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Crankshaft position sensor: how it works, symptoms,

problems, testing
Updated December 04, 2018

The crankshaft position sensor measures

the rotation speed (RPMs) and the precise
position of the engine crankshaft. Without a
crankshaft position sensor the engine
wouldn't start. In some cars, the sensor is
installed close to the main pulley (harmonic
balancer) like in this Ford in the photo. In
other cars, the sensor could be installed at
Ford Crankshaft position sensor (CKP) the transmission bell housing, or in the
engine cylinder block, as in the photo
below. In the technical literature, the crankshaft position sensor is abbreviated to
CKP.

How the crankshaft position sensor works

The crankshaft position sensor is positioned so that teeth on the reluctor ring
attached to the crankshaft pass close to the sensor tip. The reluctor ring has one
or more teeth missing to provide the engine computer (PCM) with the reference
point to the crankshaft position.

As the crankshaft rotates, the sensor

produces a pulsed voltage signal, where
each pulse corresponds to the tooth on the
reluctor ring. The photo below shows the
actual signal from the crankshaft position
sensor with the engine idling. In this vehicle,
the reluctor ring is made with two missing
In this GM engine, the crankshaft
teeth, as you can notice on the graph.
position
sensor is installed at the cylinder block
The PCM uses the signal from the
crankshaft position sensor to determine at what time to produce the spark and in
which cylinder. The signal from the crankshaft position is also used to monitor if
any of the cylinders misfires. If the signal
from the sensor is missing, there will be no
spark and fuel injectors won't operate.

The two most common types are the

Crankshaft position sensor signal on the
oscilloscope screen. magnetic sensors with a pick-up coil that
produce A/C voltage and the Hall-effect
sensors that produce a digital square wave signal as in the photo above. Modern
cars use the Hall-effect sensors. A pick-up coil type sensor has a two-pin
connector. The Hall-effect sensor has a three-pin connector (reference voltage,
ground and signal).

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Symptoms of a failing crankshaft position sensor

A failing sensor can cause intermittent problems: a car may cut out or stall
randomly, but then restart with no problems. The engine might have troubles
starting in wet weather, but starts OK after. Sometimes you might see the RPM
gauge behaving erratically. In some cases, a failing sensor can cause long crank
time before the engine starts. If the sensor is bad, the engine will crank but won't
start. Read more: Why an engine cranks but won't start: common problems.

Crankshaft position sensor problems

The most common OBDII code related to
the crankshaft position sensor is P0335 -
Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit. In
some cars (e.g. Mercedes-Benz, Nissan,
Chevy, Hyundai, Kia) this code is often
caused by a failed sensor itself, although
there could be other reasons, such as
wiring or connector issues, damaged
reluctor ring, etc.
Crankshaft position sensor

In some cars, the intermittent stalling can

also be caused by a problem with the crankshaft position sensor wiring. For
example, if if the sensor wires are not secured properly, they could rub against
some metal part and short out, which can cause intermittent stalling.

The Chrysler bulletin 09-004-07 describes a problem with some 2005-2007

Jeep and Chrysler models where a failed crankshaft position sensor can cause a
no-start problem. The sensor will need to be replaced with an updated part to
correct the problem.

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Another Chrysler bulletin 18-024-
10 for some 2008-2010 Chrysler,
Dodge and Jeep vehicles mentions
a problem where the code P0339 -
Crankshaft Position Sensor
Intermittent can be caused by
improper gap or a bad flexplate.

Failures of the crankshaft position

OPEN sensor were common in some 90's
GM cars. One of the symptoms
was stalling when the engine is
hot. Replacing the crankshaft position sensor usually solved the problem.

How the crankshaft position sensor is tested

Whenever there is a suspicion that the problem might be caused by a crankshaft
position sensor or if there is a related trouble code, the sensor must be visually
inspected for cracks, loose or corroded connector pins or other obvious damage.
The proper gap between the tip of the sensor and the reluctor ring is also very
important.

The correct testing procedure can be found in the service manual. We posted
several links where you can access a service manual for a subscription fee at the
bottom of this article.

For the pick-up coil type sensors, the testing procedure includes checking the
resistance. For example, for the 2008 Ford
Escape, the resistance of the crankshaft
position sensor (CKP) should be between
250-1,000 ohms, according to Autozone.
We measured 285.6 ohms (in the photo)
which is within specifications. If the
resistance is lower or higher than specified,
the sensor must be replaced.

The resistance of this crankshaft

For the Hall-type sensors, the reference position sensor from
voltage (typically +5V) and the ground the 2008 Ford Escape measures at 285.6
ohms,
signal must be tested. The most accurate which is within specifications
way to test a crankshaft position sensor is
checking the sensor signal with an oscilloscope.

Sometimes, the sensor may have an intermittent fault that is not present during
testing. In this case checking for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and
researching common problems may help.
The crankshaft position sensor can be
checked with a scan tool. It shows the
sensor signal as "Engine RPM" or "Engine
speed." When this could be helpful? If a car
stalls intermittently, monitoring the sensor
signal can provide the answer: if the sensor
signal suddenly drops to zero, and then
comes back it means either there is a
Signal from the crankshaft position problem inside the sensor or with the
sensor is sensor wiring or connector.
represented as "Engine RPM" in an
OBDII scan tool.
If the sensor works properly, the RPM signal
should drop or rise gradually. as in this photo. We have tested the crankshaft
position sensor in this car with an OBDII "Torque" app on the mobile phone.

Crankshaft sensor replacement

Replacing a crankshaft position sensor is not very expensive. The part costs from
$35 to $115 plus $55-$130 for the labor. It's best to use an OEM part. In most
cars it's fairly easy to replace, although sometimes the sensor could be difficult
to remove due to corrosion. See these Youtube videos for more info. When
replacing a crankshaft position sensor, it's important to verify the proper gap
between the sensor and the reluctor ring teeth.

Read Next:
What causes an engine to misfire
Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF): how it works, symptoms, problems,
testing
Check Engine light: what to check, common problems, repair
options
Why a car won't start troubleshooting tips
Why an engine cranks but won't start: common problems
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