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Hi, it sounds like your harmonic balancer has separated from the crankshaft pulley. There is a rubber cylinder between the pulley and core that bolts to the crankshaft. If you can see the crankshaft turning inside the pulley, replace the balancer. If the crankshaft bolt is turning, your key may have sheared off--that would be very unusual. In either case, you will have to remove the balancer. You will likely need a balancer puller to get it off. Remove the belts and find a way to lock the crankshaft in order to loosen the bolt. If you have a manual transmission, put it in the high gear and set the brake to lock the engine. If you have an automatic, you have have to pull the starter and jam a screwdriver in the flexplate teeth. Once you have the bolt loose, use a puller to remove the balancer. At this point, it may come apart, depending on the type of puller you use. Please let me know if you have questions, and thanks for using FixYa.
Hi,
The sensor is located to the right of the crankshaft behind the vibration dampner (harmonic balancer). You will need a balancer puller and a special tool to space the new sensor correctly.
(can be done also with eye spacing, but the tool is recommended to ensure proper spacing as to prevent damage to new sensor and / or harmonic balancer.) You will also need a strap wrench to hold balancer pulley in place while removing and re-installing balancer to crankshaft bolt. (helper required)
Procedure for replacement:
Remove negative battery cable.
Set parking (emergency) brake.
Release tension on serpentine drive belt and remove belt from harmonic balancer pulley. ( large pulley at bottom of engine)
Break loose lug nuts on passenger side front tire, do not remove bolts yet.
Raise and support vehicle on passenger side, remove wheel.
Remove plastic splash guard (cover) from passenger side wheel well.
Remove dampner / balancer center retaining bolt (counterclockwise, it is torqued very tight.) Use a strap wrench around pulley and have a helper hold that in place while using a 1/2" breaker bar and socket to turn pulley bolt out of crankshaft. Be careful not to rotate engine in a counterclockwise direction while breaking the bolt loose.
Using balancer puller, remove dampner / balancer pulley from engine.
You will now see the crank sensor to the right of the crankshaft bolted to the timing cover.
Disconnect sensor wiring and remove retaining bolts, remove sensor.
Put new sensor in place and screw in bolts, do not tighten them yet.
Reconnect wiring to sensor.
Now use special tool to properly space sensor. If you cannot find one at the parts store, you can space the sensor with the balancer pully held in place (not installed yet) and space the sensor evenly with the veins on the hub of the balancer pulley. Take your time and be sure it is as evenly spaced as possible.
Tighten sensor bolts.
Clean balancer hub free of any oil and dirt deposits using brake or carbeurator cleaner.
Reinstall balancer to crankshaft by tapping around the inner surface of pulley with a rubber hammer.
It is a press fit, so be sure you have it started evenly and progress slowly in a circular motion to ensure you are keeping it aligned straight with the crankshaft.
Reinstall balancer bolt using the same method as removal, torque bolt to 110 foot pounds, then tap around balancer again twice with rubber hammer, turn the engine 2 full revolutions clockwise using the balancer to crankshaft bolt, then tighten bolt an additional 1/4 turn.
Replace splash guard, put wheel on tightening lugs to finger tight and then wrench tight in a star pattern.
Lower vehicle until wheel makes contact with floor, tighten lug nuts to 115 foot pounds in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
Fully lower vehicle, remove jack.
Re-install serpentine drive belt
Re-connect negative battery cable.
YOU NEED A HARMONIC BALANCER PULLER TOOL AND A 15M SIX POINT SOCKET TO REMOVE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT.TURN OFF RADIO AND REMOVE THE DRIVE BELT AND REMOVE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. REMOVE THE STARTER SO YOU CAN PUT A LARGE SCREW DRIVER OR LARGE PUNCH TO STICK IN ONE OF THE FLY WHEEL HOLES TO KEEP ENGINE FROM TURNING WHEN YOU LOOSEN THE HARMONIC BALANCE BOLT. ALSO SCREW DRIVER AND PUNCH CAN KEEP ENGINE FROM TURNING WHEN REMOVER THE HARMONIC BALANCER. YOU WILL NEED A HELPER TO HOLD PUNCH OR SCREW DRIVER WHILE YOU LOOSEN THE BOLT. YOU CAN GO TO SEARS OR ANY AUTO PARTS STORE AND BUY HARMONIC BALANCER PULLER.TORQUE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT TO 76 FT LBS.
