How to Install a Crankshaft Sensor in a 2000 Olds Intrigue

Open the hood on the Intrigue. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery using an open-end wrench. Tuck the battery cable to the side of the battery so there is no chance of accidental contact throughout this process.

Raise the front of the Intrigue using a floor jack. Place jack stands beneath both front subframe rails, just inward from the lower control arms. Lower the Intrigue onto the jack stands.

Lie beneath the front bumper of the car and position yourself to remove the lower air deflector. Remove the deflector mounting bolts from the lower radiator core support cross-member using a ratchet and socket. Remove the plastic air dam and set it out of your work area.

Slide yourself in position to access the starter motor, on the lower driver's side of the engine. Remove the small plastic shield from the bottom of the motor, where the motor meets the transmission housing. Use the ratchet and socket to remove the single shield bolt, then remove the small plastic shield.

Carefully remove the starter wires from their posts using a ratchet and socket. The smaller wire or "S" terminal wire should be tucked downward below the starter to separate it from the thicker BAT wire. Make a mental note of the position of the starter solenoid, above the starter motor. The motor needs to be installed exactly as it is removed.

Remove the starter bolts from the bottom of the starter using a ratchet and socket. Leave one hand beneath the starter as you pull the second bolt so the starter does not fall down on you. Remove the starter from the engine, exposing the crankshaft position sensor on the lower front of the engine block.

Remove by hand the electrical connector from the crank sensor. Remove the single crank sensor mounting bolt using a ratchet and socket. Remove by hand the crank position sensor from the front of the engine. Pull the sensor out near the connector end; do not pry on the sensor bracket.

Inspect the mounting hole to ensure the old sensor O-ring was removed with the sensor. Remove the O-ring if it still is mounted in the mounting hole. Put on a pair of latex or mechanic-style gloves. Spray engine parts cleaner onto a rag. Wrap the rag around one of your fingers. Clean the crank sensor mounting hole of any debris, dirt or possible burrs. Clean with a dabbing motion rather than a wiping motion so you do not get any burrs stuck in your finger through the rag.

Lubricate the O-ring on the new crankshaft position sensor with a light coating of fresh engine oil. Insert the new sensor into the engine, with the outer angled section of the sensor facing upward. Do not twist the new sensor during installation or push on the mounting bracket. Install the crank sensor mounting bolt and tighten it to 80 inch-pounds using a 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench and socket. Do not over-tighten the bolt or you may ruin the new crankshaft position sensor. Install the electrical connector after you have torqued the crank sensor on the engine.

Install the starter motor horizontally into the transmission housing mounting hole, then push the motor upward onto the engine mounting surface. Install the starter motor bolts by hand to ensure proper threading, then tighten the bolts snug with your ratchet and socket. Torque the starter mounting bolts to 37 foot-pounds using a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket.

Install the BAT and "S: cable wires onto the starter solenoid. Tighten the BAT cable nut to 88 inch-pounds using the 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench and socket. Tighten the "S" cable to 17 inch-pounds. Install the plastic shield at the bottom of the starter motor, then tighten the shield bolt snug with the ratchet and socket.

Install the plastic air dam beneath the lower radiator core support cross-member. Tighten the mounting bolts snug using a ratchet and socket. Lift the front of the Intrigue off of jack stands, then remove the stands from beneath the car. Lower the Intrigue to the ground. Install the negative battery cable, and tighten it snug using an open-end wrench.

Take the vehicle directly to a shop so a trained professional can perform the engine relearn process on the Intrigue.