1999 jeep grand cherokee 4.7 crankshaft position sensor location

Hey ya'll I am having intermittent issues with my Jeep stalling while driving after a few minutes or at idle speed and after warm up. The codes for pcm not getting signal from cps/cpk "crankshaft positioning sensor" came up. So now that I've gotten that far how the heck do you get to the bugger, take the tire and inner tire panel off or drop the trany? I got a chilten with microscopic pic's and a fellow said I would need a pully puller, I think I can handle it with a lil direction. How bout it fellow Jeepers, a brotha could use some help, its our only car right now. 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7L

Um I have no idea where you got all that bs but the crankshaft sensor on the 4.7 V8 has just a single bolt holding it in. Its on the side of the block near the rear right up from the oil pan and right above/behind the starter. Its not super easy to get to but its not that hard to get a wrench on the bolt. I didnt have to remove the starter when I did mine.

All you need to do is undo the connector, loosen the bolt, pull the old out, insert the new, tighten the bolt, and reinsert the connector. Thats it. No dropping anything to get to it.

Most people have to drop the starter to even get a hand up there to unplug the connector. If you are clever, you can manipulate starter to gain access to the sensor without removing the cables. Go ahead and actually locate the sensor, and then you will have a better idea of what is required to replace it.

EDIT: Since you started this thread twice, you need to delete the duplicate.

Fella's thanks for the intellegence/experience. I used a mirror to locate the cps/cpk a top of the starter three wires to it connected to the bell housing between block and transmission passenger side. Sure enough one bolt and a connector. Looks like the starter will have to come down (two bolts) to work on it. I think it may be wise to disconnect the battery cable not to ark the starter during repair. To Kragen I go, 25 to 50 $. Thanks again.

So far so good on the repair day three, no issues.

Glad about the successful repair.

Kind of an old thread but I thought that I would chime in. rm2001wj has it right. Once you drop the starter the sensor is right there. No need to disconnect the starter wires, just unbolt the unit and tuck it up out of the way. I had a hard time getting the plug off the sensor. I had to unbolt it first and then get it unplugged. Thanks for the info in this thread, I had no idea where to find the sensor until I found this forum.

Thread resurrection!

Anytime you start playing around with the starter it's a good idea to disconnect the negative battery terminal. If you don't and you're under there and you have the starter out and it hits just right, fireworks!

Kind of an old thread but I thought that I would chime in. rm2001wj has it right. Once you drop the starter the sensor is right there. No need to disconnect the starter wires, just unbolt the unit and tuck it up out of the way. I had a hard time getting the plug off the sensor. I had to unbolt it first and then get it unplugged. Thanks for the info in this thread, I had no idea where to find the sensor until I found this forum.

I have the starter loose and out of the way, the sensor unbolted from the block, but am having a difficult time getting the connector and the sensor apart. Any tips?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks

Most people have to drop the starter to even get a hand up there to unplug the connector. If you are clever, you can manipulate starter to gain access to the sensor without removing the cables. Go ahead and actually locate the sensor, and then you will have a better idea of what is required to replace it.

Thanks for the CORRECT info! A mechanic replaced my crankshaft position sensor 6 months ago for $130, so I decided to do it myself this time for $32. This is the first repair I've ever done myself (other than change a tire or battery). So if I can do it, anybody can!

There's a lot of misinformation out there, and I got hung up on camshaft position sensor vs. crankshaft position sensor acronyms and 4.0L vs 4.7L vs. HO 4.7L engines' sensor locations.

So here's the steps (dumbed down for people like me) I used to replace it in my 2002 Overland:

1-Drive up on ramps
2-Disconnect negative terminal of battery
3-Lay under passenger side where the back of the engine meets with the transmission bell housing. You'll see the starter, but not the crank sensor. You may be able to slide your hand above the starter and feel the sensor and wire.
4-Using 15mm socket wrench, unscrew the 2 starter bolts, 1 below the starter front-side, the other above rear-side.
5-Carefully remove starter and lower it a few inches, to rest on top of exhaust pipe. You should now have enough room to see and get to the sensor without removing the wires from the starter (I could get both hands up there).
6-If you can, unplug the connector from the sensor by depressing the tab on the opposite side as the bolt.
7-Using 13mm socket wrench, unscrew the 1 sensor bolt and remove old sensor.
8-Plug in and reinsert new sensor, making sure it's flush.
9-Reverse steps and start the car to confirm.

Thanks again

Thanks for the info,im sure it will help alot of forum members.

I used a 1/4" 10mm socket on a swivel with a 10" extension on my 4.0. Had my wife up top to get her lil hands in there and guide me. Wasn't too bad.

Hi all - having the same issue. Replaced the CPK sensor it drove great through one commute and now it's having the same issue with cutting out and running rough - gauges acting funny. Codes from before we replaced the sensor were P1391 and P0320.

Mopar or aftermarket sensor?

