Last updated on June 28th, 2023 at 07:58 am

What causes crankshaft sensor to go bad and what are the cost and common signs and symptoms of a bad crankshaft position sensor? lets find out.

Are noticing some sort of few issues with your car and then you are wondering if it is a crankshaft-related problem? Well in this post we are going to consider some of the common bad crankshaft position sensor symptoms. And also we will talk about what does crankshaft position sensor do with some common question relating to the crankshaft.

There is no modern vehicle that is not built with a crankshaft position sensor. It is a management component that is in charge of monitoring the position and rotational speeds of the crankshaft.

Once it begins to monitor, the sensor then forwards the details to the ECU (Engine control unit) so that it will make the right adjustments based on different conditions.

When calculating engine management, the speed and position of the crankshaft are part of the most important things.

Once there is any fault with the crankshaft position sensor, many engines will not be able to run properly.

There are two common things that could cause a problem to the sensor. Damaged or worn-out wires can be an obstruction to the signals that the crankshaft sensor is transferring.

This can affect the crankshaft sensor. Overheating of the engine is another common thing that can cause a problem to the sensor.

When the vehicle’s engine is building lots of heat, it could melt the sensor’s plastic housing and damage it.

If you notice that your crankshaft sensor is faulty, it is advisable you quit driving it immediately, as it can cause to more damages.

This post is going to list some of the symptoms of a faulty crankshaft sensor.

Here are the two main we will focus on:

Bad crankshaft position sensor symptoms
what does crankshaft position sensor do

What Does the Crankshaft Position Sensor Do?

The CPS or CKP (crankshaft position sensor) is among the important sensors in a vehicle. It is responsible for the smooth running of the engine.

It is also responsible for measuring the rotational speed and position of the crankshaft. In addition to that, it passes information to the car’s computer.

The information sent will be used by the engine control unit to control other systems such as the fuel ignition and ignition timer.

The crankshaft sensor must be in the right position for the engine of the vehicle to run smoothly.

A faulty crankshaft sensor can affect the vehicle’s engine greatly and cause a decline in its performance.

This sensor can be found in different places in a vehicle, depending on its make and model. It is usually found close to the crankshaft which is just on, under the front of the engine.

You can locate it just mounted beside the timing cover, or at the rear side of the engine. In some cars, it is located at the transmission bell housing.

How does the crankshaft sensor work?

The crankshaft gear’s teeth rotate at a certain distance from the device. This creates a magnetic field that stimulates at the end the sensor. This allows for interpretation of the crankshaft’s orientation in the system as well as its speed. These data are then transmitted to the computer for calculation of the fuel injection timings and ignition timings.

These sensors monitor the crankshaft gears closely and generate an AC voltage that is transmitted to the engine control module via a wiring harness connector.

What causes crankshaft sensor to go bad

There are many reasons why the crankshaft position sensor may be malfunctioning. Two common causes are:

1. Overheating Engine. Excessive heat buildup in the engine can cause damage to the crankshaft sensor by melting the plastic cover.

2. Circuitry problems. A problem with the crankshaft sensor can be caused by faulty voltage, loose, worn-out, or damaged wiring.

A failing crankshaft position sensor could make driving difficult or even dangerous. This could cause long-term damage to the vehicle, expensive repairs, or even prevent it from starting at all. Let’s look at the symptoms of a bad crankshaft sensor.

signs and symptoms of a bad crankshaft position

Here are some of the common bad crankshaft position sensor symptoms. The crankshaft sensor has been one of the most important sensors in a vehicle that determines its performance.

It is necessary to always be on the lookout for signs that the sensor is going bad. When you notice the symptoms below, you can take your vehicle in for professional assessment.

Difficulty in Starting

One of the most common signs of a faulty crankshaft position sensor is that you will begin to encounter great difficulty, when starting your car.

This sensor is in charge of monitoring some of the components that play some roles in starting the engine of a car.

A crankshaft that has failed will cease to pass information to the ECU. It might be hard to start your car without the right timing and fuel.

The car’s computer will not transfer any fuel and this will make it hard to start the engine.

Once you notice that it is becoming harder to start your car, it may be a symptom that the sensor is having issues and needs to be fixed as fast as possible.

Triggering the Check engine light

The check engine light is a feature in a car which signals whenever there is an issue with any component.

Once the car’s computer finds out that the crankshaft signal is faulty, it will activate the check engine light.

To be certain whether the problem is coming from the check engine light or not, you need to read the codes, using a scanner.

