Sho No Go

[thesire]

93 sho...runs fine sometimes...check engine light comes on....tach stops working...transmission starts slipping...engine dies...hard to restart...code says crank senser...can that cause call these problems...thanks..TS

[shorod]

It most certainly can, and is a fairly common part to fail on the V6 SHO. Often it's due to a leaky water pump. While you're in there replacing the crankshaft position sensor, save yourself future frustration and replace the water pump, timing belt, and timing tensioner and idler pulleys. If you are near a multiple of 60k miles (assuming you have the manual transmission) you may also want to check the valve lash while you have the engine this far apart.


-Rod

[thesire]

ok..have the crank sensor...what is the best way to remove the crank pulley? should i remove the timing belt first...if i turn the crank while trying to loosen the retaining nut i may mess up the cams? i have to have a wheel puller right? thanks in advance...

[shorod]

Are you referring to the crankshaft pulley for the timing belt, or the drive pulley/dampner? If the dampner, then you need to remove the pulley bolt, but you don't need to worry about messing up the cams because they'll turning with the crankshaft. You won't be able to remove the timing belt with the dampner still in stalled. You shouldn't need to remove the timing pulley to replace the sensor.

The pulley bolt is possibly installed with a thread locker, so you may need a pretty good impact wrench to get it loose. Also, a steering wheel puller is not rigid enough for this job, you really should use a proper gear puller.

-Rod

[tripletdaddy]

I looked this repair up in my manual out of curiosity and it specifically states NOT to use a gear puller on the damper as it may damage it, but instead use a puller that utilizes bolts that thread into the hub, which I believe to be the same four bolt holes that the pulley is bolted to. In fact, the picture they show looks like a steering wheel style puller. ref. Haynes, 1998 for 86 to 95 Taurus and Sable.

[shorod]

Good catch, you're right. The factory service manual doesn't specifically state what type of puller, but it is the thread-on style, not a claw-type gear puller. There are flimsy steering wheel pullers, which I assumed is what the original poster was referring to, the type that is just a bent piece of steel. That type won't work. However, if they have a professional grade puller like this one, it should work fine.

-Rod