Remove the sensor harness connection to the sensor.
Fig. 1: Unsecure the harness, then unfasten the bolt to remove the CKP sensor
Unsecure the sensor block bolt.
Remove the Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor from the vehicle. Inspect the O-ring for cracks and replace if needed.
To install:
Install the new O-ring if needed and lubricate with engine oil.
Install the sensor into the hole in the block.
Install the mounting screw and tighten to 71-88 inch lbs. (8-10 Nm).
Attach the sensor harness connector, then connect the negative battery cable.
Dual Crank Sensor
Sections 3 and 4 of this manual also cover testing, removal and
installation, and adjustment of many computer controlled components.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the belt(s) from the crankshaft pulley.
Raise and support the vehicle safely.
Remove the right front wheel and inner fender access cover.
Remove the crankshaft harmonic balancer retaining bolt, then remove the harmonic balancer.
Disconnect the sensor electrical connector.
Remove the sensor and pedestal from the engine block, then separate the sensor from the pedestal.
To install:
Loosely install the crankshaft sensor to the pedestal.
Using tool J-37089 or equivalent, position the sensor with the pedestal attached, on the crankshaft.
Install the pedestal-to-block retaining bolts. Tighten to 14-28 ft. lbs. (20-40 Nm).
Tighten the pedestal pinch bolt 30-35 inch lbs. (3-4 Nm).
Remove tool J-37089 or equivalent.
Place tool J-37089 or equivalent, on the harmonic
balancer and turn. If any vane of the harmonic balancer touches the
tool, replace the balancer assembly.
NOTE: A clearance of 0.025 in. (0.635mm) is required on either
side of the interrupter ring. Be certain to obtain the correct
clearance. Failure to do so will damage the sensor. A misadjusted sensor
of bent interrupter ring could cause rubbing of the sensor, resulting
in potential driveability problems, such as rough idle, poor
performance, or a no-start condition.
Install the balancer on the crankshaft. Install
the balancer retaining bolt. Tighten the retaining bolt to 200-239 ft.
lbs. (270-325 Nm).
Install the inner fender shield.
Install the right front wheel assembly. Tighten the wheel nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).
Remove the serpentine belt from the crankshaft pulley.
Raise and support the vehicle safely.
Remove the crankshaft harmonic balancer retaining bolt, then remove the harmonic balancer.
Disconnect the sensor electrical connector.
Unfasten the sensor bolts, then remove the sensor.
Fig. 2: The 24X crankshaft sensor is secured by two bolts
To install:
Install the crankshaft sensor to the engine with the two mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 8 ft. lbs. (10 Nm).
Attach the electrical harness to the sensor.
Using tool J-29113 or equivalent, install the harmonic balancer to the vehicle.
Apply a thread sealer such as GM 1052080 or an
equivalent to the threads if the crankshaft balancer bolt, then tighten
the bolt to 110 ft. lbs. (150 Nm).
Crankshaft Sensor
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
3.8L Engine
On vehicles with a manual transaxles, the crankshaft position sensor is easily accessed from beneath the engine. On vehicles with automatic transaxles, the rack and pinion heat shield and the converter intermediate exhaust assembly must be removed first.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Disconnect the electrical connector at the sensor.
Using a 28mm socket and pull handle, rotate the harmonic balancer until any window in the interrupter is aligned with the crank sensor.
Loosen the pinch bolt on the sensor pedestal until the sensor is free to slide.
Remove the pedestal to the engine mounting bolts.
While manipulating the sensor within the pedestal, carefully remove the sensor and pedestal as a unit.
To install:
Loosen the pinch bolt on the new sensor pedestal until the sensor is free to slide.
Verify that the window in the interrupter is still in the correct place.
Install the sensor and pedestal as a unit while making sure that the interrupter ring is aligned within the proper slot.
