What is a crankshaft position sensor and where is it located?

Your vehicle's crankshaft position sensor, commonly abbreviated and referred to as a CPS sensor, CKP sensor, or CAS (crank angle sensor), is a key component to your engine control system. It is typically located on the front of the engine on the timing cover. The crank sensor uses a pickup (usually a Hall effect sensor) to determine the position of the crankshaft and sends the info to the vehicle's computer. The computer uses this information from the crankshaft sensor to control engine parameters such as ignition timing. This sensor can also be sometimes referred to as an "engine speed sensor (ESS)" or a "rotational speed (RPM) sensor" as well.

How do I know if my crankshaft position sensor needs to be replaced?

Crank sensor failure can occur due to various reasons, and a malfunctioning sensor will often cause a service engine light error code, and / or cause a no start condition, or rough running due to inaccurate ignition and fuel timing. OBDII Check Engine Codes related to crankshaft position sensors (CPS) include:

P0016 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
P0017 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)
P0018 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A)
P0019 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B)
P0315 Crankshaft Position System Variation Not Learned
P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Malfunction
P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
P0337 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Low Input
P0338 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit High Input
P0339 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
P0385 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Malfunction
P0386 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance
P0387 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Low Input
P0388 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit High Input
P0389 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent

Want to learn even more about this sensor? Check out all of our articles about crankshaft position sensors and get all of the information you need!

How do I know if my crankshaft position sensor needs to be replaced?

The location of the crankshaft position sensor will determine how difficult the job will be. In some vehicles, it will be visible and will simply require the disconnection of the sensor wiring harness and the loosening of the bolt that holds it in place. In some vehicles, the process may be a bit more complicated (such as removing the intake manifold) and may only be able to be completed by an experienced do-it-yourselfer. It's important to research and find the location of your sensor in order to determine how time consuming the repair will be.

Need a crankshaft sensor replacement?

The crank position sensor (CPS) is one of your vehicle's most important sensors and if it has failed, your vehicle is either not running or running quite poorly. At 1A Auto, shopping for a crankshaft sensor replacement for your vehicle is easy - we're here to help you! Call our customer service toll free at 888-844-3393 if you have any questions about our crank angle sensors (CAS), warranty, compatibility or to purchase, or you can buy online.