If it's an aftermarket sensor from the local parts store then take it back and go buy a Mopar unit from your local dealer or one of the numerous Mopar online wholesalers.

is there a thread with photos on how/what to do?

if not, i will be doing the crank sensor this weekend (00 4.7, i've put it off for a couple months now) and it seems the crank one gives people lots of problems? if there isnt a thread already, i'll take pics of all the steps just so theres a better reference on what to do

is there a thread with photos on how/what to do?

if not, i will be doing the crank sensor this weekend (00 4.7, i've put it off for a couple months now) and it seems the crank one gives people lots of problems? if there isnt a thread already, i'll take pics of all the steps just so theres a better reference on what to do

Refer to replace/install instructions as posted in this thread.

Pics below is starter un bolted and moved back resting on exhaust. Other pic is the location of crank.

awesome. now i have a better idea how buried this thing is lol

i changed the cam sensor a month ago, but the code came back up today, and stalled out for the first time today. few times in one trip, so i guess that means its REALLY time to change it

Another resurrection of this thread...

Mama-Mia! I'm having one heck of a time getting the 4.7 Crankshaft Position Sensor sensor out from the block. I've tried prying it with a big screwdriver under the metal tab and plastic "rib" only to break off both. I was able to disconnect the... connection, and rotate/wiggle with pliers! But can't get enough leverage to pull it out of the block. Been spraying with the Liquid Wrench a number of times. Anyway I'm concerned about breaking it and not being able to get it out of the block. I'm definitely chewing it up with pliers and screwdrivers.

Does anyone have any other suggestions getting the sensor out?

Thanks Everyone!

One more for Mopar

Here's one more voice STRONGLY recommending a Mopar sensor. I had a shop replace the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) in my '01 4.7L Grand, and shortly thereafter began having a whole host of small problems. Increased fuel consumption, smoking exhaust, rough idle, no gears other than 2nd (I think it was 2nd), several error codes (P0700, P0320, P1281, P0456), refusal to rev above 2500 rpms, and eventually refusal to start. The problems were intermittent at first, and slowly increased in severity until the no start condition. I read in this thread about aftermarket vs Mopar sensors, and decided to pick up a Mopar one even though the sensor was new and I wasn't sure it was aftermarket.

I jacked up the vehicle, removed the 2 bolts on the starter (read earlier entries in this thread for a more detailed description), left the starter cables attached, and gained access to the CKP. As usual, it was difficult to get the clip off, but knowing that the release tab was opposite the mounting bolt helped. The bolt holding mine in was a 10mm, not a 13mm as stated in some other threads. I had to wrestle it a bit, but the sensor eventually came out. I compared it to the Mopar one and noted several differences that convinced me it was indeed a non-OEM part. I got to work putting in the Mopar one. It was difficult to fully insert the new sensor, but it eventually went in. I buttoned everything up and it started right up.

It is a tight space to work in, but it will go with regular sockets, ratchets and extensions, even with my big hands. Do it yourself--good luck! Oh, and bring a head lamp.

i've just been through removing the crankshaft position sensor on my 2000 4.7 v8 today so i thought i might add some other points on the removal of the sensor from the block. i'm female so maybe had the advantage of smaller hands in that tight space!

taking off the 2 bolts that hold the starter was tougher than expected as they were in there tight but with adding a pipe over the bottom of my ratchet got some extra leverage and broke them loose. it was easy to shove the starter out of the way and then on to tackle the sensor bolt. it looked quite rusted so i sprayed some rust dissolver on it first and left it to work its magic.

my best tools for working in that tight space was a short stubby flexible head ratchet that i got off amazon. got the bolt off and tried wiggling the sensor out of its hole. there was a little movement in it but i couldn't manage to pull it out. the o ring was obviously holding on tight. i sprayed loads of rust dissolver on it, twisted the sensor around and hoped that some of it would work its way down. left it to work for a while and then tried getting at the sensor with a long screwdriver but still no luck.

i kept wiggling and twisting it around but still wouldn't pop out. i was nervous about applying too much pressure as read all the forum posts where people broke theirs in place and i didn't want that to happen, so i tried to proceed gently but firmly. kept spraying more rust dissolver on it, twisted it around and would take pause to regroup to think about what else to try.

eventually i tried my short crowbar on it, by twisting the metal bolt holder part around to use a leverage and gently started applying pressure to pry it out. i could then feel "the give" and slowly but surely it popped out.

anyhow i hope this helps someone else. i don;t know if this will solve my problem...jeep has been idling badly last few weeks and stalling, especially when in reverse. had the p171 code, changed the precat o2 sensors(california emissions) then started getting the cylinder 1 misfire code. then yesterday it just wouldn't start...the engine cranks but no start. no error codes on the dash for crank sensor but had this happen on another grand cherokee of mine so will try replacing this first and see what happens. 99K miles so it's probably due anyhow,