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Car Won't Start - Crank POS Sensor Fault - HELP I'M STUCK

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Old Mar 15, 2005 | 06:37 AM
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Car Won't Start - Crank POS Sensor Fault - HELP I'M STUCK

Last, as I was GOING to leave work, but my 95 SE wouldn't start. It sputtered hard but never ran. Then is wouldn't turn over at all.

Even tried to jump start it, but nothing.

At the same time, I got a 0407 ECU code (Crank Position Sensor - REF). So I pulled the wiring harness and then sensor. I check the resistance of the sensor vs. Haynes Manual and found that it was in spec (527 ohms @ 68 deg).

After doing some research in the forums, it would appear that it could be the starter b/c it's not spinning the crank enough for the sensor to find TDC of a cylinder.

Could it also be the battery? It's only 18 months old.

Anyone else run into this sort of thing???

So...maybe starter....maybe battery...maybe ????

HELP!!! I have no vehicle that runs!!!
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 07:44 AM
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The crank sensor does not have a specific resistance per temperature. Your not looking at the right sensor. Crank position POS is located under the car on the transmission bell housing. It looks at the flywheel. It's tested with voltage, (5 volts) not resistance.

Ref. Haynes manual, section 6-12.
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
The crank sensor does not have a specific resistance per temperature. Your not looking at the right sensor. Crank position POS is located under the car on the transmission bell housing. It looks at the flywheel. It's tested with voltage, (5 volts) not resistance.

Ref. Haynes manual, section 6-12.
Actually there are two crank sensors. The REF Sensor that looks at the cank pulley to determine the TDC of each cylinder and the POS Sensor that determines crank speed.

The one you mention above is the POS sensor. My code was for the REF sensor.

You are correct in that the POS sensor is a voltage test, but the REF sensor is a resistance test...per Haynes...same page you mention. Check out the middle column on that page.
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 09:41 AM
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Sorry I don't have any info to help you, but I had the same code..car would crank but not start.. I ended up buying the new sensor and then my light went away. Try cleaning the sensor. If you determine that you need a new sensor, let me know. I still have mine, brand new, in box, never used, with original receipt.
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 10:16 AM
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check both sensors, make sure harnesses are plugged in tight and clean the sensors. Happened to me once the car shifted hard and it knocked the wiring connector loose. Car shut iff right in the middle of the road. Plugged it in tight and it was A OK. Those sensore are just magnets so they shouldnt go bad. Def try cleaning them both.
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 10:36 AM
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Ruled out the battery beign a problem. (That was just for my own assurance...)

Going to tow it home tonight...Any other suggestions??
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 11:27 AM
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My car was also has the same problem the crank pulley has reached the REF Sensor which means u have to repleace this pulley with the REF Sensor . hey, ur car will start if u tried so hard
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 98MaxBoi
My car was also has the same problem the crank pulley has reached the REF Sensor which means u have to repleace this pulley with the REF Sensor . hey, ur car will start if u tried so hard
HUH??? I have no idea what you mean by this.
Old Mar 15, 2005 | 06:49 PM
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I got it started tonight by pulling it behind my wife's suburban and dropping the clutch into 2nd gear. Started right up!

Ran fine all the way home.

I think it's the starter now. Once I got it home, I couldn't get it to start. Just dead.

Well at least now I can work on it!!!
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 04:28 AM
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follow up post...

it was the starter. the old one wouldn't turn. got a new on and it fired right up
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