The crankshaft sensor, also known as the crankshaft position sensor, is responsible for communication between your engine, crankshaft, and computer.
Usually, your car is extremely unlikely to start if the sensor is bad. But is it possible to get your car started so you can at least drive it to the mechanic?
It just may be, and we’ll show you how. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about your crankshaft sensor, starting your engine, and repairing your vehicle.
If possible, get your vehicle towed to the mechanic. Starting a vehicle with a bad crankshaft sensor can be risky and it’s unlikely to work.
Disconnect the damaged sensor and try spraying a little starter fluid in the throttle body on your engine. Then, try cranking the engine to start the vehicle.
You can tell your crankshaft sensor is bad if your check engine light is on, the vehicle won’t start, or the vehicle rattles and stalls when you do get it started.
Pay a mechanic to replace your sensor if you aren’t a gearhead. The crankshaft sensor repair can be a tricky DIY job.
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- What is the crankshaft sensor?
The crankshaft sensor basically keeps your engine informed and safe.
The crankshaft sensor monitors the rotational speed and position of your crankshaft and then sends that information to your engine control unit (ECU) and powertrain control module (PCM).
Picture the sensor like a news reporter for your vehicle. It tells the engine when and why it needs to make adjustments to avoid misfiring.
If your crankshaft sensor is bad, your car usually won’t start. This is because your engine doesn’t get any information from the ECU or PCM regarding your crankshaft, so the vehicle will think there’s a transmission or fuel injection problem.
Without a working crankshaft sensor, your engine and your crankshaft are inevitably going to mismatch even if you can get your car started. This may cause a misfire or stall.
Your check engine light comes on when your ECU or PCM detect a problem with the health of the engine. A bad crankshaft sensor will send faulty readings to the engine, so your check engine light should always pop on if that sensor is bad.
Turn the vehicle off and remove the negative battery terminal. Then, locate the sensor and unplug the electrical connector. Use a wrench to remove the bolts and pull the old sensor out. Clean the area around the sensor with a dry rag and slide your new sensor into place.
Tighten the bolts, connect the electrical cord, and put the battery terminal back where it belongs.
The crankshaft position sensor is almost always located in between the transmission and the engine.
If your engine light doesn’t turn off but your symptoms all go away, you just need to reset the error codes with an OBD-2 device.
Most crankshaft position sensors look like small 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) L-shaped modules with 1-2 openings for bearings on engine.
