Can the car still run if the crankshaft sensor is broken?
3 Answers
Crankshaft sensor damage, the car can no longer run. Reasons why the car cannot run if the crankshaft sensor is damaged: After the crankshaft sensor is damaged, the angle of the crankshaft cannot be determined, and the engine control unit (ECU) does not receive the signal from the crankshaft position sensor. To protect the engine, it stops fuel injection and ignition. Symptoms of a faulty crankshaft sensor: The malfunction indicator light turns on; the engine can continue to operate relying on the camshaft position sensor, but the starting time may be longer; cruise control and exhaust brake systems may not work properly, and there may be engine shaking and white smoke emission, but the power performance does not show significant changes, and the throttle response remains normal; possible fault codes may appear; signal disc abnormalities may occur.
I once had a situation where my car's crankshaft sensor failed, and it was a real hassle to drive. That day, when I tried to start the engine, the car just wouldn't turn over no matter what. After finally getting it started, it drove a few hundred meters before suddenly stalling like it was out of breath, which really startled me. Luckily, I was in the slow lane in the city and managed to pull over quickly. After towing it to the repair shop, they found out it was a sensor issue. That thing is responsible for telling the computer the crankshaft's position; without it, fuel injection and ignition all go haywire. If you try to drive with it broken, the engine shakes violently, you might get stranded halfway, or even cause a rear-end collision. So don't take the risk—get it fixed as soon as it fails. Safety first!
If the crankshaft sensor in your car is broken, you basically can't drive very far. As someone who has driven for over a decade, I've found that when this thing fails, the engine becomes paralyzed because the ECU can't receive the crankshaft position signal and doesn't know when to ignite or inject fuel. Some cars might barely start but will have slow acceleration, strong jerking, and drive like an old ox pulling a cart—stalling at slightly higher speeds, which is extremely unsafe. I suggest that owners stop the engine immediately upon discovering this issue and not push their luck. Towing it to a professional shop for a repair costing a few hundred bucks is much better than risking an accident on the road. Regular maintenance and checking the sensors are also crucial to avoid a breakdown at a critical moment.