Install the pedestal and tighten the engine mounting bolts to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm).
Remove the sensor harness connection to the sensor.
Fig. 1: Unsecure the harness, then unfasten the bolt to remove the CKP sensor
Unsecure the sensor block bolt.
Remove the Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor from the vehicle. Inspect the O-ring for cracks and replace if needed.
To install:
Install the new O-ring if needed and lubricate with engine oil.
Install the sensor into the hole in the block.
Install the mounting screw and tighten to 71-88 inch lbs. (8-10 Nm).
Attach the sensor harness connector, then connect the negative battery cable.
Dual Crank Sensor
Sections 3 and 4 of this manual also cover testing, removal and installation, and adjustment of many computer controlled components.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the belt(s) from the crankshaft pulley.
Raise and support the vehicle safely.
Remove the right front wheel and inner fender access cover.
Remove the crankshaft harmonic balancer retaining bolt, then remove the harmonic balancer.
Disconnect the sensor electrical connector.
Remove the sensor and pedestal from the engine block, then separate the sensor from the pedestal.
To install:
Loosely install the crankshaft sensor to the pedestal.
Using tool J-37089 or equivalent, position the sensor with the pedestal attached, on the crankshaft.
Install the pedestal-to-block retaining bolts. Tighten to 14-28 ft. lbs. (20-40 Nm).
Tighten the pedestal pinch bolt 30-35 inch lbs. (3-4 Nm).
Remove tool J-37089 or equivalent.
Place tool J-37089 or equivalent, on the harmonic balancer and turn. If any vane of the harmonic balancer touches the tool, replace the balancer assembly.
NOTE: A clearance of 0.025 in. (0.635mm) is required on either side of the interrupter ring. Be certain to obtain the correct clearance. Failure to do so will damage the sensor. A misadjusted sensor of bent interrupter ring could cause rubbing of the sensor, resulting in potential driveability problems, such as rough idle, poor performance, or a no-start condition.
Install the balancer on the crankshaft. Install the balancer retaining bolt. Tighten the retaining bolt to 200-239 ft. lbs. (270-325 Nm).
Install the inner fender shield.
Install the right front wheel assembly. Tighten the wheel nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).
Remove the serpentine belt from the crankshaft pulley.
Raise and support the vehicle safely.
Remove the crankshaft harmonic balancer retaining bolt, then remove the harmonic balancer.
Disconnect the sensor electrical connector.
Unfasten the sensor bolts, then remove the sensor.
Fig. 2: The 24X crankshaft sensor is secured by two bolts
To install:
Install the crankshaft sensor to the engine with the two mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 8 ft. lbs. (10 Nm).
Attach the electrical harness to the sensor.
Using tool J-29113 or equivalent, install the harmonic balancer to the vehicle.
Apply a thread sealer such as GM 1052080 or an equivalent to the threads if the crankshaft balancer bolt, then tighten the bolt to 110 ft. lbs. (150 Nm).
First remove right front tire and support vehicle with a jack stand. Remove splash guard lower portion near the harmonic balancer. Remove all drive belts. First remove the A/C alternator belt. Loosen the 14mm bolt at the front of the belt tenioner and then loosen the tensioner bolt (it is the one that stands out, you use a socket on it.). The power steering adjuster bolt with be gained from the bottom. It has a 12mm bolt head on it. You will break the jamb bolt loose first and then loosen the adjusting bolt. Pull down on the belt the help move it after you've loosened it some.Then remove harmonic balancer bolt (19mm).If the harmonic balancer will not slide off the crankshaft then use a two finger gear puller. Place the harmonic balancer bolt back in the crankshaft but do not tighten it. Leave it about a half inch from being all the way in. Next place the puller onto the harmonic balancer (one finger on each side securely press into the belt groove. The center puller bolt will rest against the harmonic balancer bolt head. Tighten the puller bolt and make sure the harmonice balancer bolt does not turn. The balancer should come off at this point.
don'y have to remove much to get to the balancer
good ones are available from the wreckers/ junk yards most are held on with a single bolt and there is a harmonic balancer puller that does the removal job
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