How to replace a crank sensor

[Elrodd384]

Awesome write-up Bill! I couldn't believe the damn problems my car was having when this thing went out =( I wish this thread had been here when I needed it 5 Stars!

[1fastam]

yeah great write up mine took a crap on me. only thing different on mine was one of the holes didn't line up so just used two bolts,worked fine though,jimmy

[Wraith888]

So one year later and I'm seeing the same exact issue. Is it possible it failed since we just got super cold temps and snow here in MN? Or is it possible the sensor failed after a year without issue?

[BillBoost37]

Parts go bad, it is possible....

[andesmint]

Thanks for this write up bill. The info you provided for the bolts needed to pull the balancer came in handy when I was doing my topswap. Oh, and for some reason not even my Mac impact could get the crank bolt out... so I borrowed a 1" impact from the truck center I work at and buzzed it right out haha.

[Wraith888]

andesmint, I actually bought an impact wrench for this job, and found it wasn't equal to the task, so I bought a different one and that made a difference. I also found that the air compressor I had wasn't up to the task, so I borrowed one from my father-in-law to get enough power.

[REDCRAPGP]

^ a good impact is needed and of course you need a big enough air tank.. Most of us will just attach a pair of vice grips to the flexplate and then take a long extension and breaker bar on the crank bolt and unless some weight on it to crack it lose.


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[BillBoost37]

Big enough tank isn't always the answer. Pressure makes a difference. I found that I could gun a lot more stuff off at my buddies shop than at my house. Simply put.. 150psi vs 120psi. When I got the chance, I snagged a compressor with 150psi. Very few things can overcome a good impact on 150psi.

[andesmint]

Yeah mine goes up to 175 psi. I tried 150 and it didn't work. So after that and breaking a breaker bar I said F it and got the big gun lol

[Wraith888]

Bill pointed out last year I could have used the flexplate trick to get this off.....but that wouldn't have given me the excuse to get the compressor and impact wrench! Taking off tires is so much better with air tools!

I'm in MN so it's been cold and I haven't wanted to replace the sensor (as I mentioned earlier in this thread it seems like I'm seeing it go bad again) but what's interesting is that when it's warmer (say about 20 degrees F or more) it seems like the sensor works. When it gets closer to zero degrees, the ABS lights and traction control off lights seem to come on more often.

I did call Autozone and I've got a lifetime warranty on the part, so I could swap it out, I just haven't wanted to take the time to do it yet.

[BillBoost37]

You know.. with air tools and having the bolts for the balancer removal tool on hand. If it takes you more than 15min, you should be ashamed

[Joshua04091985]

Awesome info thanks