Two crankshaft position sensors?

Tiny
TONDA BOWMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
I need to know the location and if there are two crankshaft position sensors on my car listed above.
Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 8:14 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

The vehicle will have one sensor. However, there are two variations for location. One is on the side of the engine and the other is on the front behind the crankshaft position sensor.

You will need to check your vehicle to see which one you have.

To get you started, here is a link that shows in general how one is replaced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Next, if you look at the attachments below, I've included the directions and pictures for both.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2021 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
TONDA BOWMAN
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I have another question relating to the Pontiac Grand Prix 2003 I cannot get the crankshaft balancer bolt out I've tried an impact wrench I have tried a breaker bars I've tried everything I've broken sockets are broken bent 2 bolts. Please if you have any ideas let me know I don't know what to do with it
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

The impact wrench should have taken it off for you. What kind of impact are you using? Is it battery-operated, electric, or pneumatic?

I attached the directions below specific to removal. It is a straightforward procedure.

Which bolts bent? You mentioned there are two.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
TONDA BOWMAN
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The bolts that bent where the ones that are put in to keep the pully from spinning. And it was a pneumatic wrench you know and air tool. That was after the impact wrench didn't work we tried breaker bars 6 point sockets and the bolts to keep the pully from moving.
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 AT 11:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The only other thing I can suggest is to put a good wrench on it and smack the wrench a few times with a heavy hammer. That will often break them loose.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
TONDA BOWMAN
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Thank you for all your help.
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

First, you are very welcome. Were you able to remove it?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
TONDA BOWMAN
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Yes, we finally found a airgun with enough umph break it loose.
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

That's good news. Is it now repaired and running? Sorry for the questions. I'm just interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, May 7th, 2021 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
TONDA BOWMAN
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Yes, we changed the crankshaft sensor and everything works fine, but I still have the original problem with the car stalling while I'm driving down the road intermittently.
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Sunday, July 11th, 2021 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

When not stalling, does it seem to run normally? When driving and it happens, does it seem like there is something you do or something that seems to repeat itself before stalling? Have you checked fuel pressure to make sure it isn't a fuel pump issue? Also, does it happen when your foot is on the throttle driving or when coming to a stop?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, July 11th, 2021 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
TONDA BOWMAN
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It runs wonderful until it doesn't, it just stops while my foot is on the accelerator. There is no pattern or anything that I do the same every time, it can be immediately within a block or it can take a month before it does it again. After it shuts off I can't start it for at least 45 minutes and then it's just fine. They have changed the throttle position sensor, the crankshaft position sensor, the mass air flow sensor, and the air cleaner and throttle body has been cleaned. I'm at a pause I don't know what to do except check all the wiring that will be next.
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Sunday, July 11th, 2021 AT 9:59 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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What needs to be done is this. When it stalls and you have to wait 45 minutes for it to restart, spark and fuel need to be check. I suspect you have a tachometer in the vehicle. When this happens, watch the tach to see if it moves when cranking. If it doesn't, either you got a bad crank sensor or there is a wiring issue to it.

If it does move, keep a bottle of starting fluid with you. See if it starts with starting fluid and then stalls. If that happens, then we know it's fuel-related.

Here are two links that show how to perform the procedures in a different manner. I'm just trying to make it as easy as possible.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

One of these things will likely be the issue. We first need to determine which and then focus on that circuit.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, July 12th, 2021 AT 8:14 PM

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