How A Jeep Owner Can Replace The Crankshaft Sensor On A Jeep Cherokee With a 4.0L Engine
Posted on: 7 August 2016
A bad crankshaft sensor will cause your Jeep Cherokee to stall and have starting problems. The crankshaft sensor watches to make sure the crankshaft and valves are working properly. When the sensor fails, it sends a bad message to the Jeep's computer system to shut the engine down to prevent damage. If your car starts to stall a lot and you then have trouble re-starting it, you should take it to an auto parts store to have them check the engine with a diagnostic scan tool to get the repair codes. If a P0035 to a P0338 appears on the scanner, you know you have to replace the crankshaft sensor. Here is how an average Jeep owner can replace the crankshaft sensor on a Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0L engine.
Crankshaft Location
The crankshaft sensor is located where the engine block and the transmission connect together. This part of the transmission is called the bell housing. You need to crawl under the Jeep and look at the transmission until you see the engine block. You will notice some wires covered in an elastic plastic wire-sleeve cover. These wires lead to the crankshaft sensor.
Removing Crankshaft Sensor
The space where the crankshaft sensor is located is tight and you won't be able to fit your hand or arm through the opening the reach the bolts holding the sensor to the transmission's bell housing. To reach the bolts, you will need a ratchet fitted with a couple of long extensions and a swivel head. Reach in with the ratchet and remove the bolts to free the sensor from the bell housing.
Now you need to disconnect the wire harness for the sensor. The wire harness is located on the top of the engine block near the back of the engine compartment on the driver's side. You will notice a set of wires in a sleeve-cover. Pull on the back of the wires to pull the crankshaft sensor up to the top of the engine. You now need to disconnect the wire harness by squeezing on the tabs and separating it. You also have to remove a small nut holding the wire sleeve to the engine block.
Installing New Crankshaft Sensor
Reconnect the wires harness and secure the wire sleeve back by bolting it to the engine block. Snake the crankshaft sensor down into the opening between the engine block and the dash. Crawl back under the car to bolt the sensor back onto the bell housing. You should put some heavy grease into the socket on the ratchet. The grease will help to keep the bolt in the socket so it doesn't fall out as you try to reconnect the sensor. Bolt the sensor back in place.
You are now ready to start the car and take it for a test drive to make sure it is working properly. For more support, talk with a local auto parts shop like Southwest Auto Salvage.
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