Moderator: volvite
smj999smj wrote:Crank positions sensor is located on the top of the transmission bellhousing, slightly towards the driver's side. It's held in with a single, 10mm head bolt and there "should" be a heat shield around it, if it has been disposed of by somebody in the past. It's a pain in the tail to get to, especially if you have 4WD. It's easiest seen an accessed from the bottom of the vehicle with the vehicle on a lift. It's strictly for ECM monitoring and has no affect on performance nor drivability.
I have a 1997 Pathfinder SE, yesterday I went out of the office to get me some lunch, when I came to start my car the dashboard lights kinda dimmed on me and bam the car started, when I got to the office I turned off the car and tried to get it going again after 3 clicks the car started. Same when I got home but it only took 1 click. I saw that it might be the starter causing the code to start CEL, also the new distributor cap was thrown in when the mechanic changed the sensor.smj999smj wrote:The alternator replacement shouldn't have anything to do with it. Several things can cause a crank position code; you could have a poor ground or a wiring issue. You best bet would be to follow the diagnostic procedure for the crank position sensor code located in the factory service manual. You didn't mention what year Pathfinder you have, but you may be able to find the Engine Control chapter of the FSM in the "knowledge base" at NissanHelp.com or a full service manual at Nico Club's site.
I am suspecting the starter since I started in the morning and the car started fine, shut it off again and on and bam it did a low RPM start. I erased the code to see if it will come on again.smj999smj wrote:It might be a starter, or you still have a charging system incident. Just because a part is "new," doesn't always mean it's good, especially when dealing with aftermarket parts. Or, the alternator may be good, but the battery could be weak, battery cable connections could be poor or corrosion in the cables, there could be to much resistance in the 10-gauge wire to the back or the alternator (or an open)...or a blown out, charging system warning lamp bulb. So, check the battery and charging system before dropping money down for a new starter.
Are Nissan picky about the sensors like spark plugs? I got the sensor from Autozone in which I am unsure if they prefer something else as in brand wise?smj999smj wrote:Your friends are wrong about the crank position sensor on the bellhousing. As I said, it is only a monitoring sensor for the ECM. It does not affect drivability. It states so in the service manual.
No wonder, I got the sensor from Autozone after market parts. If that is the case I might as well get a new one from Nissan OEM parts.smj999smj wrote:Yes. It's best to stick with genuine Nisaan or at least the original equipment manufacturer, which is typically Hitachi or Mitsubishi when it come to cam and crank sensors. The sensor can be component tested using an ohmmeter; the factory service manual will have the specs in the engine control chapter.