Driving home today, my car hiccuped (it seemed like combustion stopped for a moment, started, then stopped again). It did this a couple times in a row, ran normal, did it again, then the SES light came on. Scan revealed history and current codes of 17 and 19. Dying crankshaft sensor seems most likely to me...

Sounds very similar to what Bill Boost just experienced. He replaced the crank sensor, and so far the problem has not come back. After he took the sensor off, he found some metal shavings stuck to the magnet end of the sensor. His thoughts are that perhaps trying to blow those shavings out with a good blast of air may not be a bad place to start, before replacement.

How likely is it to strand me in the near future?

It could go at any time of course, but if we use his as an example, he had been chasing around that problem for at least a month.

Now, say a dealership had the timing cover off recently to do the chain, could they have misaligned the sensor so it nicks the rings, and builds up shavings?

If they didn't do it properly, that would be a possibility. I don't know if you'd be able to hear it hit against the rings or not. They'd have to be pretty sloppy, and the have a fancy-smancy alignment tool available to do the job. If they've worked on it, I'd also wonder if maybe they didn't seat the connector well, or knicked one of the wires.

Odd, my scan tool reports a Code 19: Crankshaft sensor circuit problem. But neither techinfo or my FSM say anything about 19. They skip from 18 to 21. I double checked with another scan, 17 and 19.

Here'* a web page that has 19 listed as for the crank sensor, but that it only runs to '91. Fuel pump is listed as the other possibility.

http://www.metzcon.com/racing/gm-ecm-codes.htm

Just can't make it easy.

John.. with the difference in our years..I'm not sure it all applies, however.

In the 97 FSM the crank sensor code diagnositics lead you first to coils and ICM, then plug wires and connections. Double check your ICM connection, I've seen it do what you mention.

Also.. I chased my problem for about 3-4 months... it was combined with another issue and I thought I was chasing a single issue. Intermittants are some of the toughest problems to solve.

The sensor has an alignment pin and two bolts, really no way to misalign it. If you decide to go after the sensor, my first suggestion would be to try and blow it out. Since they had the balancer off etc, something may be stuck to the magnet and be causing you an issue. Could also be the connection got some dirt or oil in it and isn't making good contact.

What are the threads of the HB? I need longer puller bolts.

Also, it'* been a little hard starting recently, and it usually wants to stall right after a cold start. After a quick little pedal push, it'* good to go. Could the crank sensor have anything to do with this? New plugs didn't help.