Not running on all cylinders..

[SEMI_287]

Well I recently got a P0336 code for the 24x crank position sensor. I changed that today and it runs but it sounds as if its running on 4 or 5 cylinders, well it definitely is. There Service Engine Soon light was flashing the whole test drive. I go home shut it off and restart it and there is no check engine light but it still runs like [censored]. Does anyone have any ideas? It's missing through the whole rev range. Plugs and wires done not 5k miles ago.

This is on my 03 Grand Am with a 3.4 V6 by the way.

 

[MolaKule]

Make, year, engine?

 

[mechanicx]

I think it needs a relearn after replacing the 24x, but maybe it will relearn on its own without using a scanner.

 

[jsnyder49090]

I would start by cleaning all the connections for the sensor i havent had any experience with that code.But what i usually do is start reading what other people did and try to maybe weed some of them out depending on my actual symptoms.

 

[yonyon]

Is this for the Grand Am?

I f so I would suggest that you start by making sure the connector at the crank sensor and at the ignition control module are both fully seated and there are no wires broken off right at the connector. After that, pull the harmonic balancer back off and take a good look at the toothed wheel. If the wheel is a little loose you'll need a new one. Make sure the wheel isn't damaged. If you tried to put the balancer on crooked you could have borked the wheel.

 

[LeakySeals]

My mom used to say whats in your title.

 

[mechanicx]

If it's code PO336 and not P1336, i think there's still a problem with the circuit or sensor and not just a relearn. I mispoked. You'll need to test the circuit with voltmeter and inspect the sensor and connections.

 

[SEMI_287]

I disconnected and cleaned the sensor connector with electrical cleaner and found a loose plug wire. All is well now. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

 

[mechanicx]

That's great. Was the plug wire loose at the coil? I was going to say since you had a misfire on one cylinder that the diagnostics say secondary voltage leaking into the ignition module can set that code, but I thought that was a long shot.

 

[SEMI_287]

Yeah, I could see it arching in the dark last night. A shock later the car was running like new!

 

[yonyon]

That's not how you check for an arcing wire, you could get zapped that way! Instead, stand there with the hood open and scowl at the engine for a while. Occasionally reach down and wiggle some air a couple inches away from the suspected arcing wire. When a neighbor comes over because they can't help but ask what's going on, you point to the wire and say "I think this wire feels a little loose, but I'm not sure. What do you think?" That way you know if it's arcing without getting zapped.