Glossary / General

crank sensor

23 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

The crank sensor tells the car's computer how fast the engine is turning. This helps the car know when to inject fuel and fire the spark plugs.

Technical Definition

The crank sensor, or crankshaft position sensor, monitors the position and rotational speed of the crankshaft. This information is crucial for the engine control unit to manage fuel injection and ignition timing effectively.

Hear It Discussed

"It was a new crank sensor or engine speed sensor this year. Then it was a mass airflow sensor in June."
#2610: Runaway Inflation The Best of Car Talk 09:18

"My first thought when you have an attack do that and acting like yours is doing is [1786.9s] the crank sensor on these key as we put a number of those in. [1790.3s] If that crankshaft sensor is..."
The Motor Medics Helping People to Repair Their Cars Over The Phone Under The Hood show 29:46

"One shop put in a fuel pump, another shop put in a crank sensor. Neither"
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - June 6, 2026 - Hour 2 Ron Ananian The Car Doctor 33:27