BusaNostra Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 Question: can water damage a crank sensor? My 7 suddenly behaving bad - hard to start - sometimes it will start then die. Sometimes it will run but missing. The anti freeze leaked in the front of the engine, pouring at the crank sensor area.....that's the only thing I can think of....oh I cleaned & hosed the front too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wemtd Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 Have you tried unplugging it to check for moisture on the contacts? My guess is it shouldn't (i'm still trying to dry out my seat cushion after my last long blat 3 weeks ago! but the engine and electrics are working ok) Regrettably i don't have a good alternative explanation. - If you are able to connect to your ECU can you log diagnostics/CPS pulses when trying to start? I'm able to do this with my setup and immagine it should confirm whether your sensor is giving you a wonky signal. Could you have water or a short elsewhere? IIRC my ECU won't even give a spark if it isn't receiving signals from cam & crank sensors. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted September 16, 2012 Author Share Posted September 16, 2012 Thanks - I will try to download AEM EMS software and check for the pulse. I like to replace it but I have to take a lot of stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 If you have a Zetec, check the wireing to the crank sensor. Make sure it is not to close the the header. If it is, the wires can melt allowing the + and - wires to come in contact with each other. This can be intermittent and cause sputtering or engine ceasation. It can also correct itself when the engine cools. A real PIA to diagnose and find. Or, it can be constant causing the engine to stop and not restart. We replaced my wireing and wrapped it in heat shield and also made a heat shield to cover the crank sensor. Problem solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlumba81 Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Possible fuel pump going bad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted September 17, 2012 Author Share Posted September 17, 2012 I don't have a gauge...buying one at summit...thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I have a Zetec and when my crank sensor went bad, the engine was dead. No firing, nothing. You can check it easily with an ohmmeter. Remove the connector at the sensor and with some small alligator clip leads attach to the sensors connectors, then crank the engine and watch for pulsing. One other thing, the sensor on the Zetec is attached with a screw and mine had a couple of shims to make the proper air gap. If the screw came loose the sensor may be jiggling around and may cause the intermittent issues you're having. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twnpipe Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 My crank sensor was reading badly and it turned out to be a ground that I had soldered and therefore brittle and fell apart on inspection. I've learned crank and cam sensors on Miata (mine) go bad due to heat and start with high rev failure. Also check your gap on sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now