Crank no start after crank position sensor install

[R490]

Just installed a new Bosch crank position sensor.

The car now cranks and doesn't start. I did all the obvious, checked connections etc.

Any thoughts?

The only thing I thought could be the issue is that the sensor is bolted in, but isn't all the way flush with the crank case. Even with the metal spacer installed, there's still a gap.

Next step would be to put the old one back I guess, but it took forever to get the new one in.


Made in China is the old, made in Romania is the new.



I know some cars have a relearning process, but I don't think this one does.



There's also a chance I may have bumped some wiring in the main harness, since a lot of my wiring is degrading.... Fast. I have replacements but haven't done them yet.

Anybody else experienced this? To clarify, the old one did work. But I had hot start issues which prompted a replacement.

[Silverex]

Try unplugging and plugging back in connector. If that doesn’t work play around with your wires.

Mine was hit or miss if it would start but after playing around with the wires I could always get it started.

[R490]

Tried it, no dice.

Could it be that the sensor isn't seated properly, and that as a result it isn't making contact? I know its a hall effect sensor and they can be finnicky.

[Silverex]

Could def be possible if you have a gap. With spacer it should sit flush/no gap, the o ring can make it difficult to get it fully seated alil lube and a wack should be good…spit works too

[R490]

Hmmm, I’ll try getting it flush with some oil. Could such a small difference cause a no start issue you think?

[jrieder]

Make sure it's seated properly. Even a small gap will cause issues.

[R490]

That's my first order of business today, I'd say the gap between the sensor and the hole is about the thickness of maybe about the same size as 5 pieces of paper. I had a lot of trouble seating it properly with the spacer and new O-ring. Just no clearance. I was gonna take the axle shield off but don't know if that would have helped.

There is one code in the system, but my scan tool broke today so that's fun. My 02 sensor wiring disintegrated in my hand, as well as the coolant temp sensor wiring. Yay.

[Silverex]

Hmmm, I’ll try getting it flush with some oil. Could such a small difference cause a no start issue you think?

Not sure for our application but back in my Subaru days with standalone ECUs the CPS had to be spaced out perfectly or there’d be issues…1mm was enough to cause problems.

Obviously could also just be the wiring so if that’s easier than messing with the CPS I’d maybe do that first to rule it out.

Edit: 100% remove axle shield it make job a lot easier!!

[R490]

Good to know, unfortunately the wiring looks fine. The connector on the car end seems fine, but the wiring is starting to crack a little but is not compromised yet.

I'll try and jam it in after work, if that does not work I'll verify the old isn't working either

[Monty23]

Why did you change the crank sensor in the first place?

[R490]

Hard start when warm. Went through all of the other possibilities.

Took the axle shield off and I could clearly see what I was doing. All good now. Seems to have fixed my hard start issue, so far. But my hood is stuck partially latched now so that's fun.

[Silverex]

That happened to my latch to before lol.

Wanna say there’s a lock or something that makes that happen, I used a flat head to move latch back and forth and eventually it went back to normal.

[R490]

Yeah like it’s popped but I can’t open it lol

Don’t know how to fix that one either hah, I can move the grille latch even with the hood not popped too