Ok kids so i got my 190km service the other day and all ill say is that it was expensive. When I went to pick up my car the mechanic said that while doing the timing belt he noticed that the crank angle sensor was damaged so he replaced it with a second hand one ($125 for the part) he said he used a second hand one because brand new ones cost $380 (Does that sound right?). Now correct me if im wrong but if my crank angle sensor is damaged my car would be running like s**t if at all right? I smell a bit of BS and im pretty disappointed cause i really trusted this mechanic can anyone shed some light for me?

I have a 1996 TE 3l V6.

Shoulda asked him for the old part.

It could be damaged but still functioning, maybe he saved you some hassles down the track.

Mind you, he should not have done other work without your prior aproval, you could have told him to piss off. Bit like getting back and him saying your trannie was stuffed so he changed it............I dont think so Tim.

That being said, if hes happy to give you the damaged bit (and someone else on here confirms the price), a trustworthy mechanic is a valuable find. :D

Yeah i really trust this guy he's a good family friend hence the reason he didn't ask before replacing. I have no problem with him replacing it i was just under the impression i would have known about the CAS being damaged but if it can be partially damaged and not cause 'major' problems then im glad he did replace it. And thanks for the speedy reply.

Ok kids so i got my 190km service the other day and all ill say is that it was expensive. When I went to pick up my car the mechanic said that while doing the timing belt he noticed that the crank angle sensor was damaged so he replaced it with a second hand one ($125 for the part) he said he used a second hand one because brand new ones cost $380 (Does that sound right?). Now correct me if im wrong but if my crank angle sensor is damaged my car would be running like s**t if at all right? I smell a bit of BS and im pretty disappointed cause i really trusted this mechanic can anyone shed some light for me?

I have a 1996 TE 3l V6.

It is possible for it to malfunction - in which case your injection firing cycle will be off more than anything else - have you noticed any large change in the car - ie suddenly faster acceleration or much better fuel economy? ($380 is probably right for a new one as they're built into a large part of the timing belt cover as far as I understand it).

Yeah ever since i got my distributer replaced ive been having problems with a flat spot and acceleration issues but it was only minor so i was under the impression it couldn't have been the CAS. My car does feel smoother but that could just be a placebo affect.

Crank angle sensor is one of the only sensors that if it fails the car will NOT run.

Seriously - I did an efi course where the instructor removed every sensor off the engine, and it kept running. It seriously got rough when the TPS and MAP was removed, but you *could* drive it. Crazy stuff.

Cheers
Heath Young

actually you will find that if a crank angle sensor is damaged the car will still run. if you unplug it it won't though. i have been helping fix a mates 180sx and his crank angle was stuffed. the car would only run normally with the timing fully advanced. we fitted a new sensor and we now have full range of the sensor again.