1996 Pontiac Sunfire Crankshaft Position Sensor won't Fit

Tiny
B2THAKING13
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,000 MILES
I have a 96 sunfire 2.2 L engine. I recently bought it and the engine wase'nt put together so I had a personal mechanic do it for me and I bought a crankshaft position sensor with 3 prongs inside of it, but my wire connector has 4 holes and doesnt fit. GM says they never made a 4 prong sensor The guy I bought it from doesnt know what car the engine originally came out of. My question is can I just have the crankshaft position sensor wire changed to match up with my sensor or will I need an entirely new wiring harness? Or am I reaching for the wrong wire?
Monday, March 15th, 2010 AT 7:46 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Have you contacted a dealer? I know I've seen them with 4 pins. Also, is the engine the original one?
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Monday, March 15th, 2010 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
B2THAKING13
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I talked to a parts dealer who looked for one for my year, the year before and up to 2000 and did'nt find one. And no it isn't the original engine and the original owner I bought it from doesn't know where it came from he just bought it used and never had it put together and sold it to me, but I have a 1997 Sunfire and the engines are nearly identical.

Thank you
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 AT 5:40 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
See if you can make it work with the 3 pin. However, something tells me there is going to be a problem.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
B2THAKING13
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The wire doesn't fit at all I've tried and I have yet to find a 4 hole sensor. I wish I could
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I just went through cavaliers, sunbird, sunfire. From 1990 through 2000 including 2.2 and 2.4 and can not find a 4 pin, but I know I have seen them.

A friend of mine owns a salvage yard. I will try to make it there this weekend and check it out. He has a row of wrecked ones.

I'll let you know what I find.

Joe
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 AT 10:43 PM
Tiny
B2THAKING13
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Alright well just let me know. It'll help a lot

Thank You
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Whats the shape of the connector and the color of the wires?
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Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
B2THAKING13
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The connecter is long lenth wise and short height wise. Rectangular. The wires are im not sure.
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Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 5:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I looked at about 15 of them. Everyone had a three prong connector. Have you tried contacting a dealer to see if they have any suggestions?
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Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
You need to get me the wire colors so I can trace them down in a wire scematic. That way I can help you better
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 AT 8:07 AM
Tiny
B2THAKING13
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well I finally broke down and took it to a garage apparently I need a new wiring harness. Is it worth it?
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
How much are they charging you?
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 AT 11:03 PM

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