Crank Sensor Replacement

99sierra5.3 · March 22, 2011

Hi all, signed up for this site awhile back but was able to find most of my questions by using the search, but not with this. Recently my truck ( 99 sierra 5.3 vortec 4x4 ECSB ) started backfiring and shut off on me. I had the codes read and it came back with crank sensor. So I go to the local GM dealership to order a new crank sensor and they tell me that after I install the crank sensor I have to bring it back and have them hook the computer up to my truck and program something? This is second hand information as i had to get my father to pick the sensor up while i was away in school all week. So is this true what they are telling me or are they trying to charge me for use of their system? I won't get to install the sensor until friday but if the truck runs fine the only thing i can see them wanting to do is remove the old code? anyways let me know any thoughts. thanks.

Duelin · March 22, 2011

Hi all, signed up for this site awhile back but was able to find most of my questions by using the search, but not with this. Recently my truck ( 99 sierra 5.3 vortec 4x4 ECSB ) started backfiring and shut off on me. I had the codes read and it came back with crank sensor. So I go to the local GM dealership to order a new crank sensor and they tell me that after I install the crank sensor I have to bring it back and have them hook the computer up to my truck and program something? This is second hand information as i had to get my father to pick the sensor up while i was away in school all week. So is this true what they are telling me or are they trying to charge me for use of their system? I won't get to install the sensor until friday but if the truck runs fine the only thing i can see them wanting to do is remove the old code? anyways let me know any thoughts. thanks.

When you change the Crank Sensor you have to do a CASE relearn with a scan tool. If you know someone with a scan tool that is capable of doing CASE relearn then you won't have to go back to the dealer.

99sierra5.3 · March 24, 2011

well, my father picked up the crank sensor and even installed it for me apparently. Really appreciated that, but he only made it half way around the block and apparently the truck started acting weird along with the tach messing up then it died. He wasn't able to re-start it and had to get a tow home. Could this be a wiring problem? He's going to get the codes read again tomorrow, but from what i understood was i would be able to drive it without getting the CASE relearn done for a short period of time and just might get a check engine light. I had all intentions of getting the relearn process done at the dealership on friday but now it looks as though i may have other problems? any ideas would be greatly appreciated, thanks !