Crankshaft Position Sensor Help

[Ladytrae]

I am changing out the crankshaft position sensor on my 89 Buick 98 and I am trying to find out the spacing with the harmonic balancer. I have a feeler guage for this, is it necessary? Any help would be great. Thanks -Ladytrae

[NTX5467]

I suspect that if you get it so it doesn't hit, it'll work. Getting those "splines" to line up with those on the balancer can be a somewhat tedious situation, from what I remember of that situation.

Seriously, though, I suspect that if you can get the sensor's splines to be in the middle of the splines' gaps on the balancer, that'd probably work pretty well (I suspect).

The earlier sensors came with an adjustable bracket attached to them. Later ones did not come with the bracket. I suspect that if you can replicate the original mounting situation on the prior bracket, it might be useable.

Also, while you're there, make sure the swinging (ball bearing mounted in rubber) balance weight on the back of the balancer is stationary and not "swinging around".

Just some thoughts,

NTX5467

[JohnD1956]

If you have already removed the old sensor then it is easier to use the special feeler guages for this alignment. Leave the sensor off and rotate the crank till you have the vanes in the general area of the sensor. Mount the sensor with all the bolts but leave it loose. Note the additional bolt that allows the sensor to move horizontally in it's bracket.

Then slip in the feeler guages and tighten the bolts holding the sensor a bit at a time, adjusting the horizontal position so that there is no binding of the sensor on the balancer vanes.

But why are you replacing the sensor? If it is due to erratic idle and issues with the car stalling, then before you take off the sensor, take off the coil packs, and the spark control module, and clean the surfaces between the spark control module and it's mount.

In addition, and not to be overlooked, the three flat gold colored squares are actually bolts with nuts under the mounting plate. Take these off and you'll find the mount is a two piece bracket. You also need to clean the area between the two poeces of the bracket.

What happens is these parts oxidize and you loose the ground here. Try cleaning them up before changing the sensor out.

JD