96' 80 has intermittent start, CEL for Crank Positioning sensor

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HeavyWeight

HeavyWeight

Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Threads
7
Messages
24
Location
Huntsville Alabama
I have a 96' 80 series that is intermittently starting. It doesn't seem to matter if the car has sat for a few days or the engine is hot. turn the key, and you can hear the fuel pump and the starter "clicking", voltage meter on the dash drops leading to it starting or not starting. This happened a few years ago and I rebuilt the starter with new copper contacts and a solenoid plunger. it has been fine until now. It has a crank positioning sensor CEL. I have hit the starter to see if that will get it to start and sometimes it turns over or you might just have to wait 10-20-30 mins until it decides it wants to crank. I have cleared the code to see if it will come back and it has. the car sometimes doesn't have a smooth idle once brought up to temp ( needle drops below 600 rpm or isn't as steady as I feel it used to be).

Im really not sure if it needs a starter or if it needs a crank positioning sensor or both. would a crank positioning sensor going out cause the engine to not turn over?? Id rather not just throw parts at it. any insight or how to test each would be helpful.
 
HeavyWeight said:
Im really not sure if it needs a starter or if it needs a crank positioning sensor or both. would a crank positioning sensor going out cause the engine to not turn over?? Id rather not just throw parts at it. any insight or how to test each would be helpful.
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Starter circuit is separate from every other circuit on the vehicle. Not related to anything else.
If the starter solenoid is pulling in then all logic is correct and you have faulty contacts/plunger or faulty battery connection.

Once running, it will never run properly until you fix the error.
 
jonheld said:
Starter circuit is separate from every other circuit on the vehicle. Not related to anything else.
If the starter solenoid is pulling in then all logic is correct and you have faulty contacts/plunger or faulty battery connection.

Once running, it will never run properly until you fix the error.
Click to expand...

So what Im hearing is the Starter needs to be replaced. and most likely the crank positioning sensor needs replaced also?
 
HeavyWeight said:
So what Im hearing is the Starter needs to be replaced. and most likely the crank positioning sensor needs replaced also?
Click to expand...
I would verify that the solenoid is pulling in, and replace the contacts and plunger.
As far as the CPS, are you getting a P0335 or a P0385 or a P0340 (camshaft position sensor)?
 
Before you replace the starter, how about removing it and testing it? The procedure is in the service manual. The procedure for troubleshooting the CPS is also there.

The service manual, if you don't have one, is available for free download. It's in the Resources forum, on this site.
 
What condition is your battery in? A weak battery may not allow enough current flow to close the solenoid or turn the starter.

Battery terminals look good? When loose or corroded, these will add resistance. Same for the main battery cables and grounds.

Lastly, check the cable connections at the Starter to be sure they're clean, tight, and intact. Start with the simple and easy stuff first - as the starter circuit is simple to aid reliability.
 
So it won't crank period? Because in order for these to run I believe you need to be getting proper signal from the crank sensor to get proper fuel delivery. You may have two separate issues. I'd replace the crank sensor just because of age, but if that isn't doing it you'll need to look at wiring.
 
Batameez said:
So it won't crank period? Because in order for these to run I believe you need to be getting proper signal from the crank sensor to get proper fuel delivery. You may have two separate issues. I'd replace the crank sensor just because of age, but if that isn't doing it you'll need to look at wiring.
Click to expand...
It cranks sometimes first try. And it sometimes wont crank. Its very intermittent
 
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