The crankshaft position sensor is a very important part of the engine in your vehicle. The average crankshaft position sensor replacement cost is estimated to be between $194 and $258, with an average labor fee between $104 and $133 while the cost of the parts normally are between $90 and $125.
There are many variables that can inflate or deflate this replacement cost, like if you try the repair yourself, which mechanic you go to, your location, the vehicle make / model, and lastly the ingrained type of your acr.
What is the crankshaft position sensor?
The crankshaft sensor, or crankshaft position sensor, is one of the most important parts of your vehicle’s engine system and one that deals with the management of the engine quality.
This part in your vehicle monitors the position and the rotational speed of the crankshaft to help identify how fast it spins and when. Every modern car with an internal combustion engine has some form of a crankshaft position sensor.
The engine control unit utilizes the information and data that is given by the crankshaft sensor after transmission.
This transfer of information and quality of data helps to improve the efficiency of the injection timing and the ignition timing which will help make the engine more efficient, last longer and improve your vehicles engine performance.
The main components that are needed for the crankshaft position sensor to read the data accurately is based on the position and the speed of the crankshaft.
Both of these factors can give you an indication of the projected cost of replacing your crankshaft position sensor.
Where is the crankshaft position sensor located?
The crankshaft position sensor location may differ, depending on what kind of car you own, somewhat like the make, model and year, and also the engine model and manufacturer.
Typically, the crankshaft position sensor is located on the engine block, right above the water. You can often find the position sensor on the front of the engine on the timing cover.
Diagnosing the crankshaft position sensor
Before we get into the symptoms of a faulty crankshaft position sensor, there are outlines for diagnosing the problems with the crankshaft position sensor.
The outlines for diagnosing a faulty or non-working crankshaft position sensor are most useful if you approach the outlines on steps or stages.
Diagnosing the position sensor will usually be easily achieved by observing the symptoms and assessing the condition that the crankshaft position sensor is causing the problems and not in one of the many parts of the car.
You can be assured that the crankshaft position sensor is the problem that causing the trouble codes by using a tool and reading what the diagnostic trouble code is showing in your vehicle.
When the engine indicator light on your dashboard turns on, the electronic control unit has recorded a fault code.
There are numerous diagnostic codes pertaining to various problems with your car which can be read and accessed using a diagnostic scan tool.
If the code is within P0335 to P0338, the issue is related to the crankshaft position sensor directly, which will differ for how much you will pay for the overall crankshaft position sensor replacement cost.
Utilizing the diagnostic scan tool is one of the easiest ways to get the diagnosis started. Another way you can analyze the issue and resolve the problem is by checking the engine RPM.
You can use the same diagnostic scan tool for analyzing engine speed and revolutions per minute, along with the analysis of data captured and drawn upon by the crankshaft position sensor.
With the scan tool, you can start the engine and check if the reading is between 10-50 rpm. If so, then the crankshaft sensor is working properly and you do not have to be concerned with the crankshaft position sensor replacement cost.
The next part for checking for crankshaft position sensor is using the multimeter, diagnosing the electrical units in the car that measure voltage, current, and resistance.
If you want to check the resistance, remove the sensor and connect an end of the multimeter to the sensor wiring, and then analyze the reading ‘0’ indicates that the short circuit has occurred.
If that is the case, then you need to establish the total crankshaft position sensor replacement cost.
Signs that a crankshaft position sensor is bad
The signs and symptoms of a bad, failing, or faulty crankshaft position sensor are distinct.
The most noticeable symptom is that your vehicle may not start, or the engine could stop while driving, causing it to stall while driving and is now dangerous.
You may also experience engine misfires, and see the check engine light illuminating on the dash.
There are some common symptoms that can help you judge whether or not the crankshaft position sensor in your car is not working properly and can also serve to help you judge the crankshaft position sensor replacement cost.
#1 check engine light on.
The check engine light can come on for many reasons – one of them is sensor failure.
Some other reasons that the check engine light will come on are due to failure of the oxygen sensor, loose fuel cap, catalytic converter failure, spark plug and ignition coil issues, bad spark plug wires, failure of the mass airflow sensor, issues with the aftermarket alarm, vacuum leak, and failure of the exhaust gas recirculation valve.
In this case, it is. sensor failure, which also gives you the crankshaft position sensor replacement cost. If you run the motor too long, the sensors may fail, causing friction and heat build up in the motor, which may illuminate the check engine light.
Mechanics recommend having your vehicle serviced from time to time so you can find out why the check engine light is illuminated.
#2. Loss of Acceleration.
