Crankshaft position sensor

[Artie]

Can anyone tell me if I can just remove the lower front cover to replace the cranshaft position sensor? The Ford service manual only refers to this replacement during the timing belt replacement and I am trying to change only the CPS. Anyone who can help me? Thanks.

 

[mattsho1993]

un hook it from the harness on top by the fuel rail it should pull down by the water pump pull it out of the slot on the middle case take off middle case crank pully lower case and timing gear remove sensor....

 

[jonheese]

I've never attempted to change the crank sensor with the timing belt on, but I'm sure others have, and will chime in with more direct experiential answers...

Now, my first reaction was: Nope, you gotta take the timing belt off, because the crank timing sprocket has to come off to get the crank sensor out.

However, I just went out and looked at my spare engine, and it looks like, if you were really clever and dexterous, you might be able to get the sensor out with the belt and sprocket in place. You'd have to make sure the crank is rotated so the shutter window is aligned with the sensor, otherwise you definitely won't be able to get the sensor out.

With my engine on a stand, out of the car, it looks like I could probably get the sensor out with the timing belt on, but you're gonna have even more trouble doing it in the car.

All said, there's only one way to know for sure!

Regards,
Jon Heese

 

[mattsho1993]

oh yeah i forgot that part you dont have to take the belt off just back the tensioner down enough to get the gear off

 

[SHOnoFEAR]

you might as well do both as well as the water pump to its a ***** to do it all but it keeps ur car running good. and it would be a **** of a lot easyier to take all the covers off to do it. i just did all three on mine

 

[jmpSHO]

I did one with the timing belt on but I had to remove all the timing belt covers.

 

[shonuffmine]

it can be done. i did it once in my driveway n once in a parking lot in conneticut while on a 900 mile trip,and another time in a hotel lotjust make sure the slot lines up n you space it correctly.,030 if i remember right. also what ever you do don,t drop the screws, they are non magnetic also i did pulled the mid cover ,it makes it alot easier to work that slot for the lead

 

[1995mtxsho]

The crank pulley and all three covers have to come off.
Just align the gap in the shutter wheel with the sensor and it easily comes out.
Durring reinstallation turn the crank to hold the sensor out of the gap in the shutter to set the clearance.
I used a business card to set the gap on mine.