Crank Sensor replacement night mare

Mechbernie · #1 10-26-2009, 09:21 AM

I,ve got a 97 Lesabre. Okay, so I finally figure out how to pull the harmonic balancer off in order to replace the crankshaft sensor. Once I replace the sensor I go back on with the balancer, Torque it to 110-111 ft lbs. and not only will the car not start the sensor pickups (steel teeth on the back of the balancer) rub against the sensor as well as the engine case! I've had ths apart about four times now. Haven't been able to figure it out. The crank shaft is keyed. The manual claims the balancer should be able to be pulled off by hand-NOT! I'm sure my neighbors are tired of seeing the right side of the front end sitting on a jack stand in front of my house. Winter's coming. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

jcc3inc · #2 10-26-2009, 09:41 AM

Good morning,

I replaced the crank sensor on both our '97 as well as my '91. The '97 had no adjustment of the position of the pickup as I recall. Therefore there was nothing to align after fastening the sensor in place. Could some of the fins on the balancer be bent so that they touch the pickup? Maybe you can test the clearence of the fins to the pickup before completing the job!?? And I did have to use a puller on both the '97 and '91. Earlier models could removed by hand, I'm told.

As to the starting problem, if he new pickup is OK and there is no connector/wire problem associated with it, then maybe there is another source of not starting.

Regards,
Jack C.

Mechbernie · #3 10-26-2009, 10:32 AM

I appreciate your reply. The pickup ring initially were bent side to side and I straightened them out. They are running between thf fins of the sensor okay but rubbing against the base and on the opposite side against theengine block. I'll take yet another hard look at the pick up ring to see is somehow it could have gottten pushed/pulled out some how. I think it not starting probably has something to to with the rub because you can hear it. Did you change your cam shaft sensor at the same time you changed the crank sensor? My brain box only indicated the crank sensor was at fault.

Best regards,

Bernie

Smith1000 · #4 10-26-2009, 08:25 PM

If I were you, I'd take the balancer to a salvage yard and compare it to a salvaged one. Sounds like you may need a replacement. I also used a puller when replacing the sensors on my '97. I have 2 '97 Lesabres and have done them both. As mentioned, there is no aligtment needed. When you put the balancer back on, it should clear the fins. Something is out of whack on it if rubbing.

I had a broken wire on one of the connectors where the wiring was bent and pulled tightly upward from the sensor. Had to solder in a plastic clip from another old piece of a wiring harness to make it work.

Mechbernie · #5 10-27-2009, 08:46 AM

Jack and Smith , thanks for both of your suggestions. Good news. It turns out; some how aparently during the removal process somehow one of the puller screws went through the balancer to the pick up ring and bent the ring out on one side. I can believe it took so long for me to notice it! Haven't had a chance to throw it back together yet but hope to in the next couple of days. I'll let you all know if all goes well.

Smith1000 · #6 10-27-2009, 09:34 PM

Good deal. You must have a different type of puller from what I have. The one I have grips the edge of the balancer. Hope it runs.

Mechbernie · #7 10-31-2009, 09:33 AM

Ugggh! It still doesn't start! Pulled it apart again. (I'm on my second puller; should have kept original lubed better) This time pulled the new sensor off that got rubbed. Looks like just surface chaffage although not sure if initial impact may have damaged internals. Checked resistance of wires going from ignition module to sensor connector. Good. Need to re-verify a no spark condition in case for some reason it's now a different problem than at first. May take chaffed part and compare resistance to a new part at the part store. Suggestions welcome.

jcc3inc · #8 10-31-2009, 12:52 PM

Sir,

What was the reason for your replacing the crank sensor? Did you have a code indicating that was at fault? Maybe there is something else that is causing the problem. Do you have fuel pressure? Do the injectors work? Is there spark at the plugs?

Regards,
Jack C.

Mechbernie · #9 10-31-2009, 03:06 PM

Yes I used a analyzer from Sears that revealed the code for the crankshaft sensor. Sorry I thought I had mentioned that earlier in the thread. About a month before this I had replaced the fuel pump/seding unit and fuel filter which solved the problems at that time. This is different from that. Further suggestions please.

jcc3inc · #10 11-01-2009, 09:23 AM

Mechb,

You need to see if you have spark at the plugs; you also need to check for fuel pressure.

In replacing the crank sensor, are you confident that the connector and wires are all in good condition?

Regards,
Jack C.

Mechbernie · #11 11-01-2009, 12:54 PM

Jack,
The wires from the ignition module to the sensor appear to be in good condition and ohmed out good (0 resistance between ends). I'm at work today however when I get back to it today or tomarrow I do plan to check for spark and fuel pressure. Thank you for your thoughts.

Bernie

Mechbernie · #12 11-04-2009, 08:25 PM

Update...exchanged the sensor I had damaged with the bent reluctor ring, After bending the ring back into shape as much as possible (looke pretty good) the engine still does not start smelled fuel. Acts like its way out of time. Might be time to go after a new reluctor ring or a whole new or used harmonic balancer assembly with the ring. Uggh!

HotZ28 · #13 11-04-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechbernie

Update... Might be time to go after a new reluctor ring or a whole new or used harmonic balancer assembly with the ring. Uggh!

The reluctor ring is riveted to the balancer, so you have no choice except to replace the balancer. If you add up the labor you have involved in this project, you could have bought several balancers by now!

Good Luck!

jcc3inc · #14 11-05-2009, 09:15 AM

Sir,

Unless the reluctor ring has been shifted (rotated) with respect to the keyway on the balancer, I see no way that it could be the problem. If the ring passes thru the pickup slot as it did before, it should still do its function. DID YOU TEST FOR SPARK??
It sounds like you have the injectors working.

Regards
Jack C.

HotZ28 · #15 11-05-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

After bending the ring back into shape as much as possible (looke pretty good)

Several years ago, I had a serpentine belt break and some fragments got wound up in the reluctor ring and bent several tabs. When straightening the tabs, I used a set of calipers with a depth gage to measure the distance from the inside ring of the balancer to each tab. I used several known good tabs as a reference point. I don't think you could get this right with only visual judgment of the distance. (It may LOOK good, but it may not actually BE good)

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