Can a bad crankshaft sensor cause a car not to start?

1. Issues starting the vehicle. The most common symptom associated with a bad or failing crankshaft position sensor is difficulty starting the vehicle. If the crankshaft position sensor is having a problem, the vehicle may have intermittent starting issues or may not start at all.

Can a bad crank sensor cause a car to not start?

In other words, your GM vehicle will crank over when you turn the key to the Start position but will not start. Below is a simple list of more specific symptoms that accompany a bad crank sensor: The ignition coil will not spark. No spark from all of the spark plug wires.

When does a crank sensor go bad PCM?

The PCM will usually NOT set a specific bad crankshaft position sensor diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when the crank sensor goes rogue (goes bad). But, every now and then it does, and when it does you’ll get:

How to test the crankshaft position sensor ( GM )?

Since this crankshaft position sensor test article covers quite a few GM years, makes and models, take a look at the ‘Applies To:’ box on the right and scroll with the ‘Next > >’ button to see all of the applications.

How does the crank sensor work on the ignition module?

When the engine starts to crank, the crankshaft position sensor starts to produce and send its signal to the ignition control module (ICM). The ignition control module upon receiving this AC Volts crank signal, converts it into a DC digital signal and sends it to the ECM.

What happens to the crank sensor on a GMC?

The crankshaft sensor on GMC vehicles is synced to the powertrain control module, or PCM. When the crank sensor is replaced, it must be resynced to the PCM. Without resyncing, the PCM cannot properly determine the position of the crankshaft.

What to do if your crankshaft sensor is not working?

Issues with the crankshaft sensor can quickly lead to problems that affect the drivability of the vehicle. For this reason, if you suspect your crankshaft position sensor has an issue, have the vehicle inspected by a professional technician right away. They will be able to diagnose your car and replace your crankshaft position sensor if necessary.

How do you replace a sensor on a GMC Sierra?

Remove the sensor from the engine block. Discard the rubber O-ring. Lubricate the new O-ring with clean engine oil and install it onto the new sensor. Slide the new sensor into the engine block. Reinstall the bolt that retains the sensor in the engine block. Reconnect the wiring connector to the sensor.