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Crankshaft Sensor

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Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Fri Oct 16, 2015 2:26 pm

My 1999 Frontera Sport RS has suddenly refused to start. I got the Vauxhall garage to come out and take a look. They could get no fault code and suggested that it was a faulty crankshaft sensor.
I've tested the plugs, HT leads and fuel and all appears good. Car cranks over but won't fire. Lads wouldn't tell me where the sensor was and hinted at two hours labour, recovery vehicle and part plus VAT.
Can anyone tell me where the sensor is and what I need to remove to get to it. Also the one I found online is the FACET Ref: 9.0228 at £43.36 from Mister Auto. Couldn't find a Bosch or Vauxhall genuine part
anywhere for a MK 11 (B).

Any help would be gratefully received.
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby vauxsqueeks on Fri Oct 16, 2015 3:22 pm

MartinX wrote:My 1999 Frontera Sport RS has suddenly refused to start. I got the Vauxhall garage to come out and take a look. They could get no fault code and suggested that it was a faulty crankshaft sensor.
I've tested the plugs, HT leads and fuel and all appears good. Car cranks over but won't fire.


1. Do you have spark at the plugs when cranking?

- No.. good diagnosis.
- Yes.. Your crank sensor is fine.


MartinX wrote:Lads wouldn't tell me where the sensor was and hinted at two hours labour, recovery vehicle and part plus VAT.


Run Away from them as fast as you can Jim Lad.. them... there are Pirate's....!!

MartinX wrote:Can anyone tell me where the sensor is?


This is where it goes ( marked in YELLOW )
Image


This is what it looks like:
Image


MartinX wrote:what I need to remove to get to it

From memory not much, its behind the bracket that holds the Aircon pump - see above PIC.. cant remember if you need to remove this to get at it.. maybe not. you will need an E6 or e8 socket.

Either way no more than a few mins are required..

MartinX wrote:Also the one I found online is the FACET Ref: 9.0228 at £43.36 from Mister Auto. Couldn't find a Bosch or Vauxhall genuine part anywhere for a MK 11 (B).

Try and stick with OEM if you can they are around.. try carpartsconnexions. If you go for a NON OEM then at least try and get a well known branded part like Unipart or similar.

You can get them from ebay from £11 so a cheap one may get you going ( if there is no spark when cranking ) until you can find one elsewhere.
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Fri Oct 16, 2015 4:27 pm

Thanks for this.

Took HT leads off and put spare spark plug in and held it against body. When cranking over leads 1,3 and 4 had slight spark. Lead 2 had none.
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:09 pm

Hi

Checked out ebay, Amazon and everywhere else for a sensor. When I put in VAUXHALL, FRONTERA, 1999, MK 11 B. 2,2i, (136Hp). Petrol I get NO MATCH.

Everything seems to come up as Diesel or class A! Up to 1998.

Also carpartsconnexions has nothing listed.

Thanks for your help.

Help!!
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby vauxsqueeks on Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:50 pm

MartinX wrote:Thanks for this.

Took HT leads off and put spare spark plug in and held it against body. When cranking over leads 1,3 and 4 had slight spark. Lead 2 had none.


1. Crank sensor is fine,
2. Check engine loom connections and plugs
- A Continuity check from Injector plug through to RED/BLUE/GREEN connector on NSF Wing under power steering bottle.
- Be careful as injectors are permanent 12V and negative switched to trigger.
- use contact cleaner and make good all connections.

If #2 now sparks
try and crank in the dark, look for electrical sparks/leakage around the plugs, injectors and round the coilpack.. sometimes in the dark you can see sparks to bodywork.
- repair/replace as necessary
- check/clean engine earth connection


If works and weak spark..
- Fit new HT leads

If still weak - replace the coilpack
Fronty B, 2002 3.2 V6

Now Gone
Fronty B, 2004 2.2 DTi Olympus (SD04) viewtopic.php?f=18&t=57397 -- Best DTH upgrade ever Tuning Box
Fronty B, 2001 2.2i SWB Limited (Y48 ) viewtopic.php?f=16&t=50727
Fronty B, 1999 2.2i LWB Limited (V924)
Fronty B, 1998 2.2i LWB Limited (T934) viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48369
Fronty A, 1995 2.4l LWB

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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:52 am

Thanks for this.

Cleaned and changed position of engine earth.

Got new plugs and HT leads to fit.

Will replace coil if no joy with new plugs and leads. Then will change crank sensor if still no joy, if I can find it!

I've got the feeling I need to remove belt and cover to get to crank sensor. Is that right? :D
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Wed Oct 21, 2015 3:08 pm

Hi guys

Fitted new HT leads and spark plugs. The poor old Fronty wanted to go so badly …. but just couldn't.

So I've ordered a new crankshaft sensor. £11 is cheaper than £35 for the coil … which will be next.

Any more ideas as I'm no mechanic!

Thanks in advance
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby vauxsqueeks on Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:33 pm

MartinX wrote:Fitted new HT leads and spark plugs. The poor old Fronty wanted to go so badly …. but just couldn't.
So I've ordered a new crankshaft sensor. £11 is cheaper than £35 for the coil … which will be next.


After new HT's and spark plugs are you saying that 1,3,4 are ok and 2 is still not working or all all 4 now sparking?

