Crankshaft position sensor

KHT1990

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CHEVROLET CAVALIER

I have a 1997 chevy cavalier with a 4 cylinder 2.2 engine. The motor blew so I installed another one. The new motor was a 1996 2.2 but has some differences. The water pump is different but that wasn't a problem. Everything went together nicely except the crankshaft position sensor. My 1997 car has a two prong crankshaft position sensor and the 1996 has a three prong one. Is there any way to convert one of them. I am stuck and the only thing I can think of is to pull the motor and get another one. Can you help me avoid this? Any ideas on what to do next?

Thursday, August 30th, 2007 AT 7:10 PM

7 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

KHT,

Before I even give an impression that I have an answer, I'm gonna say your screwed, you created a

I probably can't help you. furthermore I'm going into an area that I am not an expert regarding the electronics.

Okay, now that i disclaimed myself, I will do my best to help you. I'm going to post some diagrams and info. I see that the 96 CKP is grossly more expensice than the 97 Ckp. MAybe there is a way to splice the three prong pigtail into the 97's wiring. If you don't have the pigtail for the 96 ckp, you may have to get one to try.

First let me give some credit to mitchell:

Here is the description they provide which shows the 97 DIS :shock: ....so is 96, no? :?

Next is the wiring diagrams for the 96:

And the 97:

Look at this and see if you can find a solution. It's past my bedtime. At least you may have a few tools to work with. I'm not sure where the ground is for the 3 connector, but I haven't given up...just for tonight.

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Thursday, August 30th, 2007 AT 8:13 PM

LIONKING908

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I did almost the same thing. I have a 1996 Cavalier 2.2 with a bad engine and I installed an engine from a 1997. The Haynes repair manual only shows the wiring diagram for the 1997 and later vehicles. Now I am looking for some help.

I hope you were able to figure out the secret so I can get this thing running.

Thanks

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Sunday, September 2nd, 2007 AT 1:44 PM

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The first 2 are the 96.

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Sunday, September 2nd, 2007 AT 4:34 PM

KBOLK

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Hello fellowhead sratchers. I am too having the same problem. I purchased a used 2.2engine for my 97 cavalier, I put in the used 96 2.2 with no problems but once I turned it over no spark. I checked all my connections and found that I didnt connect the ckp and relized I cound not because it has a three plug pig tail vurses my 97 wiring harrness which has a to plug pig tail. I found this forum and was waiting to see if the other fellow fixed his problem with the solution of charts that was posted. If any one can give me a hand it would be greatly appresiated. Need the car to get the kids to school on time. Thank you for you time.

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Monday, September 10th, 2007 AT 3:55 PM

DIRK BONESTEEL

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Parts issues are pretty much my thing, here's what I would do. First be sure both sensors are exact same length! The only important part of this 2 or 3 prong thing is if you are using the computer and module original to the car, you have to use the matching crank sensor. The new engine must use all the electronics original to the car or all electronics must be changed. A very common issue with mix and match cars for parts is what year to use. For physical hard parts you match the engine, with electronics/control you match the car. The size of sensor is critical to be able to pick up the pulse from crank.

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Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 AT 11:39 AM

KBOLK

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Well I ended up changing my engine again because the first one I installed didnt even have the camshaft sensor. It didnt even have a spot in the block for it. This time I made sure it had all the electronics sensors attatched, but still the ckp was the three prong. I simply just purchased the correct ckp [two wires] I installed the new sensor, and now every thing seems to be running fine. The two wire sensor was worth $15. At the dealership, and the three wire sensor is worth $140. At the dealership. Go figure. Well I hope this helps some one with my lack of knowledge with these sensors.

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Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 AT 9:33 PM

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