Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) crank sensor

[aircop]

While driving truck today it bucked 2 or 3 times in a row then ran fine other than CEL came on. Checked with Smarty got a code for crank position sensor. Cleared code no problem since truck runs fine. Going to change sensor to be on safe side, is there anything special I need to look out for or do while changing sensor.

 

[Jason Griebel]

Not hard just got to take off the starter. You'll need a 10mm 12 point socket with a wobble end extension to get the bolt out of the starter. Oh and it takes a pretty go pull to get the sensor out.

 

[DLausche]

I hope it comes out clean for you. Mine was stuck like a son of a gun. It broke into pieces and the only way to get the piece in the block out was with a dremel - grinding/drilling it away till there was basically no sensor left in the hole. I will do basically any type of work on my truck myself but after I did the crank sensor I told myself that I wish I had brought it in and let the dealer do it. You might want to check how much $ the dealer would charge and if they quote a fixed rate amount and then let them deal with this troublesome job if they give you a reasonable price.



-Deon

 

[aircop]

Did either of you guys havea intermittent problem with the sensor or did your truck just quit running.

 

[DLausche]

Did either of you guys havea intermittent problem with the sensor or did your truck just quit running.

Truck would run but in "limp" mode. I do recall that the tach would quit working when the crank sensor signal failed. It would go out for only short periods of time for about a week and then it went out for good.

 

[aircop]

Thank you very much for the info guys,you have been a big help. looks like new sensor time.

 

[Jason Griebel]

Had the same symptoms as Deon.

 

[obert]

First sensor just quit. I lost tach, but engine kept running.

Second one was intermitent (tach waved at me )



The engine will not start without the crank sensor ssignal.



If (when) it breaks, the remains can be extracted with a wood screw and seal puller, or use dikes (diagonal pliers [wire cutter?]) or "channel lock" plires to grab said screw and pry out against a small wood block placed next to sensor.



The little booger can be a pain, but I've coped with uglier problems than this... ...