Crankshaft Position Sensor

[JoshErnst1074]

So I swapped my 1989 motor with a 1995 2.3 motor in my ranger. I've had serious problems since then, and I'm wondering if there is a difference between a 1989 crankshaft position sensor and a 1995 crankshaft position sensor besides an 80 dollar price difference. I'm wondering whether the truck is running terribly because the '95 CPS isn't compatible with my ecu, or is it just broken and I can replace it.

 

[Earl43P]

I suspect that your 89 is the same as a 93 (which I am familiar with).
The earlier 2.3 Crank Sensor had a dual function, providing both the PIP (Profile Ignition Pulse) and CID (Cylinder ID) signals (meaning it doesn't have or need a cam sensor which your newer engine had).

If an 89 to 93 Crank sensor will bolt on and connect, I would do so. That depends upon which harness you installed with the engine, of course. If you used the 89 harness, you obviously couldn't even connect to the cam sensor on that engine. If you used the 95 harness, you have a big issue, as in needing a different harness.

Or, get a 95 ECU to match your 95 harness (if that's what is installed).

So yes, there is a major difference in the Crank Sensor.

 

[JoshErnst1074]

I'm using the original 1989 harness and it plugs in just fine to the 1995 CPS plug. Didn't know if there was a different resistance or something else. I feel like it should be fine, I just don't know why a 1989 CPS costs 120 bucks and a 1995 costs 20 bucks.

 

[JoshErnst1074]

Additional info I've replaced every fuel component including the pump, every sensor but the CPS, all relays, alternator, almost everything on the whole truck. It runs better with the lights on or blower motor on, otherwise it stalls out and dies. I've troubleshooted the entire charging system, all my grounds, made sure the injectors were fine, I've been very thorough. When I unplug the alternator it also runs better. I know it sounds like a voltage regulator or something wrong with the charging system but I've troubleshooted that entire system already. I've read somewhere a bad CPS may cause that. I'm not sure. this all started 3 hours after the engine running perfect. Now it keeps wanting to die unless I put a load on the system. (Blower motor or headlights)

 

[Mark_88]

My thinking is if it actually runs fine (with the lights or blower on) then there is nothing wrong with the CPS because it would have a set of symptoms all it's own with or without the lights on...so I'd go with your initial thinking of bad wiring somewhere.

Did you check the feeds through the firewall to see if there were any chaffed wires?

Did you check each wire connector for loose wires?

An 89 harness is getting up there and you'd be surprised what a loose connector can do to the power delivery system. Considering you've replaced all the mechanical parts (except the CPS) I would again be looking for a wiring issue...

Anything else that was not stock wired into this?

A guy on here recently replaced something that he thought was totally unrelated to a ticking noise in his truck found that there was a chaffed wire that was shorting out and only looked there as a last resort...of course...when you find the problem it is always the last place you look...

 

[tinman_72]

The '95 should have a cog style wheel for the sensor to pickup from while the earlier engines have a completely different style. You should have used the sensor from the '89. How did you get everything else to fit? You should have all the same issues I had when I put a '98 2.5 into my '93. (See page two for pics.)

 

[adsm08]

What is your charging voltage with all the accessories off?

Also, "troubleshooted" is not a word. The word is "troubleshot".

 

[vstar650ca]

a engine swap with different year includes the ecm.Don't expect a 89 to know what a 95 is telling it.

 

[4b316]

I know I asked you before,how did you change the crank sensor over to the newer block?You are using all the 89 components?What about the cam sensor?Are you using the 89 intake on the 95 motor?

 

[Ozwynn]

you need the specific ecm for the harness you used. Different ecm will pin out differently even if the connector connector connects.

 

[JoshErnst1074]

Okay, so to clear things up, both engines have all the same sensors. And it turns out the motor that's in there does have the same CPS as the '89. I used the trucks harness for the new engine but I had to swap the old intake manifold onto the new engine because the trucks wiring harness couldn't reach some of the connectors. They are all the same sensors on the intake manifold but ford just decided to move some of them just far enough away to where it wouldn't reach. I'm at a loss here. I have no idea what the problem is. All the connectors are the same I just don't get it. I'll take any advice at this point I'm burned out.

 

[4b316]

I just don't understand how it could be all the same connectors if it is a 95.Did you drill holes in the block of the 95 to accept the 89 crank sensor?What did you do with the difference of the coil/alternater bracket?Where you plug in the cam sensor from the 95?Not trying to be a dick here but need to know these things as these are all problems that we have been thur in the past.

 

[JoshErnst1074]

I understand. I found out today that the junkyard didn't know and said it was a 95 now I believe it's a 1990. Did 1990 engines move the other coil pack to the same side? Just trying to confirm it's a 1990. Yeah it runs fine with the alternator unplugged. Had to change over the old alternator bracket because the pulleys weren't lining up. Oh and the crank sensor on the new engine was never changed. It ended up being the same as the 89. Which is why I think the junkyard lied.

 

[JoshErnst1074]

Now I'm thinking the ecu fried. Because now it's not starting at all. It's turning over with the starter but it's not starting at all.

 

[4b316]

Ok,thats a little different.did you remount the gray box on the side of the intake?make sure you have a good ground in the upper left corner screw,this is the only ground that it gets and it has to be good.did you have the crank hub off?did you bend a vane on the reluctor and it hit the sensor?Have you unhooked the battery so it can reboot?It sounds like it might be a little newer than that,does it have a cam sensor where the dist used to go?