Rep Power: 0

Hi, I have an 03 Civic LX with the 1.7l non vtec motor. 270k miles. Before I decided to post this, I searched and read every single thread on this forum as well as a few others that others who had this problem had posted, and I have tried every single thing that I could find to try to fix the issue, but nothing is working so far. My car is 4 months past expired inspection, and I need this fixed ASAP. Here is the backstory:

About 3 months ago, my head gasket blew, so I changed it and also did the timing belt/water pump as well. Unfortunately, my cheap *** got the timing belt and water pump kit off ebay for way less than Advancedauto wanted for one, and I've never had a problem with them before, but this one was my first. After the head gasket and stuff was all done, it ran great for about 2,000 miles. Then suddenly while I was driving I heard a loud pop sound, and the check engine light came on and the car started running rough. I checked it with my scanner, and it is throwing a code for the crank sensor (no signal). I drive it home and take it apart to find that the tensioner spring for the timing belt tensioner pulley had broke, and the spring got caught on the belt and on its way around, it smacked and shattered the crank sensor. How I made it home with it running fine, and how it didn't jump time whatsoever is beyond me, I think that was luck in itself. So I go to a local Honda dealer, get a new OEM tensioner spring, new timing belt, and got a new crank sensor online, and put them in. Now the fun starts...Just like everyone else who posted about this issue, I too now had the "bucking" at 3200 RPM issue. It won't go over 3200 RPM, and the CEL is throwing the PO336 code. I checked all the wires, did the voltage and continuity tests at the sensor, double checked the timing, and everything tests okay. There is absolutely no corrosion on the terminals of the connector, and it snuggly fits onto the sensor. Finally, I saw one post that someone said he had the same issue and just got another new sensor to fix it, so I bought yet another new crank sensor, and its still the same thing. After clearing the code, the CEL comes back on immediately once you start the car, and if you clear the code while the car is running, it kills the engine. It starts back up again, but I am back to the CEL being on and the bucking issue again. This car has me on my last nerve... but I wondered if perhaps someone might know a little more than I was able to find. Thanks for your time.

 
Rep Power: 517

You didn't put the crank gear on backwards, did you (if that's even possible)? The trigger wheel spikes don't go against the engine, they should be facing outward.

(I found a bulletin about this code for 2003 Civic and 02 CRV that says the trigger wheel can be installed backwards and the words OUT SIDE should face outward, but I've always seen the Civic have the trigger wheel cast as part of the crank gear.)

Any of the trigger teeth (spikes) damaged on the crank gear?

Factory crank sensor used?

 
Rep Power: 0

Its not possible to put the gear on backwards, at least I don't think. But the problem was finally solved tonight...I went through 3 different sensors I bought online and they all were bad I guess, I finally sucked it up and bought one from the Autozone and it works fine now. I am going to be sending some very angry e-mails demanding a lot of refunds here soon, haha. Thanks anyways guys.