Car shut off during idle
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Re: Car shut off during idle
I was under the assumption that it wouldn't turn over at all if the CPS was bad, but I've been wrong a time or two in my short span of 20 years on earth. Thanks for the help! Will post a conclusion if the replacement solves problems. If not, I'll be back for more questions! Also, I know they are affected by heat.. so what can I do to keep heat out? My dad suggested a starter wrap or heat reflective tape.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,780
Likes: 184
From: Lineville, AL
Re: Car shut off during idle
I was under the assumption that it wouldn't turn over at all if the CPS was bad, but I've been wrong a time or two in my short span of 20 years on earth. Thanks for the help! Will post a conclusion if the replacement solves problems. If not, I'll be back for more questions! Also, I know they are affected by heat.. so what can I do to keep heat out? My dad suggested a starter wrap or heat reflective tape.
You really cannot heat shield it, it mounts to the engine block just above the flywheel, so any engine heat will be conducted to it regardless of what you do.
The CPS is just a rod magnet with turns of wire wound around it. Think of it as a mini-generator, as the flywheel spins below it, it is excited by either a notch or a high point ( not sure which ) in the flywheel once per revolution. This signal is monitored by the PTCM and is used to set the base timing. The camshaft position sensor is then used to tell the PTCM the EXACT engine position, then it consults it's magical programming and factors in all sorts of other sensors to arrive at when to fire the plugs.
The camshaft position sensor is a "Hall Effect" sensor, means it has a transistor in it that is triggered by a magnet in the passenger side camshaft.
The CPS, or crankshaft position sensor is a "reluctance head pickup" in industry terms, means it has no electronic parts, just a magnet and coil.
We have found that the non-Bosch CPS sensors from China seem to have thinner pins for the harness to connect to, therefore the connection is not as secure.
NOTE: There is a guard shield around the CPS mounted by 2 of the bell housing bolts, it you remove this shield you will have much easier access to replace it.
This is however an extra step that many prefer not to do. ( Put the shield back on when you are done )
Last edited by ala_xfire; Apr 11, 2017 at 06:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Re: Car shut off during idle
Yes, the engine will turn over with a bad CPS.
You really cannot heat shield it, it mounts to the engine block just above the flywheel, so any engine heat will be conducted to it regardless of what you do.
The CPS is just a rod magnet with turns of wire wound around it. Think of it as a mini-generator, as the flywheel spins below it, it is excited by either a notch or a high point ( not sure which ) in the flywheel once per revolution. This signal is monitored by the PTCM and is used to set the base timing. The camshaft position sensor is then used to tell the PTCM the EXACT engine position, then it consults it's magical programming and factors in all sorts of other sensors to arrive at when to fire the plugs.
The camshaft position sensor is a "Hall Effect" sensor, means it has a transistor in it that is triggered by a magnet in the passenger side camshaft.
The CPS, or crankshaft position sensor is a "reluctance head pickup" in industry terms, means it has no electronic parts, just a magnet and coil.
We have found that the non-Bosch CPS sensors from China seem to have thinner pins for the harness to connect to, therefore the connection is not as secure.
NOTE: There is a guard shield around the CPS mounted by 2 of the bell housing bolts, it you remove this shield you will have much easier access to replace it.
This is however an extra step that many prefer not to do. ( Put the shield back on when you are done )
You really cannot heat shield it, it mounts to the engine block just above the flywheel, so any engine heat will be conducted to it regardless of what you do.
The CPS is just a rod magnet with turns of wire wound around it. Think of it as a mini-generator, as the flywheel spins below it, it is excited by either a notch or a high point ( not sure which ) in the flywheel once per revolution. This signal is monitored by the PTCM and is used to set the base timing. The camshaft position sensor is then used to tell the PTCM the EXACT engine position, then it consults it's magical programming and factors in all sorts of other sensors to arrive at when to fire the plugs.
The camshaft position sensor is a "Hall Effect" sensor, means it has a transistor in it that is triggered by a magnet in the passenger side camshaft.
The CPS, or crankshaft position sensor is a "reluctance head pickup" in industry terms, means it has no electronic parts, just a magnet and coil.
We have found that the non-Bosch CPS sensors from China seem to have thinner pins for the harness to connect to, therefore the connection is not as secure.
NOTE: There is a guard shield around the CPS mounted by 2 of the bell housing bolts, it you remove this shield you will have much easier access to replace it.
This is however an extra step that many prefer not to do. ( Put the shield back on when you are done )
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,358
Likes: 794
From: Central South Carolina
Re: Car shut off during idle
I appreciate you and tighed being such knowledgeable guys that are willing to help. The car is driving fine now.. so it has to be the crank sensor. Probably on its way out but still clinging to life. I ordered a new one from Amazon for $27 before tax. Hopefully we are in the clear and can close yet another no start thread!
You got a BOSCH CPS for $27.00? That seems to be a very good price! Are you sure it is not a BOSCH replacement (they hide crazy sheit like this in the fine print). .
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 648
From: Ontario
Re: Car shut off during idle
Yes, the engine will turn over with a bad CPS.
You really cannot heat shield it, it mounts to the engine block just above the flywheel, so any engine heat will be conducted to it regardless of what you do.
