When you hear about a crankshaft position sensor, the first that should come to your mind is that it is a shaft driven by a crank mechanism.
This mechanism consists of other series of cranks and crankpins that are attached to the connecting rods of an engine which are responsible for the adequate operation of the engine and the conversion of linear motion to rotational motion.
But over time, the crankshaft position sensor can go bad either because it’s been in use for a long time or by accident. Either way, if the sensor goes bad, can it be fixed, and if it can, how can one make a temporary fix for the crankshaft position sensor?
How to Make Temporary Fix for Crankshaft Position Sensors
1. Shut The Vehicle Down
This method will apply when the car starts to jerk or there is a sudden pop-up on the car dashboard, and the check engine light comes on.
In either case, shut the vehicle down and try to figure out what went wrong. The problem will be most likely caused by a fault in the crankshaft position sensor.
Shutting the vehicle down will help the running engine come to a stop and be at rest. After this process, turn on the car after some minutes and it might just run well.
2. Disconnect the Crank Shaft Position Sensor
If your car refuses to start because of a bad crankshaft position sensor, you can disconnect the sensor and start the car. The car may start using the default mapping of the car.
3. Fuel Top Up
A broken crankshaft position sensor will cause a noticeable increase in the consumption of fuel. The higher the increase in the consumption of fuel, the lower the available fuel in the vehicle.
To prevent a sudden run out of fuel in the vehicle, go to the nearest fueling station and refuel the motor vehicle.
This is also to get you to your destination because this method is quite expensive and would cost a lot if continued over a long period.
4. Cooling
A broken crankshaft position sensor may cause engine overheating in the vehicle. Engine overheating can cause vehicle misbehavior. Cooling the vehicle down for a sufficient period will enable the car to run for a while longer.
Can You Fix a Crankshaft Position Sensor?
A crankshaft position can not be fixed. Once it is broken, you need to replace it with a new one as soon as possible except if it is just the wire that has been cut, or the connector is corroded or loose.
However, what if the sensor goes bad in a secluded area where there are no means of getting a new sensor to replace it? You can however sort for a temporary fix for the crankshaft position sensor in order to keep you going.
Meanwhile, it is important to note that a broken crankshaft position sensor can cause problems with the starting of an engine and its operation.
It can also cause higher fuel consumption and a decrease in the engine’s performance. If you notice those problems with your vehicle, go ahead to check for a crankshaft sensor problem.
Some signs begin to show when there is a problem with the crankshaft position sensor. They include;
- A pop-up on the dashboard
- Ignition troubles
- Sudden stopping of the car
- Car jerking, and
- Increased fuel consumption
When any of these happens while driving, there are a few things you can do to temporarily fix the problem. Note that these methods are only able to get you to your destination; it is not a permanent fix as the sensor cannot be fixed.
Should I Fix Or Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor?
A crankshaft position sensor can only be replaced, it can not be fixed. A broken crankshaft position sensor is most likely corroded and can perform little or no function, therefore, you should have the sensor replaced with a perfectly working one.
You would know you should get your vehicle’s crankshaft position sensor replaced when you notice the following signs;
Popup On Dashboard
When the check engine light comes on, it is a common sign that there is something wrong with the crankshaft position sensor.
The problem should be addressed immediately to prevent the damage from getting worse. The longer it is unattended, the worse the crankshaft position sensor problem will become.
Sudden Stalling
A faulty crankshaft position sensor will cause the engine to stall. The vehicle comes to a stop and does not budge.
This represents a severe fault and could indicate a possibility that there could be more damage to the engine beyond a faulty crankshaft position sensor.
Reduction In Engine Performance
A bad crankshaft position sensor will lead to a reduction in the overall performance of the engine. The most affected areas of performance will be the speed and acceleration of the vehicle.
This reduction in engine performance also causes a decrease in vehicle fuel storage and an increase in fuel consumption.
Excess Engine Vibrations
There is low optimization of performance as a result of a faulty crankshaft position sensor. This causes vibrations in the vehicle engine compartment.
These vibrations occur as an effect of faults in fuel and ignition timing. In this situation, it is going to be a bumpy ride.
Difficulty In Igniting the Vehicle
If the faulty crankshaft position sensor is no longer in sync, you may encounter trouble getting the vehicle started.
It is a problem occurring from the crankshaft position sensor feeding inaccurate readings and timings. You might even encounter problems keeping the vehicle started.
Cons of Fixing a Crankshaft Position Sensor
Fixing a crankshaft position sensor is temporary, it is not a permanent fix, the con here is that you will need to purchase a new crankshaft position sensor to replace the faulty one.
When the replacement is done, you will still need to reset the new crankshaft position sensor you just installed.
A crankshaft position sensor can only be temporarily fixed. And only replacement is the solution to all related crankshaft position sensor vehicle damages.
Pros of Replacing a Crankshaft Position Sensor.
The pros of replacing a crankshaft position sensor are:
- Increase In Engine Performance: After replacing the crankshaft position sensor, the engine returns to its normal performance state. The engine runs better compared to the problems that were encountered before.
- No Overheating Issue: There would be no issues with the temperature, and overheating will not occur.
- Smooth Driving: The engine will not come to sudden stops or jerk while driving. No cut-offs and on while the vehicle is in motion.
- Accurate Readings: The replaced crankshaft position sensor will feed in the accurate timings into the engine and enhance ignition and fuel injection performance and other engine performances
- Normal Fuel Consumption: The increase in fuel consumption caused by the faulty crankshaft position sensor will return to normal once the faulty crankshaft position sensor has been replaced.
Final Thoughts
The crankshaft position sensor is a very important part of the vehicle engine and hence, proper attention must be paid to it.
An engine cannot run without the crankshaft position sensor, it is the most important of the engine management sensors.
When you notice the likely symptoms that have been outlined, do not hesitate to replace your vehicle crankshaft position sensor.