Crankshaft positioning sensor replacement

Tiny
JEREMY_UBER
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 176,000 MILES
I got a code saying my sensor was faulting then my car wouldn't start. So I replaced the sensor. The engine light went away and it started no problem for about 2 weeks. Then the check engine light came back on and its having problems starting again. Since I bought a cheaper sensor online, should I replace it with a better part? I took it out and cleaned it and it started again but still have the engine light on. Is there something else it could be? And do I need a mechanic?
Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 12:51 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
If the engine starts then the crank sensor is okay. However, the check engine light means we have a code and we need to scan it for codes to find out what they are. Here is a guide that will help with that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

However, if this is a crank sensor issue, this guide could help with figuring out if it is related:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Let's get the codes and go from there. Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Thursday, December 24th, 2020 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
PATACAKE
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
  • 2004 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 260,000 MILES
Could you please send me a diagram of where my crankshaft sensor is located on my car? I do thank you so much.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
This is what it looks like. I haven't found a good picture of the location, yet.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just to add.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Here you can see the wiring colors at the connector.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2003 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 10,000 MILES
Where is crank sensor location
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,052 POSTS
It should be behind the harmonic balancer in the front of the engine.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNYDER3410
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Car shutting down when hot. Code PO 335 (Crankshaft position sensor A circuit malfunction). Bought new sensor and replaced. Car would not start. Put old sensor back in. Car starts but same quitting problem. Assumed I had a bad part. Replaced part and re installed. Car still won, t start?
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
If it starts with the old part and not the new one, there has to be something different about the new sensor. Maybe you should try a different brand.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Just a thought but did new Crank sensor have a removable paper sticker on it to be removed before install?
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SKEENA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
What is the secret of getting the sensor out? I have taken out the bolt and unhooked the harness, the sensor is loose but will not come out.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
That's all there is to it, should come on out. There is recall on this vehicle about the sensor though so your local nissan dealer should replace it free of charge.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SKEENA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I called Nissan and the CSR said that recalls are VIN specific and stated that there were no recalls on my VIN.

As to the removal of the sensor, it was the O ring hanging up. Thank your for your replay.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KIMANDGAYLE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 2002 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 113,000 MILES
How many ohms should the camshaft sensor read and how many ohms should the crankshaft sensor read?
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_02sentracmps_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_02sentrackps_1.jpg

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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KIMANDGAYLE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks for the ohms and volts chart. I checked both sensors, checked out good. Fuel pressure is 59PSI. I cleaned the air intake sensor, but nothing has changed in the way it runs. Took it for a 10 mile run, when I accelerated (under a load) it would kick and buck as if I turned the key off, then back on. Probably 6 out of those 10 miles, the engine runs fine. It is as if an injector or coil is bad when it drops off, but it is like it is all of them simultaneously. At idle, it may run fine for 2 to 3 minutes, then just die. Starts right back up. I checked the wiring harness for maybe problems there, but nothing noticeable. There is no consistency to the problem, hot/cold, high/low rpm, acts the same. No codes are present, no check engine light. I have access to a snapon scan tool. Scratching my head. Would a fuel pump relay be intermittent to cause the engine just to drop off, shouldn't it slowly die if it were the relay? I am puzzled.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Try this diagnostic procedure.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_02sentrasurge_1.jpg

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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KIMANDGAYLE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I rechecked some items and checked others. Fuel pressure is 75 PSI dead headed and car running. Vacuum at manifold is 20. Checked fuel pressure regulator (working), checked for water in fuel, ran about 3 gallons out of return line while car was running. Camshaft and crankshaft sensor checked out exactly the same in ohms and volts. When it runs with out dieing, it is smooth. I am going to try and acquire the scan tool again and use it to watch each sensor voltage and action. Hopefully this will reveal something.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Did you happen to check the MAF sensor? I remembered a while back an 00 Sentra with 1.8L with somewhat similar symptoms, and the driver cleaned grease from her sensor, and the car worked great right after.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KIMANDGAYLE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Yes, cleaned an already clean MAF.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)

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