The CPS is just a rod magnet with turns of wire wound around it. Think of it as a mini-generator, as the flywheel spins below it, it is excited by either a notch or a high point ( not sure which ) in the flywheel once per revolution. This signal is monitored by the PTCM and is used to set the base timing. The camshaft position sensor is then used to tell the PTCM the EXACT engine position, then it consults it's magical programming and factors in all sorts of other sensors to arrive at when to fire the plugs.
The camshaft position sensor is a "Hall Effect" sensor, means it has a transistor in it that is triggered by a magnet in the passenger side camshaft.
The CPS, or crankshaft position sensor is a "reluctance head pickup" in industry terms, means it has no electronic parts, just a magnet and coil.
We have found that the non-Bosch CPS sensors from China seem to have thinner pins for the harness to connect to, therefore the connection is not as secure.
NOTE: There is a guard shield around the CPS mounted by 2 of the bell housing bolts, it you remove this shield you will have much easier access to replace it.
This is however an extra step that many prefer not to do. ( Put the shield back on when you are done )
You really cannot heat shield it, it mounts to the engine block just above the flywheel, so any engine heat will be conducted to it regardless of what you do.
The CPS is just a rod magnet with turns of wire wound around it. Think of it as a mini-generator, as the flywheel spins below it, it is excited by either a notch or a high point ( not sure which ) in the flywheel once per revolution. This signal is monitored by the PTCM and is used to set the base timing. The camshaft position sensor is then used to tell the PTCM the EXACT engine position, then it consults it's magical programming and factors in all sorts of other sensors to arrive at when to fire the plugs.
The camshaft position sensor is a "Hall Effect" sensor, means it has a transistor in it that is triggered by a magnet in the passenger side camshaft.
The CPS, or crankshaft position sensor is a "reluctance head pickup" in industry terms, means it has no electronic parts, just a magnet and coil.
We have found that the non-Bosch CPS sensors from China seem to have thinner pins for the harness to connect to, therefore the connection is not as secure.
NOTE: There is a guard shield around the CPS mounted by 2 of the bell housing bolts, it you remove this shield you will have much easier access to replace it.
This is however an extra step that many prefer not to do. ( Put the shield back on when you are done )
Buy and install only the Bosch CPS, as we say here "Buy Bosch or walk home", in fact buy two and keep one with the tools required to install it in the trunk. I keep one plus a camshaft position sensor and a RCM in my trunk. I also have a puncture
repair kit and a paid up membership in the Canadian Automobile Association for when I am really up to my neck in it.
Last edited by onehundred80; Apr 12, 2017 at 01:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Re: Car shut off during idle
Yes sir I bought this one. Hoping it's the right one!
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Re: Car shut off during idle
You can take out the screw holding the CPS in place before removing the plug from it, this is easier than trying to remove the plug in place. Reverse this procedure when putting the new CPS in place. This way there is not much point in removing the shield.
Buy and install only the Bosch CPS, as we say here "Buy Bosch or walk home", in fact buy two and keep one with the tools required to install it in the trunk. I keep one plus a camshaft position sensor and a RCM in my trunk. I also have a puncture
repair kit and a paid up membership in the Canadian Automobile Association for when I am really up to my neck in it.
Buy and install only the Bosch CPS, as we say here "Buy Bosch or walk home", in fact buy two and keep one with the tools required to install it in the trunk. I keep one plus a camshaft position sensor and a RCM in my trunk. I also have a puncture
repair kit and a paid up membership in the Canadian Automobile Association for when I am really up to my neck in it.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 648
From: Ontario
Re: Car shut off during idle
Based on the perverse way that life situations occur, if you were to fill your trunk with these items you could guarantee that you would never need one of them. However if you do not carry a single one of them you can be sure that at the least opportune moment you would surely need one.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,780
Likes: 184
From: Lineville, AL
Re: Car shut off during idle
Based on the perverse way that life situations occur, if you were to fill your trunk with these items you could guarantee that you would never need one of them. However if you do not carry a single one of them you can be sure that at the least opportune moment you would surely need one.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Re: Car shut off during idle
Based on the perverse way that life situations occur, if you were to fill your trunk with these items you could guarantee that you would never need one of them. However if you do not carry a single one of them you can be sure that at the least opportune moment you would surely need one.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,780
Likes: 184
From: Lineville, AL
Re: Car shut off during idle
Sure looks like the genuine item, but you can only be sure after you receive it and have a look see !
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Re: Car shut off during idle
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,358
Likes: 794
From: Central South Carolina
Re: Car shut off during idle
Only thing I can confirm, is that it SAYS it is an actual OE part. When you get it, compare the name and part number as Bosch. If this seller is legit, it'll be authentic. If authentic, I believe it is the lowest price I ever saw for it. .
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Re: Car shut off during idle
GREAT catch!
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Re: Car shut off during idle
Drove the car to work today! Still haven't replaced the CPS because I've been hunting a socket for it and haven't had time due to working two jobs.. gotta support the crossy somehow! Still driving fine and I figured W.T.H, I only live five miles from work so why not? Boy, I missed it!!!
