What are the symptoms of a faulty crankshaft position sensor?
2 Answers
Crankshaft position sensor damage manifests as the engine failing to ignite, or if the crankshaft position sensor fails while driving, the engine will stall. Here are the relevant details: 1. The function of the crankshaft sensor is to determine the angular position of the crankshaft, typically working in conjunction with the camshaft position sensor to establish the basic ignition timing. The engine ignites at the end of the compression stroke. The crankshaft position sensor calculates signals to determine whether the piston in the cylinder is in the compression stroke. Combined with the signal from the camshaft position sensor, it determines which cylinder to ignite. The specific ignition timing also depends on factors such as the current vehicle load and whether the cylinder is experiencing knock. 2. If the crankshaft sensor is damaged, the engine ECU cannot receive the crankshaft position signal and cannot determine which cylinder to ignite. To protect the engine, the ECU will stop ignition and fuel injection, meaning the vehicle will not start or will stall while driving.
When the crankshaft position sensor failed, my most personal experience was the car suddenly wouldn't start. One time when I went out to start the engine, turning the key only produced the sound of the starter motor but no ignition—it took several attempts to barely get it going. The symptoms didn't stop there; after starting, the engine would easily stall, especially when accelerating—there was noticeable power hesitation, and the car shook violently. The check engine light definitely came on. Fuel consumption skyrocketed—originally, a full tank could cover 600 kilometers, but during that time, it barely made it past 500. Driving became particularly unsafe—losing power on the highway or losing control of the steering wheel would have been life-threatening. I delayed repairs for a few days before spending a few hundred to replace the sensor, and only then did the car return to smooth operation. So, if this issue arises, don't take it lightly—get it inspected and replaced by a professional shop immediately to prevent a small problem from turning into a big headache.
