87 944 Turbo - crank reference sensors

[Raulg]

My 87 Turbo is getting a new clutch installed.
The work is almost complete by an indy.
The plug end of the reference sensors are bad and have cracked.
The mechanic told me there is no way to reach the sensor at the bellhousing and that he will have to epoxy the plugs. He also said he would have to take everything apart to get to the sensors (bell housing, torque tube, etc. $,$.)

I rather get new sensors installed, if he can't may I can.
Are the sensors hard to get to them? Are they replaced from above or from below?
I read the Clark's Garage IGN-02 section but there is no mention of these sensors being hard to replace.

I posted this question on the 968 forum by mistake, so my apologies to those who may read this in its duplicate version.
Thank you for any advice you can provide.
Raulg

[TrailRider]

Hmm... I've replaced them a number of times. You get to them from above at the rear. They are in the back of the motor so a little annoying to get to but not hard to replace at all.

I would definitely recommend doing them yourself.

[Contadino]

I have some used ones from an '89 if you are interested in used. Car was running fine when I parted it out so I believe they are good.

[911tracker85]

getting a new clutch and he cannot access them?

I have replaced them from above, still have bruses on my arm from that.

also pulled them when replacing the clutch on my 951. so just don't understand.

[Raulg]

To all,
Thank you for your replies.
I called the mechanic and he told me the sensors are so rusted he cannot get them out, he also said he couldn't get to them without major disassembly.
I will take a look and try to do it myself when I get the car back.
I will post again in a few days. Wish me luck!

[DannoXYZ]

Mechanic must have hands the size if catcher's mitts. I pulled both of mine recently in less then 2-minutes. Spray them with PB-Blaster and sit overnight. Gently twist them to work the corrosion loose. Spray more PB. Don't use Liquid Wrench, it's not as effective.

Also while the bellhousing was off to do clutch, it would've been easy to remove the bracket that holds them and dunk entire assembly into cleaner tank. Although that would require re-doing the sensor spacing when re-installing.

[Raulg]

Well the mechanic didn't budge about the sensors. He claims they are too rusted and hard to get to them.
His hands are normal size so that is not why he doesn't want to change the sensor.
He was able to connect the wire and the car is running however there is another problem.

The speedometer doesn't work now. He turned the car over to me without saying anything. I test drove it and noticed the speedo is dead. He claims the sensor over the transmission (rear of the car) is connected.

I am worried that they screw up something else. Doe anyone know if it is hard to replace the speedometer sensor? Should I look elsewhere? Apparently he won't tell me what is wrong with certainty and seems he doesn't want to do anything more for the car.

I would appreciate any advise.
Thank you

[alex_cristocea]

the speedo sensor it's easy to change. It's on the left site of the transmission near the CV Joint flange. You need to remove the 3 pin connector and unscrew the sensor.
If they speed and reference are seized in their bracket it's a pain to get them out sometime. I think the easiest way to get them out it's to try to remove the whole bracket and then remove the sensors from the bracket. You need to pay attention when you install them back. There is a detailed procedure about setting the gap to flywheel on Clark's Garage Home Page

[DannoXYZ]

If they dropped the transmission with the cable connected, it most likely broke the connector and the speed-sensor.

[Raulg]

While driving the car, it started acting up, misfiring and stalling.
The crankshaft reference sensor cable has a connector end that attaches to a harness that I think goes to the ECU.
The harness side connector had started to crumble and the wires were shorting out. Apparently this connector was in poor condition to begin with and the clutch work just made it worse.

I didn't know how to fix this. I had to have an Indy change the sensors and connectors on the harness side. I wanted to use the URO sensors (cheaper at $33.00 +)
The Indy said he would not guarantee the work unless the sensors were Bosch ($150 each)
He said the sensors were rusted solid into the bracket near the clutch and were a pain to remove. He managed, so the car is ok now but it was expensive.

Now the speedometer sensor. Oh well...
Thank you for the advice!

[944 Ecology]

Time to find a new mechanic... The attitude expressed by this monkey says he doesn't want your business! If you want a recommendation, I know a great 944 mechanic in Purcellville.

[dondarnell]

I too changed both in less than an hour and didn't even get my hands dirty (latex gloves).

[Raulg]

Thank you all for the replies.
I took the car to another mechanic. He confirmed the sensors/assembly were very rusty and difficult to work on. However he was able to remove the entire bracket, clean, reassemble and replace the sensors. Expensive but at least it is correct now.

When I picked up the car at the first mechanic, the speedo didn't work. It worked before the clutch work.
I posted here and was advised that the impulse sensor will need replacement.

I got under the car to check the wiring connection at the impulse sensor. The metal clip that is supposed to hold the connector onto the sensor is missing. So with the car motion, the sensor is not even making the connection.

Would anyone know where to get a metal clip replacement? Is there even a part number?
Thank you for your continued help
raulg

[mytrplseven]

If you go to the parts diagrams on *********** or pelican, you'll see the part with the part number and can then order one. Or you might contact a salvage provider like Plyhammersparts or Larts.

I hope whoever re-installed the speed and ref sensors made sure they were gapped and the 2mm shim was installed with the speed sensor. On my car (a barn find) the shim wasn't installed with it and the speed sensor rubbed on the flywheel and it eventually was destroyed.

[Molly55]

I always hear how easy these are to replace... 2 minutes, didn't even get dirty, must have huge hands if they can't do it easily.. etc. I call BS because I have been trying to get the front one out for two weeks. Intake is off, along with most other hoses etc in the area, bold came right out, and it lifted about half inch, and will not move a mm more. I have medium hands, heck I only weight 153lbs. My dad and I have basically worn our arms and hands bare trying to get it out. We made a metal strap to cradle under it and then lifted via 4 foot long 2x4 against a fulcrum bar. We PB blaster'd it about 5 different nights. We drilled a pry-bar and put a screw driver into it to create a large t-handle and beat it upward with a 3# sledge for an hour. We've hammered back down into position to get more force when pulling it back out. This baby turns easily but is not, will not, whatsoever, lift more than about half-inch up out of it's little home. I've seen so many other posts where folks have had to destroy the bracket to get it out. Really stuck at this point. Anyone have any other ideas?

And btw, the BOSCH sensors are not $150 each, they are about $70 each, just bought last week at one of the big P-car sites we all frequent.

[Raulg]

mytrplseven & Molly55: Thank you both for replying.

I will look at the *********** for a diagram. I looked here at PP and all it shows is the impulse sensor. There is no number for the connector. And will reach out to Plyhammers. I will report back on whether the retaining clip can be had separately.

In regards to the speed sensors, I may have "been taken" a bit at $150 each. But the guy would not replace them unless they were Bosch and he claimed he had a small mark-up on them. That is the reason I try to work on the car as much as possible. He aslo had to repair the connector at the harness end where the speed sensors connect. Some wires were brittle and were shorting out. He showed me the tools he uses to take the connectors apart and feed the cables into new ones. I don't even know where to get those tools.

I could use them for my next repair.

I think the shims are in place. The second mechanic is well known in this area for doing good work, yet expensive.
The first mechanic did refuse to touch the car back when I suggested I would get the sensors for him to install. His shop screwed up a few things that I am working to correct now..
Thank you both.
Raulg

[Raulg]

Just a quick note about the speed impulse sensor.
I contacted Plyhammer and ordered a sensor. Mark even sent me a used connector with the metal clip my car needed.
The speedo works now. The old impulse sensor appeared in poor shape.
It took a few minutes to unscrew the old sensor, install the new one and carefully install the metal clip.
Thank you all for the advice.
Thank s Mark!
R.G.