If all 4 are sparking then I would be looking at the connectors to the #2 Injector to make sure that it is injecting fuel when instructed by the ECU.

- these have a 12V permanent feed and is switched on by connecting the ground wire to -ve/chassis - careful with your fuses!

Either way, if any cylinder is sparking then your crank sensor is OK and does not need to be changed - get a refund!

Get sparks on all 4 cylinders before you buy anymore parts.
It could be that one of the coils is weak.. there are 2 and work in pairs. So if 2 is failing then you have a good chance that 3 is also weak or 3 fires and 2 fails..

Maybe it could be a faulty coilpack

Next Steps.
1. Confirm spark on all cylinders before spending any more money!
2. if you have spark on all 4, then look at each injector connector and test to see working ( I have had in the past a broken wire inside the plastic cover ) which was causing intermittent fuel to that cylinder..
Fronty B, 2002 3.2 V6

Now Gone
Fronty B, 2004 2.2 DTi Olympus (SD04) viewtopic.php?f=18&t=57397 -- Best DTH upgrade ever Tuning Box
Fronty B, 2001 2.2i SWB Limited (Y48 ) viewtopic.php?f=16&t=50727
Fronty B, 1999 2.2i LWB Limited (V924)
Fronty B, 1998 2.2i LWB Limited (T934) viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48369
Fronty A, 1995 2.4l LWB

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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby martinkettering on Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:38 pm

There is 2 wires that are earthed to a bolt on coil pack,if its loose it can cause non starting problems.
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby vauxsqueeks on Thu Oct 22, 2015 12:42 am

this one for reference.

Image
Fronty B, 2002 3.2 V6

Now Gone
Fronty B, 2004 2.2 DTi Olympus (SD04) viewtopic.php?f=18&t=57397 -- Best DTH upgrade ever Tuning Box
Fronty B, 2001 2.2i SWB Limited (Y48 ) viewtopic.php?f=16&t=50727
Fronty B, 1999 2.2i LWB Limited (V924)
Fronty B, 1998 2.2i LWB Limited (T934) viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48369
Fronty A, 1995 2.4l LWB

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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:27 am

Thanks guys.

Working today but will get cracking tomorrow morning and post an update. :D
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Mon Oct 26, 2015 11:53 am

Fitted new crank sensor.

Still no joy.

Will now test the injectors and check the connections to the coil pack - when I've worked out where they are!
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Mon Oct 26, 2015 12:07 pm

I'm feeling hopeless now!

I don't know where the fuel injectors are on the Fronty so I can clean the connectors.

Neither can I find the coil pack to check that.

I've come so far --- but feel I'm going backwards now…….
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby RatCav on Mon Oct 26, 2015 1:48 pm

I reckon that you have a dodgy coil pack. You have done everything else, also you have already diagnosed poor spark. If you follow the HT leads out the back of the plastic strip on the top of the engine they will all terminate onto the coil pack.

I wouldn't even touch the injectors personally.
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Mon Oct 26, 2015 3:14 pm

Ratcav thanks

Can I get to the Coil Pack from above to change it or do I have to go from under the car?
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby RatCav on Mon Oct 26, 2015 4:52 pm

Dunno .. I have no idea where it is on the 2.2 petrol, other than at the end of the HT leads.

You have double checked the output from the alternator haven't you?

Both at idle and held at various rev points. I had a bad alternator that overcharged when on throttle. Caused all sorts of miss fires and poor running.
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Rear Limited Slip Differential.
Yota Surf steels, with custom paintjob. (cheers Gregster)
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+2" suspension lift.
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby fogman on Mon Oct 26, 2015 11:14 pm

you get to the coil pack from above martin.
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby MartinX on Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:35 pm

Okay guys.

Piggy backed a new coil pack, so as to avoid removing the old one which is nearly impossible without dropping the engine. NO JOY. So not the coil pack.

Checked and changed all earths. NO JOY.

Tipped petrol into throttle while turning over. FIRED pronto. So I presume no issue with engine at all.

Took off fuel filter and blew out excess fuel. Appears clean and clear. No fuel coming out from tank - is that because it has to be drawn out?

Put fuel filter back and cranked over. Checked fuel filter which was as dry as a bone. So no fuel coming from tank.

Is this an immobiliser issue? Is the immobiliser preventing the fuel from reaching the injectors? No fuel in the injectors.

This begs the question - how does the immobiliser work on the Frontera - what does it do and when does it kick in?

I am getting there with all your help. Now just the last few steps. Could it be a failing Fuel/Injector pump? In which case will that cost a fortune?

I don't want to change the pump only for it to be the immobiliser all along. This is a damned hard car to steal!!!!
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby fogman on Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:56 pm

have you checked the fuel pump relay ?
the immoboliser could be at fault..... hopefully vauxsqueeks can give you some help with that ! if it proves to be the fuel pump im sure gregster would have a 2nd hand 1 in stock.
Last edited by fogman on Thu Nov 05, 2015 9:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Crankshaft Sensor

Postby westo123 on Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:59 pm

If it's the immobiliser then that's a big problem, just search on here. I had to get a reprogrammed ECU! Mine would turn over but not fire, it was due to the battery going flat. Absolutely no option but the ECU. Hope it's the fuel pump, much easier and cheaper.
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