Ok, this is about a GM 3400 but I think the crankshaft sensor mounting is exactly the same as my 3800.

The car died on me out of town, and the shop I found, as part of their diagnostics, replaced the crankshaft sensor. It didn't help, so they put the old one back in. The problem ended up being something with the ignition, the part thats under the coils I think.

Anyway as soon as I left their shop, I noticed a very slight ticking that I had never heard before. I had the mechanic come out and listen to it, and of course he thought I was crazy that I could hear some "ticking" over a noisy 150K mile GM engine.

That was about 6 months ago. Recently the noise has gotten louder and once in a while the engine would "hicup" or hesitate for just a second. Now it will sometimes stall, and not always run right away again. I thought it was the timing chain but listening/looking at it again tonight I see the plug that plugs into the crank sensor - and its just bouncing all over the place! I think the sensor is just

So the shop must have not adjusted the sensor correctly when reinstalling. I'm hoping someone here has experience with the crankshaft sensor and can tell me - can it just vibrate loose, or do you think its been pushed completely out of its socket, ruining the threads on the block? Do you think the sensor is probably ruined?

I know, its hard to guess without taking it all apart, but maybe someone that knows what this sensor is like and how its mounted might have an idea. Its probably going to cost me $100+ just to have it looked at, then a few hundred more if I have the sensor replaced... so I'm debating just junking the car, its 16 years old now.

Thanks, sorry for the long post!

Take the car back to the shop that replaced the sensor and show them the loose component. Explain to them that you heard a ticking noise from the area and pointed it out to them at the time of the repair. Ask to speak with the manager or owner of the shop. They should make it right for you.

I wish, but it happened when I was out of town, its about 150+ miles away and I doubt the car would make it there. I'm going to take it to a local shop, if its just the sensor it shouldn't be more than $175 they said. I'll probably sent a letter to the original shop, with a copy of the new repair bill.

Everyone makes mistakes, but I wish they would have been able to catch it when I pointed out it was making a sound I had never heard before.

Where in Iowa are you located?

The car broke when I was visiting in Des Moines, Iowa. I live in Omaha, NE now, but used to live in Sioux City.

And when talking to the shop today I found out that this motor with the crank sensor problem does have the 3800. I thought it did but last time I called and talked to a shop they said that year only had the 3400.

Not really too close to Ames. Too bad, it is not that difficult to change out the CPS when you have the right tools.