No, you should not drive a car with a bad crankshaft sensor. Attempting to do so is highly risky and will likely leave you stranded. The crankshaft position sensor is a critical component that tells the engine's computer (the ECU) the position and rotational speed of the crankshaft. This data is essential for the ECU to properly time fuel injection and ignition spark. A failed sensor means the ECU is essentially blind, causing the engine to misfire, stall, or fail to start altogether. While you might get the car to move a very short distance in "limp mode," continued driving can cause further damage.
The primary risk isn't necessarily immediate harm to the engine itself, but the sudden and unpredictable loss of engine power. This can happen while you're merging onto a highway, navigating an intersection, or in any situation where power is critical for safety. A stalled engine means you lose power steering and power brakes, making the vehicle difficult to control. Furthermore, if the engine is misfiring due to incorrect timing, unburned fuel can enter the exhaust system, potentially damaging the catalytic converter—a very expensive component to replace.
If your car exhibits symptoms like intermittent stalling, rough idling, difficulty starting, or a sudden loss of power, a faulty crankshaft sensor is a likely culprit. The only safe course of action is to have the vehicle towed to a repair shop. A mechanic can use an OBD-II scanner to read diagnostic trouble codes (often a P0335 code) and confirm the diagnosis. Replacing the sensor is a standard repair, and the cost is minor compared to the safety hazard and potential for additional damage from driving with it.
| Symptom | Consequence | Typical Diagnostic Code | Approximate Repair Cost (Parts & Labor) |
|---|
| Engine won't start | Complete failure to operate | P0335 | $150 - $400 |
| Engine stalls while driving | Sudden loss of power, safety risk | P0335, P0336 | $150 - $400 |
| Rough idling and hesitation | Poor performance, potential damage to catalytic converter | P0335 | $150 - $400 |
| Reduced fuel efficiency | Wasted money on gas, increased emissions | P0335 | $150 - $400 |
| Check Engine Light illuminated | Warning of system malfunction | P0335, P0336 | $150 - $400 |