The other symptom of an acceleration issue, which may justify the crankshaft position sensor replacement cost, is loss of acceleration at high speed.
This generally will be a result of a defective crankshaft sensor. What happens with this failure is that the engine control unit doesn’t receive the correct information about the defective sensor, which causes a problem when it comes time to synchronize the engine pistons together, with the engine.
The engine control unit is a series of actuators in the internal combustion engine that helps to ensure optimal engine performance.
When this part is no longer working correctly, the crankshaft position sensor could no longer receive the correct information. In addition, the poor acceleration and inability to speed up while driving could be a problem with the incorrect setting of ignition timing in your engine and fuel injection.
#3. Engine Vibration.
If the crankshaft position sensor is failing and you are concerned about needing a replacement, you will know for sure if the crankshaft position sensor is no longer able to be calculated or analyzed by the sensor.
This can cause the engine to shake badly while running, decreasing performance and increasing mileage.
This decreases your car’s fuel economy and thus decreasing your mpg, and your ability to gain mpg from your car.
#4. Increased Mileage.
This runs hand in hand with the engine shaking. If you have a crankshaft position sensor that is failing and you are trying to calculate crankshaft position sensor replacement costs, then may be affected by the fail position sensor.
If the position sensor is not working properly, then spark timing, and fuel injection are not working properly creating engine disturbance, such as engine shaking, and a reduction in fuel economy which thus reduces the overall mpg you are able to gain.
If you notice that your vehicle is using more fuel than normal for the same mileage, then this could be due to a defective crankshaft position sensor.
#5. Problems with starting the car.
When you notice that you have problems turning the car, be it turning the ignition key, or the car sputtering, then you are going to have to consider how this relates to Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement Cost.
Once the crankshaft position sensor fails, the onboard computer (also called the electronic control module) will produce a fault code that can be interpreted. Diagnostic tools available have vital information for any crank shaft position sensor failure.
Initially the vehicle will present issues with starting or running; because of timing issues and the fuel settings in your vehicle.
Over time, this will only get worse until the vehicle will not start at all. Just make sure it is not an electrical fault or bad connections in your vehicle, but the crankshaft position sensor.
#6. Engine Misfire.
Your engine misfiring means that one of the three key components of your engine system the fuel, the oxygen, or the spark – are not in proper working order and not firing at the correct time.
The cylinders in your car’s engines are designed to light or fire in a given order. If that does not happen, it can have a significant deterioration in quality and performance for your vehicle.
Engine misfire occurs when the onboard computer simply doesn’t get enough information to make a decision about the position, thus timing is incorrect and cylinder misfires.
Engine misfires can occur simply due to a defective crankshaft position sensor or faulty spark plug. This may assist you in calculating the overall price for the crankshaft position sensor replacement cost.
#7. Engine Stalling.
At some point your vehicle will experience stalling or more frequent issues of engine cutting out once you try to accelerate to a high speed such as on the highways.
In addition, you can start to feel your engine is going to stop or stall even driving at lower speeds; this is typically related to a crankshaft position sensor, and can be the result of crankshaft position sensor replacement cost.
The crankshaft position is predominantly the issue simply because this is the piece of equipment that controls the ignition timing.
Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement Cost Averages
The typical crankshaft sensor cost can range from about $115-$300, and labor can cost between $40-$200, plus the part at around $150 as an overall total.
The value of what a crankshaft sensor replacement can cost depends greatly on what type of vehicle you own, where you are, product quality, what brand, which mechanic you went to, and labor costs.
Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement Process
A crankshaft position sensor, as I previously mentioned, is a massive part of your engine management system that may damage your vehicle with failure.
If you’re sure your crankshaft position sensor is in fact broken and needs replacement, then you can try to self-install to save on some crankshaft position sensor replacement cost.
But, if the symptoms are enormous and the issue lay unnoticed too long, then you might want to consider taking your car to the mechanic because other issues can arise with waiting longer than you should with replacements and repairs.
The steps involved in replacement of a crankshaft position sensor include disconnect plug and battery, find the location of the crankshaft sensor with your vehicle, obtain a clear view and access to the crankshaft position sensor, inspect the location of the sensor and remove the connections, and release the electric connections.
Then once you get to the crankshaft position sensor, you will remove the four bolt bolts, remove the crankshaft position sensor, match the new sensor to the previous sensor you are replacing, install the new positions sensor, reinstall the mount bolt, re-plug all the electric connections, reseat the parts you removed for access, and reconnect and attach the battery.
It may help you determine the total process of sensor replacement cost.