11/07/2025
🚗 How to Start a Car with a Bad Crankshaft Sensor ⚠️
Is your car refusing to start? It could be a faulty crankshaft position sensor—a small part with a big job! While it's tough to start a car with a bad sensor, here are a few tricks that might get you to the mechanic.
🔧 What is the Crankshaft Sensor?
The crankshaft sensor monitors the rotation and position of your crankshaft, sending real-time updates to your ECU (Engine Control Unit). It’s like the news reporter for your engine!
If it fails, your engine won’t get the data it needs—causing misfires, stalls, or even a complete no-start.
🚨 Symptoms of a Bad Crankshaft Sensor:
✔️ Check Engine Light stays on
✔️ Engine won’t start
✔️ Rough idling, rattling, or stalling while running
⚠️ Starting a Vehicle with a Bad Crankshaft Sensor (Not Recommended, but Possible):
1️⃣ Disconnect the faulty sensor
2️⃣ Spray starter fluid into the throttle body
3️⃣ Try cranking the engine
Note: This may only work temporarily—and could cause further damage. It’s always safer to tow your car to the mechanic.
🛠️ Want to DIY Replace It? Here’s How:
Disconnect the negative battery terminal
Locate the sensor (usually between the engine & transmission)
Unplug the sensor connector
Remove the bolts with a wrench
Pull out the old sensor and clean the area
Slide in the new sensor, tighten bolts, reconnect everything
🧰 Most sensors are small L-shaped parts about 2–3 inches long.
✅ Once replaced, if the check engine light stays on but your car runs fine, use an OBD-2 scanner to clear the codes.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re not confident with car repairs, it's best to let a professional mechanic handle it.
&REPAIRSHOP