Crankshaft position sensor removal

Tiny
IAN HOHMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • 200,000 MILES
I have removed the screw securing the CPS, however the cylinder is seized up and I am unable to remove. The only thing I can think of to fix this would be, either, tap and drill screw into cylinder and then pry off however the catalytic converter is directly behind and in the way so in order to do that I believe the catalytic converter would need to be removed to even access the sensor or remove the oil pan and push sensor through. However, to do both of these jobs I believe I would need to remove catalytic converter. Is there any other way or trick I can do to remove the CPS rather than taking everything apart?
Monday, March 25th, 2019 AT 10:51 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

You can try soaking it down with WD40 or PB blaster and let it sit. Then take a pair of pliers and try turning the sensor. You need to release the o-ring around the sensor before it will come out.

Roy
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 5:12 AM
Tiny
IAN HOHMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks! I finally got it out however when it came loose the plastic casing exploded and left remnants behind in the cylinder which I have removed most of. I pulled out just the metal cylinder of the CPS and have tried removing most of the casing however there is still some left with a metal circle in the middle. Is this part the end CPS and can I still drill and pull or is this the crankshaft? Removing the rest of the casing is extremely difficult with limited space and only using a small mirror let alone make shifting a tool that can pry up the secured casing. Any suggestions? Thanks
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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
IAN HOHMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Here is a picture of what I have removed.
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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Can you repost the picture? It did not upload to this question.

Roy
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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
IAN HOHMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I'm wondering if what's left in there is the cone piece after the metal cylinder? Thanks
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Thursday, March 28th, 2019 AT 2:31 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Got it.

It looks like there is more of the sensor in the hole. You need to see if the remaining plastic is still in the hole.

Does the new one fit in the hole?

Roy
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Thursday, March 28th, 2019 AT 5:27 AM
Tiny
IAN HOHMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
There is still remaining plastic in the hole and I assume the end of the CPS that didn't come out. Which would be the best way to remove? I'm thinking to lightly tap with screw then pull? I haven't tried putting the new one in because of the remaining remnants and I don't want to push in further where I cannot remove.
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Thursday, March 28th, 2019 AT 6:11 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
At this point, I doubt it will come out with a screw. There is too much missing.

You can try but I bet you will need to drop the oil pan and push it up and out of the block.

That way you will be able to get anything that got into the pan out.

Roy
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Thursday, March 28th, 2019 AT 6:18 AM

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