How to Replace a Crankshaft Sensor on a 1994 Olds 88

by John Stevens J.D.

The 1994 model-year Oldsmobile 88 is equipped with a 3.8 liter six-cylinder engine. The engine features a single crankshaft position sensor at the front of the engine, just above the crankshaft pulley. However, the sensor is concealed behind a shield. To access and remove the shield, the front of the engine must be exposed by removing one wheel and the harmonic balancer. Although the process might seem daunting as compared with replacing the sensor on most other vehicles, the procedure to do so requires a few basic steps.

Step 1

Remove the drive belt by lowering the belt's tension pulley with a wrench and lifting the belt off of the crankshaft pulley.

Step 2

Lift the front of the car with a jack and then lower it onto jack stands.

Step 3

Remove the front wheel on the driver's side of the car with a lug nut wrench to access the fender's splash shield.

Step 4

Pry the splash shield's fittings away from the shield with a screwdriver and pull the shield away from the car to access the harmonic balancer.

Step 5

Remove the harmonic balancer's retaining bolt with a deep-set socket wrench and remove the balancer from the crankshaft with a balancer puller to access the crankshaft position sensor's shield. Follow the puller's instructions closely as designs do vary.

Step 6

Remove the sensor's shield by removing the shield's securing bolts and pulling the shield away from the engine to expose the sensor.

Step 7

Unplug the sensor's wiring harness.

Step 8

Remove the two bolts that secure the sensor against the engine and withdraw the sensor from the engine.

Step 9

Insert the new sensor into the engine block and tighten the sensor's two securing bolts to between 14 and 28 foot-pounds of torque with a torque wrench.

Step 10

Plug the sensor's wiring harness into the sensor.

Step 11

Position the sensor's shield against the sensor and install the shield's securing bolts.

Step 12

Position the harmonic balancer onto the tip of the crankshaft and tighten the balancer's bolt to 100 foot-pounds of torque. Tighten the bolt again an additional 7-degrees.