flywheel / crank reference sensor WON'T BUDGE

Obin Robinson · 05-11-2002, 03:23 PM

ok, i determined taht IT IS the flywheel reference sensor that is causing my cold-start gremlin. i was going to remove them and inspect, but damn after 2 hours they JUST AREN'T BUDGING!!!

anyone know any nice tips on how to get these little things out of there? i have used PB Blaster, a set of pliers, and they still just won't pop out. i don't want to bust them off, but they just are NOT moving.

should i remove the entire bracket that they're attached to? or will that not help?

thanks!!!!

obin

drew1 · 05-11-2002, 04:20 PM

obin,

I guess you tried twisting with those pliers to kind of break that o ring loose. Taking the braket off would help, but then you would have to adjust the sensor gap on reassembling.

drew1

ch944 · 05-11-2002, 04:37 PM

Obin, If you can't get the sensors out of the bracket than take the whole assembly out as one. Be very careful not to drop anything in the flywheel housing. There is not much room for hands and fingers back there. You'll need a 6 or 7mm allen wrench and socket. The bolt is at the top end and a pin is at the bottom. This is not a fun job, at least not for me. I'm 6'4" w/ hands like a monster and this job sucked. My frustration level was pegged at 10. My first winter with this problem I did pull them out to clean and I was in your boat, they wouldn't move so I pulled them w the bracket and in the process the allen socket went into the bellhousing. Of course the cleaning didn't work so I found some sensors on ebay and dreaded the job so much I waited till this last winter to change them. If you feel like this is your problem then pullem. Just out of curiosity did you boost or check for spark on a cold start?

ch944

Obin Robinson · 05-11-2002, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ch944
If you feel like this is your problem then pullem. Just out of curiosity did you boost or check for spark on a cold start?

ch944 [/B]

i treid boosting and that didn't help. as for checking for spark.. i can give that a shot. i'm pretty sure i'm getting it though because i have a new coil, new plugs, and the only thing not changed is wires, cap, and rotor...

but if it warms up a few degres, car fires up first shot with no problems.

i'm going to duct-tape over any openings that any wrenches can fall into and i'll take the whole bracket out tomorrow. if cleaning doesn't work, then i will just look for nice used ones, or just get them new (can't hurt).

offhand, how hard can you pull these before you bust them? are they really tough, or too fragile to just try prying them out?

thanks!

obin

todwic · todwic's Garage

Knock'er loose is a good product for such applications, I just bought my first can of PB Blaster and reports are still out in the field.
I suggest you contact you local Shaman/Witch doctor and purchase an unsticky spell.

drew1 · 05-11-2002, 11:03 PM

You can pull on them pretty good, the wire is probably the delicate thing. I don't know if the plastic on the sensors will be real brittle or not.

drew1

AFJuvat · 05-13-2002, 05:52 PM

The plastic around the sensors tends to get brittle with age, they are notorious for cracking where they plug in (top of the engine)

You will most likely crack the plastic before you break the actual sensor - use lots of PB blaster and let them sit overnight. Profanity and lots of beer is helpful here as well.

Next time, use anti-sieze on the mating surfaces (not on the sensor tip itself though)

Good luck

AFJuvat

lm6y · 05-13-2002, 07:49 PM

Hey Obin!
They are a pain, but the best way I've found to get them out is the longest pair of 90 degree needle nose pliers you can find. You can get a little more leverage, and you can kind of use them like a prybar with teeth. But, you still have to curse, throw things, and yes, beer helps! Good luck!