Since we're about to replace the crankshaft sensor on our '95 Bonne SE Vin #K, I was wondering if you guys can tell me if we need this Installation Tool?

The Chilton Manual (for installation) states: "Position the sensor, with the pedestal attached, on crankshaft sensor installation tool J 37089 or equivalent."

However, that is stated under the installation for 1986-91 vehicles. For 1992-99 vehicles, this tool is never mentioned. Do we need it?

Thanks for your replies.

Layla- The 95 Helm manuals came in the other day. In looking it up. It says if you need to replace the crank sensor you must pull the crankshaft balancer with speical tool J 38197 (Probably is a standard puller for balancers). Don't see anything about your special tool number.

According to the diagram the sensor has a pin and two bolts, no movement or alignment should be necessary.

Thanks, Bill!

When i took my sensor off to change my cam, i just took off the harmonic balancer and this plastic cover off and then the sensor was right there (i think 2 bolts?). You definitely need a 3800 specific harmonic balancer puller though.

Regular puller won't do the trick? Bonnie is a specialized requirement?

The tool they mention in the Chilton Manual, from what I heard, costs anywhere from $200-$350.......... sooooooooooooo.. the Bonne'* goin' to a mechanic for this one.

PS: Tryin' to find this "tool" is like tryin' to find a needle in a haystack.

The "special" tool I used to get the balancer off when i changed my timing chain was a crowbar and hammer Also if you dont put the crank sensor in exactly they way it came off, it can hit the plates on the back of the balancer that it reads, and cause the engine to miss and backfire (trust me I know!).

I had a regular Harmonic balancer / steering wheel puller, you may need different bolts. The puller is the same. Mark the old crank sensor mount if it is monted seperately. I had a 1993 Olds 88 and it was all 1 piece, my Bonneville being a 1992 was a 2 piece unit. I just marked the old mount and replaced the sensor. Works great without any problems.

Good luck,
Sellncars

I know this thread is 5 years old, but when I do a search it'* one of the few that come up, so I'll assume others who are searching are also reading it. I have a '93 bonneville and I have to change the harmonic balancer. I have not seen this special tool that'* required but I believe it to be needed because there are no threaded holes in my balancer to thread puller bolts into.

I tried tapping it with a hammer and prying on it with a prybar. I cannot get the darned thing to budge. I'll have to tow it to a garage if I can't find one of the "special" pullers.

Who ever heard of a harmonic balancer going? Never in my life. What kind of junk are they making these days that even the harmonic balancer can fall apart? Sheesh. I like these bonnevilles a lot, especially the interior, but the engines are just boat anchors. What junk.

It'* the rubber in the balancer that goes bad.

I purchased a common wheel puller from Autozone a couple years ago. The bolts that came with it are wayyy to fat for the HB. Best way to do it is, remove one of the UIM bolts. The long one. The threads are the same as the HB. Take it to a hardware store, and purchase something of equal thread size, but make it like 4 inches long. Get washers so the bolt heads don't slip through the puller holes. Then your good to go.