When your car starts up, the engine turns over and picks up RPMs. The crank shaft sensor helps the computer understand what’s happening with the engine and controls a couple of things accordingly. If the sensor is bad, the computer won’t be able to understand what’s happening and might mistakenly shut down the engine.
What is a Crankshaft Sensor?
A crankshaft sensor is a device located on the crankshaft of an engine that monitors the position of the rotors. If one or more of the rotors are out of position, the sensor will trigger a warning light on the instrument panel or dash. This warning signal can indicate a problem with the engine’s timing, which can result in poor fuel economy and increased emissions.
How Does A Crankshaft Sensor Work?
A crankshaft sensor is a small device that monitors the rotation of the crankshaft. If there is an issue with the crankshaft sensor, it will send a signal to the engine control module (ECM) indicating that there is a problem. The ECM will then take appropriate action to fix the issue.
A crankshaft sensor can fail for many reasons, but the most common are due to wear and tear on the sensors or from corrosion. If your car has a bad crankshaft sensor, you may notice poor fuel economy, rough engine performance, and/or random shutdowns. It’s important to have your car inspected by a mechanic if you notice any of these symptoms.
Can I Drive My Car If My Crankshaft Sensor Is Broken?
If your car has a broken crankshaft sensor, you may be able to drive it, but you’ll need to take precautions.
Your car’s engine control unit (ECU) will probably try to keep the engine running by default if the crankshaft sensor is broken. To avoid damaging your car, you’ll want to disable the ECU before driving.
You can do this by turning off the car’s ignition and then disconnecting the battery cables. Once the car is off, check to see if the ECU is still functional by connecting a scanner to its diagnostic port. If it isn’t, replace the ECU and then reconnect the battery cables.
Conclusion
If you’re having problems with your car’s engine not starting, one common culprit is a bad crank sensor. If this sensor fails, the engine won’t start because it can’t see the spark from the cylinder head. In order to diagnose and repair the issue, you’ll need to replace the crank sensor. However, before you do that, it’s important to make sure that you can drive your car without risking further damage to your engine. Check out our guide below to see if you can drive your car with a bad crank sensor and whether or not replacing it is necessary.