Broken Crank Sensor in a 1997 Cavalier

In 1995, the Cavalier got its first significant redesign, and it was a drastic one. Chevy scrapped the old box-style body that the Cavalier donned since its release in 1982 and gave it a more modern wedge design. The 1997 Cavalier, still bearing the same body style, came standard with a 120-horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. The Z24 model Cavalier, however, had a 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The crankshaft position sensor uses a magnetic system to measure the rotation speed of the crankshaft and transmits a pulse to the powertrain control module. The PCM then adjusts ignition timing and fuel injector pulse to match the crankshaft. Replacing a broken crank sensor in either of the Cavaliers engines is a fairly simple task.

Instructions

Replacement on a 2.2-Liter Engine

1

Look on passengers side of the engine block, just below the ignition coil packs and find the crankshaft position sensor.

2

Pull upward on the locking tab on the crankshaft position sensors wiring harness, using a flat-head screwdriver, and unplug the wiring harness.

3

Remove the bolt securing the sensor, using a ratchet and socket, and pull the sensor from the engine block.

4

Apply a thin coat of new engine oil to the O-ring on the new crankshaft position sensor and guide the sensor into its hole in the engine block, aligning the bolt hole in the sensor with the bolt hole in the engine block.

5

Tighten the crankshaft position sensors bolt by hand, then torque it to 71 inch-pounds, using an inch-pounds torque wrench.

6

Connect the crankshaft position sensors wiring harness to the new sensor.

Replacement on a 2.4-Liter Engine

7

Raise the front of the Cavalier with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its subframe. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

8

Crawl under the front of the vehicle and find where the oil filter connects to the engine block, near the front of the Cavalier. Look above the oil filter to find the crankshaft position sensor.

9

Follow steps 2 through 6 in the section titled Replacement on a 2.2-Liter Engine to remove and install the crankshaft sensor, the only exception being that the crankshaft position sensor bolt requires 88 inch-pounds of torque.

10

Raise the vehicle off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the Cavalier to the ground.