How To Reset Crankshaft Position Sensor No Start

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The crankshaft is an essential part of the drivetrain; it converts linear energy into rotational energy to move the wheels of a vehicle. The crankshaft has an attached sensor that monitors rotational speeds (RPMs) and the crankshaft’s position.

To an extent, the crankshaft sensor is multifunctional, and as such, if it gets faulty, pretty many things may go wrong with the drivetrain and cause your car not to start. When the sensor is defective, one of the things to do is reset it.

That said, if you’re looking for how to reset crankshaft position sensor no start, this is the right article to read.

What Does It Mean To Reset The Crankshaft Position Sensor?

Resetting the crankshaft position sensor means troubleshooting the sensor so that it starts working well again. This is only recommended when the sensor or its housing is not physically damaged. If you can find physical scratches and broken parts on the sensor, it is best to replace it with a new one.

Resetting is only advised if the sensor and its housing are not physically damaged, yet the sensor is faulty. You know you’ve probably got a camshaft sensor to deal with when the check engine won’t turn off, the engine misfires, and the car idles rough.

In some cases, a faulty camshaft sensor would cause the engine not to start.

How To Reset Crankshaft Position Sensor No Start

There are two methods to follow when you wish to reset the crankshaft sensor; using an auto scanner and not using an auto scanner.

However, before proceeding to reset the scanner, ensure that you’ve checked and didn’t find physical damage on the scanner’s housing or harness. These crankshaft sensor reset methods don’t take up to 30 minutes.

Also, if you changed your car’s crankshaft sensor because the previous one got bad/damaged, you’d need to reset it to synchronize with your car’s PCM/ECU. Whether you’re resetting a new crankshaft sensor or troubleshooting the existing one you’ve got, hereunder is how to go about it.

1. Using an Auto Scanner (OBDII Scanner)

  • Get your auto scanner and connect it to your car’s computer. Run the crankshaft sensor troubleshooter; you should get a DTC P1336 CKP Variation Not Learn
  • With the car parked securely and the brakes well-working, close the hood, and wedge the steering wheel
  • Start the engine and wait for the engine oil and coolant levels to get to 158F minimal
  • Turn off the car and select CASE LEARN in your scanner
  • Now, start the car again, keep the gear selector in Park (P) mode, then match and hold the brake pedal.
  • Look into the scanner and follow the instructions displayed on-screen
  • After some time (following the scanner’s on-screen instructions), your car would go into an idle state.
  • Check for P1336 DTC or any other DTCs (if any) and fix them accordingly. If you got the P1336 code, it means the sensor needs to be relearned

2. Without Using an Auto Scanner

  • Turn off all accessories in the car and put the gear in Park mode for about two (2) minutes
  • Move the gear to drive and accelerate up to 55mph; keep running at this speed for about 10 minutes, then reduce it to 45km/h for just a minute
  • Stop and allow the car to idle for two minutes, holding down the clutch and the gear in Drive mode

This should solve the crankshaft sensor problems and turn off the check engine light. But if it doesn’t, you need to engage a professional auto mechanic to work on your car. It is important to fix crankshaft-related problems as early as possible because they could cause the engine not to start when the issues worsen.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Will Disconnecting Battery Reset Crankshaft Sensor?

Disconnecting the negative terminal of your car’s battery for a while can help fix most electrical faults, including check engine light reset. However, disconnecting the battery has no proven record of helping fix crankshaft sensor problems.

Can Crankshaft Sensor Cause No Start?

When the crankshaft sensor starts getting faulty, initially, it causes engine stalls, and if not attended to, it could cause the engine not to start. How? Crankshaft sensor error can affect the crankshaft itself, which makes it impossible for the engine to start.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Failed Crankshaft Position Sensor?

The first and most common sign of a faulty crankshaft sensor is intermittent stalling. You’d notice that your engine stalls randomly while you’re driving, and the check engine light comes on. The sensor could damage as a result of too much dirt or physical cracks caused by a hard impact.

Conclusion

Looking for how to reset crankshaft position sensor no start? You can do that using an auto scanner or have a mechanic perform a wholesome fix on your vehicle’s electrical system. Either way, ensure to fix the crankshaft sensor problem at the early stage.

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