
Engine Misfires or Vibrates A failing crankshaft position sensor cannot provide the right information about piston positioning in the engine, causing a cylinder to misfire. This could also occur from faulty spark plug timing, but if the spark plug checks out, then the crankshaft sensor is likely the source.
How do you get a stuck camshaft sensor off?
0:080:56Cam sensor stuck in motor or VSS stuck in trans - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd uh eventually it'll break free with your other hand try to put a little pressure going backwardsMoreAnd uh eventually it'll break free with your other hand try to put a little pressure going backwards just slight pressure a lot of times you'll try to use screwdrivers and pry these sensors out.
What causes a crankshaft sensor to break?
There are a few things that can cause the crankshaft position sensor to fail, including damage, debris and faulty circuitry. Even for modern electronics, the engine is a violent and destructive environment. Though built for this, most sensors eventually succumb to the ever-present heat and vibrations of the engine.
Can an engine run without a crankshaft position sensor?
The crankshaft position sensor is the most important of all engine management sensors, and the engine will absolutely not run without it.
How do you reset a camshaft position sensor?
Unfortunately, there's no way to reset a camshaft position sensor. If you're having camshaft issues (check engine light on, acceleration trouble, sputtering and stalling, etc.), you'll have to replace the part entirely.
What do you do after replacing camshaft sensor?
After changing the sensor remember to cancel the error codes stored in the engine controller after the failure by means of a diagnostic scanner. If fitted properly, a new sensor should restore correct operation of the engine. The sensor itself is not repairable and cannot be reused in the event of a failure.
How do I know if my crankshaft sensor is broken?
5 Signs of a Failing Crank SensorCrank Sensor Problems Could Make it Hard to Start Car. One sign that your crankshaft sensor might be failing is if you find it hard to start your vehicle. ... Engine Vibration Issues. ... Fuel Economy Slippage. ... Uneven Acceleration. ... Check Engine Light On.
Are there 2 crankshaft sensors?
There are two basic types of crankshaft position sensors: Magnetic Field (Variable Reluctance) and Hall Effect (Figure 1).
Will a car run without a camshaft position sensor?
Yes it can. If the computer is not getting a signal from the cam shaft sensor (or crankshaft sensor), it will not start as a broken cam bolt/gear could be the cause for the loss of signal, so will not allow the vehicle to start so you do not damage the engine.
What happens if you don't relearn crankshaft position sensor?
Failure to do such will result in over revving of the engine, causing possible engine damage.
Can you drive with camshaft sensor unplugged?
Yes. You can just unplug it. Car will run fine, but will require multiple tries to start.
What sensors can cause a car not to start?
The most common sensors that will stop your car from starting include the camshaft sensor, the crankshaft sensor, the mass air flow (MAF) sensor, the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor and the throttle position sensor.
Why does my crankshaft position sensor keep going bad?
If there are issues with the vehicle's internal wiring, the crank sensor has the potential to go bad. From damaged wires to worn out wires and even loose wires, even the slightest issue has the potential to hinder crank sensor functionality. Furthermore, faulty voltage can also compromise the crank sensor.
How much does it cost to fix a crankshaft sensor?
Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement Cost - RepairPal Estimate. The average cost for crankshaft position sensor replacement is between $175 and $230. Labor costs are estimated between $93 and $117 while parts are priced between $82 and $113.
Can a crankshaft sensor cause transmission problems?
A faulty crankshaft sensor is also used by the transmission as an input shaft speed sensor for the transmission to shift correctly. The sensor may affect shifting and also the way the engine runs. Your engine may also have went into failure mode if the crankshaft sensor is failing.
Why is my new crankshaft position sensor not working?
There are two potential culprits: the camshaft position sensor was incorrectly installed or the installation led to another issue in the engine. If the new camshaft position sensor is not working, your car's systems are not receiving the necessary engine information to keep your car running.
1 Answer
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Marvin
An expert who has finished #1 on the weekly Top 10 Fixya Experts Leaderboard.
When did GM start using crank sensors?
The crank sensors that go into the engine blocks are a PITA when they break off. GM started using these direct read crank sensor in 1987 on the 2.8L V6.
Can you slide a Chrysler crank sensor in a window?
At least with the trans mounted Chrysler crank sensor you can slide it in a bit further when lined up with a window in the flexplate, which will make it easier to clean up the bore before trying to extract it. On the direct read sensors if you push the sensor in it bottoms out on the crank since the windows are smaller.
How to remove crankshaft position sensor?
Jack the vehicle up high enough to obtain access to the crankshaft position sensor. Secure the vehicle in this position using jack stands. Step 2: Disconnect the electrical connector. Unplug the sensor’s electrical connector from the engine wiring harness. Step 3: Locate and remove the crankshaft position sensor.
How to remove sensor from engine?
Gently but firmly, twist and pull the sensor to remove it from the engine.
How does a car's computer determine where the top dead center is?
Your vehicle’s computer uses input from the crank position sensor to determine where in the rotation top dead center is located. Once it finds top dead center, the computer counts the number of teeth on what is called a tone wheel to calculate engine speed and to know when exactly to fire the fuel injectors and ignition coils.
Where is the crankshaft position sensor located?
Though on most vehicles the sensor is located at the front of the engine near the crankshaft pulley, there are many different engine designs, so please refer to your vehicle’s factory service manual for detailed instructions on where ...
Can you replace a crankshaft sensor?
By following the guidelines above, you will be able to successfully replace a faulty crankshaft position sensor. However, if you are not comfortable doing the work yourself, a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, can complete the crankshaft position sensor replacement for you.
