What are the symptoms of a faulty car crankshaft sensor?
3 Answers
When a car's crankshaft sensor fails, it may exhibit the following symptoms: 1. Minor deviations can cause the car to lose power and struggle to accelerate when going uphill; 2. The engine may have no idle speed, or the engine may shake severely at idle, with the exhaust pipe making popping sounds when accelerating, occasionally accompanied by these popping sounds, and the engine may stall when accelerating; 3. Severe deviations can prevent the engine from starting. In some car models, you may hear a knocking sound inside the engine when cranking, which is the sound of the piston hitting the valve. Advanced cars typically do not experience this issue. The function of the crankshaft position sensor is to determine the position of the crankshaft, specifically its rotation angle. It usually works in conjunction with the camshaft position sensor to determine the basic ignition timing.
I remember last time my car had issues, it was the crankshaft sensor that failed. The direct symptom was the car wouldn't start—no matter how long I turned the key, the engine wouldn't even make a sound, which was really frustrating. At idle, the engine shook like crazy, and sometimes it would stall on its own, especially at traffic lights—pretty embarrassing. Acceleration was sluggish too; I'd press the gas pedal, but the speed wouldn't pick up, and fuel consumption increased a bit because the combustion wasn't properly controlled. The check engine light kept coming on, driving me nuts. Finally, I went to the repair shop and replaced the sensor, and everything went back to normal. So, if you encounter similar issues, check this part right away—don't delay and affect your daily commute. Safety first, after all.
Driving an old car for a long time, it's quite common to encounter a faulty crankshaft position sensor. The symptoms are usually obvious, such as extreme difficulty starting the engine—you might need several attempts before it fires up. While driving, you may notice unstable engine RPM, with the idle either stalling or shaking violently. During acceleration, there's a noticeable lack of power; stepping on the gas pedal feels like stepping on cotton—no strength, and fuel consumption may slightly increase. The check engine light on the dashboard frequently illuminates to alert you of the issue. If not repaired promptly, it could affect the vehicle's normal operation and increase the risk of breakdown. It's advisable to regularly inspect the sensor circuit during maintenance to prevent water or heat damage, ensuring smooth driving.
