DIY: Volvo 850 T5 Crankshaft Sensor Testing (Video Tutorial)

[ProStreetDriver]

Video tutorial on how to test the crankshaft sensor of a Volvo 850 equipped with a 5 cylinder. This tutorial was done on a 1996 model. If your vehicle has no spark, hard starts, or is running rough, this could possible be the culprit of the problem.

Testing:
-unplug the harness going to the crankshaft located under the distributor cap (2 prong plug)
-a multimeter is required for this test
-set the ohm meter to the thousand increment setting
-put the test probes on the terminals inside the plug on the crankshaft sensor side
-the reading should be between 200-500ohms
-if the reading is not within the specified range, the sensor needs to be replaced

Replacement:
-unplug the harness going to the crankshaft located under the distributor cap
-remove the 1 10mm bolt on the top of the sensor
-pull sensor straight out

[northernlights]

Volvo has a spec of 300 +/- 40 ohms for resistance which is easy to measure, plus an inductance value which is hard to measure accurately with tools most people have access to.

Generic sensors which do not meet factory specs may cause strange driveability and/or reliability problems. Not knowing the reason for the factory specs make me hesitant to use parts which don't meet them, especially anything with inductance.

I measured 317 ohms on what I believe was a 150k mile factory part.
I replaced it as part of a big PM exercise. The new unit measured 292 ohms. This was manufactured by VDO, which I believe is OEM.