Crank Shaft Position Sensor Help!

[ShaneM]

So over the course of the past week I have been attempting to change my crankshaft postion sensor. Biggest problem until today was getting a hold of a proper socket wrench. So I finally get the bolt off and pull the sensor out. So then I go to the top of the engine and try to pull the other end out. nowhere that I looked really there was any specific way to pull it out. So I figure you're just supposed to pull it out and plug the other one in.

Anyways what happened was I pulled on it and it broke, the plastic pice split at the stem. So now the three prongs and the back half of the piece are hanging out, and the front part is still stuck in there. With the stupid dipstick tube completely blocking any chance of being able to see and maneuver where the rest of it remains, I am left stumped on what to do next. I tried pulling the dipstick tube out biut with no luck.

Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated

[IndyTom]

Bummer about your sensor breaking. I hope you get it pulled out and fixed. The oil dipstick tube does just pull out but since it has been in there a long while it is probably stuck in there pretty well. Also those dipstick tubes do have the tendency of getting brittle and breaking. I usually keep a spare on hand just in case. If you try and remove yours it will most likely break. A new one is only about 3 or 4 bucks so no biggie. If it is the only way to get to the crankshaft sensor than I would remove it and hope for the best.
Sorry, that I can't be of more help.
Good Luck to you! Let us know how things work out.

Tom in Indy

[ShaneM]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Bummer about your sensor breaking. I hope you get it pulled out and fixed. The oil dipstick tube does just pull out but since it has been in there a long while it is probably stuck in there pretty well. Also those dipstick tubes do have the tendency of getting brittle and breaking. I usually keep a spare on hand just in case. If you try and remove yours it will most likely break. A new one is only about 3 or 4 bucks so no biggie. If it is the only way to get to the crankshaft sensor than I would remove it and hope for the best.
Sorry, that I can't be of more help.
Good Luck to you! Let us know how things work out.

Tom in Indy

Hey Tom, thanks for the response. Your response was help enough to get me out and give it another go, Ive got the broken end out and should have it taken care of tomorrow (have had a busy week.)

Thanks again!

[ShaneM]

So I was able to pull the rest of the sensor into the light of day and got it off with the help of needle nose pliers. Got it plugged in and had to jump it, and it was good to go

It was frustrating but well worth it

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by ShaneM

So I was able to pull the rest of the sensor into the light of day and got it off with the help of needle nose pliers. Got it plugged in and had to jump it, and it was good to go

It was frustrating but well worth it

Way to go ShaneM Glad it all worked out in the end.
Did you have to remove the Dipstick tube in order to get to the sensor? How often do those sensors go out? Just wondering if I should attempt to change mine?

[ShaneM]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Way to go ShaneM Glad it all worked out in the end.
Did you have to remove the Dipstick tube in order to get to the sensor? How often do those sensors go out? Just wondering if I should attempt to change mine?

Thanks IndyTom

This is the first one that's gone out on me but I don't know if it went out on the previous owners or not, but it seems to happen enough that the information on it was fairly easy to find. I was able to leave the dipstick tube alone. If you end up needing to replace it I can send you the links I used to figure it out. I found taking the sensor out the easiest thing which most people say is the hardest. The hardest part for me was getting the 10mm bolt removed and put back on. It's just a cramped area to try and fit a socket. I am a complete Newbie when it comes to working on cars, but everything just seemed to go wrong on my end. Most people say its like a 15-45 minute job. In the end I had probably done 3-4 hours over a span of a few days. I still figure its better than paying someone to do it, just make sure you push the tab when pulling the connector end out and it'll save you a lot of grief.