Engine issue after head gasket job
Engine issue after head gasket job
Okay so I bought a 2002 civic ex 5 speed for $500 this week. All it needed was a head gasket and cv axle. I did the gasket, water pump timing belt and crank sensor. Went to start the car and it would barely start and run like crap. Well after a few minutes it leveled off and idled okay. But now it won’t rev past 3500 rpm and it’s hard to start. CEL only shows crank sensor circuit A p0336. I checked the plug it’s plugged in good. Terminal 1 gets 5v when grounded. Jumping 1 and 2 only gets 5v as well when jumping those two isnsuppose to get battery voltage if I’m correct. Grounding terminal 3 gets battery voltage. So all seems good with the circuit and plug except the fact that jumping 1&2 only gets 5v instead of battery voltage. Any ideas what could cause this? Also I noticed the timing gear behind the crank seems to have a tooth missing or ground off. Not sure if that would make this code pop up and cause this issue. Any ideas ????
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
Chances are that unplugging the crank sensor connector is what is causing your issue.
Check out this thread for more info: https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...ml#post4751750
Check out this thread for more info: https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...ml#post4751750
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
You may have coolant in the connector since it points up like a bowl for coolant to collect in when you pull the water pump, if you did the pump. Unplug it and use a Q tip to clean the inside of the sensor connection, let it sit over night then clear the ECU after plugging the crank sensor back in and start it.
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
Alright I’m gonna try to clean the connector later today. The sensor is brand new so I’d hope that isn’t the issue. But I noticed on the timing gear behind the crank on of the teeth is shorter than the rest. Almost like it was ground down or broken or something. Would one tooth missing cause this issue ?
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
Never paid a lot of attention to that, possible its index mark so the ECU knows where everything is at.
Due to confusing nature of “I replaced the part and it still does t work”. We see a lot of people search out this forum, very possible that new sensor you bought if not from a actual Honda dealer could be the issue too.
Due to confusing nature of “I replaced the part and it still does t work”. We see a lot of people search out this forum, very possible that new sensor you bought if not from a actual Honda dealer could be the issue too.
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
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"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,637
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222 






Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
There's at least a dozen threads of people putting in aftermarket sensors and having problems. Make sure you clean out the connector really well with electrical contact cleaner
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
Okay well, update. The sensor was special order so I had to wait a week for it to show up. It finally comes in the mail, I throw it on, out it back together and nothing. Won’t start at all. Finally it starts and redlines at 3500 still in limp mode. Shut the car off, no start again until you try for over a minute. Same issue. I take the sensor off and it’s denso. Is that even a Honda OEM? I paid for and ordered oem Honda. Same code, crankshaft position sensor A range/ operation. Starting to get pissed at this point honestly. Now to my original question, I still notice one of the teeth on the crank gear is missing or been broken off. Could that cause all of this even with a good sensor.
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
The crank is back on now. But one tooth is clearly shorter than the rest on the timing gear behind the crank.
Mig you’re asking about the sensor is says denso on it
Mig you’re asking about the sensor is says denso on it
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
I'm not going to say that's the issue for sure because I don't know. However, I do not recall any tooth being shorter than the others last time I looked at a timing gear. I have one at home I can verify on later today. With the one being shorter I would think it would be sending incorrect signals back to the PCM, possibly throwing the fault you're experiencing. A new one from Honda is only like $25, and it isn't that difficult to replace if you have a technique down for removing the crankshaft pulley.
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
I'm not going to say that's the issue for sure because I don't know. However, I do not recall any tooth being shorter than the others last time I looked at a timing gear. I have one at home I can verify on later today. With the one being shorter I would think it would be sending incorrect signals back to the PCM, possibly throwing the fault you're experiencing. A new one from Honda is only like $25, and it isn't that difficult to replace if you have a technique down for removing the crankshaft pulley.
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
I’m gonna gonoutside and remove mine and take a picture. I bet one of the teeth being broke is throwing the computer off with timing and sending it to limp mode
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
Alright well finally got the crank tool and pulled the crank tonight and my eyes didn’t fool me, there is a tooth broken. Well I’d already gone by my gut and ordered the timing gear and had it waiting. Tore everything apart and put t back together in maybe 20 minutes and now the car runs like a champ! Thanks everyone for the insight and suggestions. Glad this one is finally taken care of 🤘🏻
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
Actually looks like 2 broken off teeth... likely some bolt got in there and got chewed up..
Before I blame cheap sensors next time I will also leave option for chewed up gear.
Awesome job getting it fixed.
Before I blame cheap sensors next time I will also leave option for chewed up gear.
Awesome job getting it fixed.
Re: Engine issue after head gasket job
I’ll have to look closer, it’s def at least one. This little tooth has cause me so much headache and head scratching this last week and a half. But it makes sense. The ecu is looking for a certain amount of teeth to go by that sensor to control the spark timing, and that missing tooth or two was throwing the computer off making t think the sensor wasn’t working properly.
But thanks bud I’m glad she’s back running. Driving the ram hemi to work is killing me in gas when I’m used to $20 lasting at least a work week or more lol
But thanks bud I’m glad she’s back running. Driving the ram hemi to work is killing me in gas when I’m used to $20 lasting at least a work week or more lol
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