The sensor is one of the components of a car that is critical to the proper functioning of the engine. If it has any problem, it can affect the functionalities of the vehicle.

Neglecting this problem can cause a bigger damage which could cost you greatly. So, once you suspect there is problem with your crankshaft sensor, you need to fix it immediately.

Cylinder Misfiring

Another symptom that the crankshaft sensor is getting damaged is misfiring of one of the cylinders.

A sensor that is faulty cannot give the correct piston position, thereby causing misfiring in most cases.

This will affect the car’s engine greatly and cause one of its cylinders to misfire.

Vibrating Engine

Whenever you start experiencing rough idling, it is also a sign that the crankshaft position is faulty. When you are idling, the engine will start vibrating excessively.

This means that the sensor is not monitoring properly, and as a result, it’s affecting the power of the engine.

Vibration of engine can also affect the gas mileage records greatly. Once you notice any unusual vibration of the engine, it is time took your vehicle to the mechanic for diagnosis.

Problems starting the vehicle

Problems starting the vehicle are the most common sign of a failing or bad crankshaft position sensor. The crankshaft position sensor is responsible for monitoring the speed and position of the crankshaft and other parameters that are important when the engine starts. The crankshaft position sensor may malfunction, causing intermittent or even complete failure of the engine to start.

Engine Stalling

A lack of fuel pressure, or decreased airflow can cause unexpected stalling. Your vehicle could suddenly stop in the middle or come to a complete stop. This could indicate a problem with your crankshaft position sensor.

To calculate fuel injection, the ECU must receive consistent and accurate data from the crankshaft position sensor.Sometimes, the vehicle can stall if the crankshaft position sensor’s data does not reach its engine computer.

A broken path could also cause this. Because the device is connected via a wiring harness, usually, any dirt or obstructions built up over time in the sensor could also cause data transmission problems.

Make sure your engine light is on

An illuminated Check Engine Light is another sign of a problem with the crankshaft positioning sensor. The computer will light the Check Engine Light to notify the driver if it detects an issue with the crankshaft position sensor signal. You can also set the Check Engine Light off due to a variety of other problems. It is highly recommended that the computer be scanned for trouble codes.

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Uneven Acceleration

If the crankshaft position sensor is inaccurate, the engine control unit cannot adjust spark timing or fuel injection. This can lead to slow acceleration. Inaccuracy can cause slow or uneven acceleration, making it challenging to maintain a constant speed. Engine Misfires and Vibrates

If you feel or hear a stuttering sound in your engine, this could be caused by a defective crankshaft position sensor. A bad crankshaft position sensor can’t provide accurate information about the piston placement in the engine. This causes a cylinder not to fire. It could also be caused by faulty spark plug timing. However, if the sparkplug is in good condition, then; the crankshaft position sensor may be the cause.

Rough Idle & amp or Vibrating Motor

Rough idle is another sign that your crankshaft position sensor is failing. You may also notice engine vibrations or grinding while idling at red lights or other stops. This is a sign that the sensor isn’t monitoring the crankshaft’s position. It can cause vibrations that affect engine power. This can also affect the engine’s ability to track mileage. A mechanic should inspect any vibrations that are not normal.

Problems with Acceleration

When your acceleration develops some problems, it is a symptom of a faulty sensor as well.

Since the crankshaft position sensor is not generating the correct input, the ECU will be unable to make the correct adjustments to the fuel injection and spark timing once the engine is on high speed.

It will be quite difficult to maintain a stable speed, due to inaccuracy.

Reduction in Gas Mileage

When the crankshaft position sensor is not generating the correct and proper timing, the fuel injectors will not generate fuel efficiently into the engine.

This will cause a bad gas lineage as the engine will begin to use lots of gas, whether on short or long driving.

Once you notice your fuel economy is declining, you need to find a solution to it as quickly as possible.

crankshaft position sensor replacement cost

On average, a replacement cost for a crankshaft position sensor is between $120 and $300. The part will cost approximately $75 to $120, while labor costs will run between $45 and $180.

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Conclusion

I hope we answer to your satisfaction the question what does crankshaft position sensor do? The symptoms mentioned in this post do not only point to faulty or damaged crankshaft position sensor they could also be signs of fault with other sensor or components.

This is why you need to get it checked as fast as possible, whenever you start to notice these symptoms.

The crankshaft sensor contributes greatly to the overall functionality of a vehicle and so, should not be neglected any time you notice that there is a problem with it.

I hope this post on bad crankshaft position sensor symptoms was helpful. Please share if it helped you.