1987 lesabre has "hiccup" symptom after crank sensor replacement

[gahunter33]

Hi, I just recently replaced the crank position sensor on my 87 lesabre because it shut off right after it cranked up a couple weeks ago. After the change, it cranks right up but it keeps on having what I can best describe as a "hiccup" at idle or when I hit a level speed in any gear. It does it at cold start or after it warms up to temp. I drove it on level and uphill at different speeds and it doesnt miss a lick if the rpm's are up and I'm gettin on it pretty good....now, if I'm just poking along and driving it normal, say thru my sub division, it does it , or if I reach 55-60 and it goes into overdrive and my rpm's level off, it will do it. It didnt have this problem until after the sensor change. Any clues as to what can cause this?

[rustbucket]

Same thing happened to me. In troubleshooting something else, I replaced crank sensor with one from Autozone. It "hiccupped". I put the original back in and hicup went away. So I would guess the new sensor is flakey.

[gahunter33]

Thanks rustbucket....I tried 2 different ones from autozone and they both did the same thing so I took your advice and went to advance auto and tried theirs and the skip is gone. Ive had some terrible luck with parts from autozone lately. I tried 3 different alternators a little over a week ago and as soon as I started up the car, they would fail. I finally went to advance and put one of theirs on and havent had a problem since. It used to be that most mechanics around here would send you to autozone for parts but that doesnt hold true anymore. I dont know what has changed in the past couple of years but with me, I want to buy a quality part that works, even if I pay a little more for it. Its worth not having to change something several times and being aggravated with it. Ohh, well, I will hop off my soap box now and thanks again, I appreciate it.

[gahunter33]

Thanks rustbucket....I tried 2 different ones from autozone and they both did the same thing so I took your advice and went to advance auto and tried theirs and the skip is gone. Ive had some terrible luck with parts from autozone lately. I tried 3 different alternators a little over a week ago and as soon as I started up the car, they would fail. I finally went to advance and put one of theirs on and havent had a problem since. It used to be that most mechanics around here would send you to autozone for parts but that doesnt hold true anymore. I dont know what has changed in the past couple of years but with me, I want to buy a quality part that works, even if I pay a little more for it. Its worth not having to change something several times and being aggravated with it. Ohh, well, I will hop off my soap box now and thanks again, I appreciate it.

[HotZ28]

I have to agree with the above statements and assessment of Auto Zone parts being inferior to some other suppliers. I assume they hired some high profile “bean counters”, that suggested they go to the low bidder on part building & supplies. As everyone knows, many other companies are now outsourcing to the international market for low labor and raw materials. (Have you talked to Dell Computer customer service in India, lately?) If they are not careful, they could end up like some of the other publicly held companies that have failed due outsourcing & lack of quality. Don’t read me wrong concerning “bean counters”, I think there is a place in this world for them, (IRS, H&R Block & the bottom of the Ocean)

Ten years ago I bought about everything from Auto Zone, now I just drive by three of them on my way to NAPA!!