Do I need to change my Crankshaft Position Sensor?

Hello all,

Recently I had a check engine light on my 03 WS and Auto Zone said the code was for a crankshaft position sensor. I bought it, then my wife took an interstate trip before I could replace it. I tried replacing it but could not find it in the compartment. My Haynes manual had another engine pictured; the sensor was nowhere near where the book said it was. Can anyone help me find it? As a side note, the van was running fine the whole time.

After wife got home, the indicator turned off and hasn't come back. There has been no change in the running condition of the engine- just as good as before. Do I even need to worry about it?

Thanks in advance! You are all really helpful.

Do you know what the code was. It could just mean the plug to the sensor is going bad or dirty..If its running fine would make me think that may be the issue.

I don't have the numeric code. I went in with the Auto Zone tech and we looked it up. Whatever the code was, it meant that the sensor was bad. Your suggestion that the cable or connection was bad or dirty makes a lot of sense, but I never pulled the cable because I couldn't (and still can't) find it in the engine compartment. If anyone has experience pulling this sensor, I'd appreciate the info!

I have not changed that particular sensor.....but it is on the front (well, passenger side of the engine as it is sideways....but they still call that side the front) near the crankshaft pulley.

In the future......ask the AutoZone clerk for the actual numeric code.
They are not trying to keep it secret....it is just that most people would be confused by their telling it to them....so they don't.
Most people want "what part to I replace to make the light go out?".

It can really pay off to have the code......as some items have a number of codes.....a common one is the oxygen sensor.....there are 4 of them....and MANY codes for each one......so...saying bank 1 upstream oxygen sensor tells you which sensor....but now....what is wrong?......a lean code is almost always a vaccum leak......not the sensor....but "slow switching" is usually the sensor.

Thanks, Wiswind. Wish I had written down the code, but since there's no check engine light anymore, I wouldn't imagine it's still throwing any codes. I'm not going to replace it yet, as the vehicle is running just as well as before. I'd rather not fix it if it ain't broken.