New Development with crankshaft pos. sensor

britdirk · Post by **britdirk** » 11 May 2007, 13:19

1997 Volvo 850 R 82,000mi.

So I went to change my crankshaft pos. sensor this morning and as I went to remove the old one, the white connector slid right out of the sensor wiring. Upon closer inspection i determined that the sensor wiring is not snapping the sensor in place. I looked closely at the metal clip that is supposed to hold it and it fell off in my hands. So my question is this: Do I have to replace the wiring or can i fix it simply? If i do have to replace it, is it easy or does it take electrical knowledge (of which i have none)? Thanks for your quick replies.
Britdirk

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 11 May 2007, 13:51

I think I am reading your post correctly and that the wires themselves did not come out of the molded plug nor did the wires themselves actually come out of the socket.

If that is the case, it should plug right back into the socket. If the metal retainer clip is missing or damaged I would simply use a couple of tye wraps to secure the plug and the socket back together to keep it from coming apart again.

There is no real electrical skill needed as the plug and socket are keyed and they will only plug in one way.

...Lee

britdirk · Post by **britdirk** » 11 May 2007, 14:35

No, the wires and plug are fine. I do think its just the clip, so i took some craft wire my wife gave me and secured the sensor conector to the plug. I havent turned the car on yet to see if there is a difference. I guess my question would be this...Is what ive done sufficient or will i need to replace the plug?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 11 May 2007, 19:15

If it fires up and runs OK I think you are good to go.

...Lee

britdirk · Post by **britdirk** » 11 May 2007, 19:48

So I started it up and it wouldn't accelerate very well. At first it surged a few times, then it would accelerate very slowly. It was taking up to 2 city blocks to accelerate to 45mph. I almost made it to work and it shuttered really bad (like previously) and then it died. I had to tow it about 12 miles home. So I am going to replace the sensor in just a few minutes, and then I'll have to find a replacement plug end for the sensor. Is this a part i have to get from the dealership?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 11 May 2007, 21:17

Before I went to all of the grief of changing the connector I would suggest a $4.00 or $5.00 investment or so into contact cleaner and spray the heck out of both ends (The plug end and the socket end) of the connector. Since the connector has obviously been loose there is a good chance that the connections have corroded. Changing the crankshaft position sensor itself is easy and I take it that you have one already. I haven't done it but changing out the socket it plugs into is going to be much more difficult since it is actually part of the harness. There are special tools to release the pins in that connector and slide them into a new connector body but if they are corroded it won't help.

Best of luck, let us know how it works out.

...Lee

britdirk · Post by **britdirk** » 11 May 2007, 23:01

I changed the sensor tonight and looked at the connector. It had some green goo which i can only assume is from corrosion. I cleaned it and fixed the clip so it stays in place on its own. I am concerned that it still isn't accelerating very well. Any suggestions on what that could be and how i could fix it?

britdirk · Post by **britdirk** » 12 May 2007, 23:44

So that didn't fix my shutter and stall problem. I'm back to square one and have an appointment with the dealership to take another look. I hope they can figure this out cause i'm out of ideas and i'm getting really frustrated. For background info on my story please see:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... hp?t=10983

I'll keep you posted as to what volvo says. If anyone has anymore suggestions please let me know. Thanks.

britdirk · Post by **britdirk** » 14 May 2007, 12:39

Volvo said that the fuel pump wont hold pressure and thats whats causing my shutter and stall. They also wanted $900 to replace it. No thanks. I'm looking in my haynes manual, and it looks like a more complicated job than a novice can handle. Is it really that difficult??

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 May 2007, 13:44

They also wanted $900 to replace it.

I'm looking in my haynes manual, and it looks like a more complicated job than a novice can handle. Is it really that difficult??

It is actually very easy on a Volvo. The hardest part is disconnecting the quick coupler on the top of the pump and then getting the retaining "nut" off of the top of the pump assembly. Then it simply lifts out. There are a variety of methods to get the top "nut" off, one of the simplest is to use an oil filter wrench. You can get a new Walbro pump on eBay for under $100.00 but it has to be adapted with a small length of hose and a couple of hose clamps.

...Lee