Temporary Fix for Crankshaft Position Sensor: A Full Guide

If you’re wondering about a temporary fix for crankshaft position sensor, you might have noticed the check engine light on your car’s dashboard. This, coupled with engine problems like stalling and misfiring, means that there might be something wrong with the sensor.

Not everyone can replace a crankshaft position sensor immediately, whether because of time or money, and that’s why you need a temporary fix so that your car works before a permanent repair. Learn more about how to fix the sensor urgently in this guide.

How to Make a Temporary Fix for a Crankshaft Position Sensor for Your Car?

There is no reliable temporary fix for the crankshaft position sensor, so it is best to solve the problem immediately by replacing the entire sensor. Even after using the methods below, your car will only work briefly. Keep in mind that ignoring the problem will damage your entire engine system.

Even if the best thing to do is replace it, there are a few things you can do to temporarily fix the problem before you visit the mechanic or buy a new sensor yourself. Also, don’t bother to reset the error code from the engine light because it will appear again once you solve the problem. The light might not come back on, but it does not make the problem disappear.

1. Check the Wiring

There is different wiring that connects the ECU system and battery to the wire crankshaft position sensor. If the wiring is damaged, it will cause the sensor to stop working. So, you can replace the damaged wiring with a new one, and if it works, you don’t need to get a new CKP sensor.

2. Restart the Car Engine

If you have a problem with the crankshaft sensor, you will notice problems with your engine, like grumbling or misfiring.

If the engine stops working, you should wait for the system to cool down. Then, restart the engine and try again. If it does not work, you should replace the sensor outrightly.

3. Disconnect the Crankshaft Position Sensor

Another option is to disconnect the position sensor from the sensor. If you do this, the engine will begin with a default mapping in the ECU system. You can disconnect and reconnect the sensor power plug and reset the ECU. If the problem persists, you should replace the crank sensor.

4. Fill the Fuel Tank

The engine can stop when the ECU is not supplying the cylinder of your car with the right amount of fuel. So, if you fill your fuel tank, the car will work better, but you will still need a new sensor. The fuel supply will also be much easier, and it will be easy to restart the engine with a full fuel tank.

How To Determine the Cause of a Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor?

There are two main causes of a bad crankshaft position sensor which are voltage and wiring faults – check the battery voltage, and engine overheating – check the fluids etc. It’s a good idea to check the causes and solve the problem immediately.

• Check for Wiring and Voltage Issues

The electrical system of your car can cause damage to your camshaft position sensor. You will see that the electrical system of the car takes power from the car battery.

You can check the voltage of the car battery because if there is too much current, it can burn the sensors and systems.

You should also assess the connections, wiring, and terminals that connect the sensor to other parts of the car. If there is a problem with anything, you need to replace it accordingly. Another thing to check is the fuse box of the car. The fuse system is meant to prevent overcurrent in the electrical system, so if there is a short circuit or connection problem here, it should be fixed.

• Check if Your Engine is Overheating

Another main cause of a faulty position sensor is an overheating engine. This can be because of non-efficient cooling and cooling fluid deficiency. The CKP sensor can be found on the engine block, and if the engine is overheating, it will affect the sensor and its wiring. Due to this, the engine overheating can lead to faults and problems for the sensor. So, you should check the engine and fix this problem.

How to Notice a Faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor?

There are ways to notice a faulty crankshaft position sensor in your car. Your car and engine will show you some symptoms if there is a problem with this sensor. Some of these symptoms include the check engine light coming on, the engine misfiring or shuddering among others.

• Check Engine Light

If you notice the engine warning light on the dashboard is on, and the scanner reveals a problem with the sensor, this is the most evident symptom.

The scanner might read ‘intermittent crankshaft position sensor problem, which means you should get it replaced.

• Note if the Engine is Misfiring

The camshaft position sensor needs to be connected with the valves, ignition, and injection timing, so if it fails, it can lead to the engine misfiring. Misfiring is when combustion happens too late or too early, and this will affect performance, emissions output, and fuel economy. If you leave this for too long, the sensor starts to cause engine damage.

• Note is the Engine is Shuddering

You might notice an engine shudder or engine stall if the sensor fails. If the camshaft sensor is damaged, the engine will be out of sync, shudder, stall, and shake. Mechanical vibrations are a serious problem that can cause wear and damage to your engine, so it isn’t recommended.

• Note Any Car Performance Issues

From delayed acceleration to increased fuel consumption, there are different engine performance issues that a bad sensor can cause to your car. It will not produce as much power as it is supposed to. If you leave this problem for a long time, the engine can crash.

• Listen for Weird Noises from the Engine

Due to the misfiring and engine shuddering in your car, you will notice noise coming from the engine. These include vibrations and odd sounds. If you notice this, you should check the crank sensor and make repairs or replace it immediately.

• Take Note of Poor Mileage

Another symptom of crankshaft position sensor damage is poor mileage. The mileage of your car will drop, and you will start paying more money for gas. This is because the ECU system will not be able to adjust the gasoline to run properly for the engine. If you notice that you’re suddenly spending more on gas, it might be because of the position sensor.

