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heinzlorenz1

Freestar Crankshaft Sensor Issue

I'm pulling my hair out. I've got an '04 Ford Freestar, gasoline engine, with 237,748 km on the clock. The check engine light's mocking me, and the van feels like it's lost half its mojo. Acceleration is sluggish, fuel economy is in the toilet, and the engine just feels off. I pulled the codes, and it's screaming about a crankshaft to camshaft reference value issue. I'm suspecting the crankshaft sensor is toast. Anyone dealt with this before?

4 comment(s)

dennisice4

Sounds like a plausible culprit. Have you noticed any misfires? A faulty crankshaft sensor can definitely throw off the engine synchronization and cause those symptoms. Before you replace it, though, have you checked the wiring and connectors to the sensor? Sometimes it's just a loose connection or corroded wire causing the problem.

heinzlorenz1 (Author)

Misfires, yes, I've felt a few stumbles. Good call on the wiring – I gave it a quick look, but maybe not thorough enough. Where exactly should I be focusing my attention on the connectors? Is there a specific pin I should check for voltage?

dennisice4

Without the diagrams in front of me, I couldn't tell you the exact pin. But the fact that you're experiencing misfires and getting that crankshaft/camshaft code makes me lean even harder towards that sensor or its immediate wiring. At this point, if you're not super confident with a multimeter and wiring diagrams, it might be worth getting a shop to diagnose it properly. Could save you some money and frustration in the long run.

heinzlorenz1 (Author)

That confirms my gut feeling. Took it to the shop, and you were spot on – crankshaft sensor was the culprit. 340€ later, and the Freestar is back to its old self. Appreciate the help!

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