How to Install a Crankshaft Sensor in a 1997 Dodge Neon Sport

The Dodge Neon arrived in the 1995 model year to replace the aging Dodge Shadow. The Neon hit the market with plenty of cheeky advertising, including the Hi campaign that seeming ran at an endless loop at every commercial break. The 1997 Dodge Neon Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that cranked out a respectable 132 horsepower. The crankshaft position sensor is responsible for transmitting the revolutions of the camshaft to the powertrain control module via a series of electronic pulses. Installing the camshaft position sensor is the easy part of the task, but completing the task requires a special computer so the PCM can relearn the ignition timing.

Instructions

Removing and Installing Crankshaft Position Sensor

1

Raise the front of the Neon with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the vehicles subframe. Lower the Neon onto the jack stands.

2

Crawl under the vehicle until you have a view of the rearmost part of the passengers side of the engine block. Look directly above the oil filter and behind the alternator to find the crankshaft position sensor.

3

Press and hold the unlocking button on the crankshaft position sensors wiring harness and unplug the harness.

4

Remove the bolt securing the crankshaft position sensor to the engine block, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the sensor from the engine block.

5

Guide a new crankshaft position sensor into the engine block, aligning its bolt hole with that in the engine block. Hand-tighten the crankshaft position sensors bolt, then torque it to 80 inch-pounds, using an inch-pound torque wrench and socket.

6

Plug the wiring harness into the crankshaft position sensors receptacle.

7

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

Crankshaft Position Sensor Relearn Procedure

8

Adjust the drivers seat as far back as it will go.

9

Look under the drivers side of the dashboard and find the data link connector, the male receptacle in the same shape as the plug on the end of your OBD-II scanner.

10

Plug the OBD-II scanners plug into the DLC and turn the Neons ignition to the Run position, but do not start the engine. At this point, the scanner should turn on automatically. If it does not turn on, refer to the scanners instruction manual for the process of turning the scanner on.

11

Access the Special Functions menu on the scanner by scrolling through the menu options. This process varies greatly, depending on the scanner, so refer to the scanners instructions for specifics.

12

Find the Relearn cam/crank function in the special functions menu and initiate the Relearn cam/crank function. This process varies, depending on the style of scanner you use, so refer to the scanners instructions to further details.

13

Follow all of the on-screen prompts on the OBD-II scanner to complete the relearning process. Once the scanner instructs you the relearn process is complete, turn the ignition off and unplug the scanner.