• Take Note if Engine Stops Randomly

If the crankshaft pulley sensor is damaged, you will notice that the acceleration of your vehicle will not be as stable as it usually is, and the engine will stop suddenly. This can be because of the unevenness between the fuel injection and engine firing. It is pretty dangerous if your car stops suddenly and can cause an accident.

How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor in Your Car?

You can replace your crankshaft position sensors by removing one bolt or screw and swapping the old one with the new one. The most difficult part of the job is to locate the sensor, as the position depends on the type of car you are driving.

It can be positioned deep inside the engine bay, around the flywheel, or between the transmission and the engine. You should read your car’s manual to find the position sensor location. It might be located close to the mass air flow sensor.

• Then, follow the steps below:

• Once you locate the faulty sensor, remove the old one from your engine. You can do so by unplugging the electrical connections that attach the battery and the ECU system to the sensor.
• You can remove it with a socket wrench which will remove the fasteners.
• After removing the old sensor, attach the new sensor by following the above steps in reverse.
• Check the manual of your car to learn how to restart the ECU system of the specific make and model.
• Test the sensor to see if it is working, and take your car for a drive.

How to Test a Crankshaft Position Sensor in Your Car?

You can test the sensor of your car with the OBD2 scanner tool, a test light, or a multimeter. It’s important to diagnose the exact problem before spending money on replacing the sensor. If you notice any of the symptoms stated earlier, test the sensor.

• Use a OBD2 Scanner Tool

The OBD2 scanner is a basic tool that can be connected to your car’s computer system. Look for the OBD2 plug in your car, which is usually under the dashboard, and plug the scanner into it. This allows it to read the error codes in your car.

With the code you have, you can check the meaning with the manual or online. If the code states ‘intermittent crankshaft position sensor problem,’ this means you should get it replaced. If the error persists, the code will read ‘constant crankshaft position sensor problem.’ Once you replace it, the code will clear, or you can reset it.

• Test with a Multimeter

You can use the multimeter to test the sensor and check if it is working or not. Follow the process below:

• Unplug the sensor from the engine.
• Open the multimeter and check the resistance measurement.
• Place the ends of the multimeter to the sensor’s wiring.
• If the reading is zero or infinite, this means that the sensor is not working. But, if the number is finite, then it is working.

You can remove the bolt from the sensor without taking the entire thing out and place the multimeter on the wiring while the engine is on. If you get 200 millivolts, you should replace the sensor.

• Use a Test Light

The test light is a tool that you can use to check if the sensor is working or not. The number of wires on the sensor, whether two or three, will determine how you test it. If it is a two-wire system,

• Follow the steps below

1. Remove the sensor from the engine.
2. Connect the test light to the positive battery terminal.
3. Turn the ignition on.
4. Tap the sensor terminals with a quick motion repeatedly.
5. If the spark plug clicks, it shows that the sensor is working.

But, if you are using a three-wire sensor, then the steps are a bit different.

1. Remove the sensor.
2. Connect the test light to the ground battery terminal.
3. Turn the ignition on.
4. Tap the middle signal terminal.
5. If it clicks, then the sensor is working.

If the spark plug clicks in both tests, then it shows that the position sensor works. If not, then you should replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions

– Can Your Engine Run Without the Crankshaft Sensor?

No, your engine cannot run without the sensor because this is one of the most important sensors managing the engine. If you remove the sensor, you have no choice but to replace it immediately, or your car will not run.

– Can You Start Car With a Faulty Crankshaft Sensor?

Yes, you can start your car with a bad sensor, but it is not advisable. It is risky and might not work. You should disconnect the broken crankshaft sensor and spray some starter fluid in the throttle body. Reconnect the sensor and crank the engine to see if it starts.

– What Will Happen If the Crankshaft Sensor Is Faulty When Driving?

If the bad crankshaft sensor is faulty while you’re driving, it can cause misfiring, or the car will stop running abruptly. If it stops in some cases, your car won’t start. Your car stopping suddenly can also lead to an accident, so check the cause before it becomes worse.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a temporary fix for crankshaft position sensor, you can follow the instructions given in the guide.

Here’s a rundown of what we covered:

• Temporary fixes for the crankshaft sensor include checking the wiring, restarting the engine, disconnecting the sensor, and filling the fuel tank.
• Causes of a bad sensor include faults with the wiring and an overheating engine which can lead to damage.
• You can notice a faulty sensor with the check engine light, engine stalling and shuddering, performance and acceleration problems, and misfiring.
• You can replace the sensor by using a wrench to remove the old one and install the new one the same way.
• Test if your sensor is damaged with an OBD2 scanner tool, multimeter, or test light.

When you notice that something is wrong with your crankshaft position sensor, you can apply a temporary fix but only for a short while. It’s important to replace it as soon as possible by yourself or with a mechanic if the replacement costs are affordable.