Does anyone have detailed instructions on replacing the crank angle sensor without removing the mounting bracket or needing special tools on 2013 BT50 3.2TD auto. I have been having intermittent cranking but not starting. It tries to fire but won't run. If I can get it going it runs perfectly. It let me down while I was away and when I eventually got it going I drove it 70kms to get it home. Now won't start all all. Cranks over fine. I have checked fuel flow from the tank and it pumps plenty of fuel with the key on. There are no fault codes of any description at all. The only other symptom is when running the amber! warning light flashes on occasionally for 5-10 seconds. Never done that before. No other indications at all. I thought I might remove the crank sensor and see if it is damaged but I am worried I might not get it back in the right place. I live in the bush and can't afford to pay someone to come out especially since there isn't any codes to work with. I don't really have a starting point but crank angle sensors apparently can cause these symptoms without throwing any codes. Any help is much appreciated.

 

1st off DO NOT remove the mounting bracket. The sensor can easily be removed without touching the bracket.

The genuine sensors come with a gel or plastic coating on the tip of the sensor, so when you gentle slot the sensor into place ( with no pressure downwards) it sits on the pick up ring & when the engine starts it shaves that coating off & works perfectly.

The Cam position sensor also plays up on these motors.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Update: I have replaced the crank angle sensor but didn't fix the problem. Just received a new cam angle sensor and it also didn't fix the problem. I am now looking at fuel system due to the current symptoms. What happens during cranking is sometimes it will crank and crank without any attempt to fire, other times it might crank and then fire but not run but other times (not often) it will crank for a bit then start and run for a few seconds then just stop dead. The interesting thing I found today is during these short runs if I pump the throttle it will attempt to run just like an old carbureted engine that has just run out of fuel. You get these feeble attempts to run before the engine quits. I am using an OBDLink MX+ scanner with OBDLink software. It still doesn't show any fault codes, pending, temporary or permanent. I haven't been able to justify the forscan sofware subscription up until now. What I did try, I tapped the common rail pressure sensor with a hammer and it then started but only ran for 3-5 seconds and then stopped dead. Wouldn't start again after that. I removed it but there isn't anything to see. The hole in the sensor was clean. I checked fuel flow out of the filter to the engine and it was good. I replaced the fuel filter even though it was about 8 thousand Ks old. No dirt, debris or water in the filter assembly. I am thinking maybe the fuel suction control valve on the back of the high pressure pump or the common rail sensor. I don't think it would be the high pressure pump as when it runs it seems OK. When I last drove it It wouldn't start but I eventually got it going and drove it home 70 kms without any symptoms. The next day it was back to not starting. Any help is much appreciated. Parts swapping for troubleshooting is becoming expensive. Thanks.