crank position sensor reluctor (tripper wheel)

[heavyequipment]

I want to modify the crank position sensor on my Grandson's '89 Cherokee. It works, but occasionally he has to unplug and re-plug it to get it to run.

I've read on more than one Jeep forum that they can be made more reliable by moving them closer to the reluctor. Usually, they recommend drilling the holes out to 3/8". That would allow movement to 1/16" closer. I want to get as close as I can without destroying the sensor.

If someone has a reluctor where they can measure the O.D. I would really appreciate that dimension.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[kastein]

It's on the edge of the flywheel or flexplate - and they probably vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer and lot to lot. You'd be much better off using some bent feeler gauges to check clearance in a few spots while turning the crankshaft.

 

[cruiser54]

Mine put out about .8 AC volts doing the following.

There's quite a bit of room but no sense going any further than this:

Renix CPS Testing and Adjusting
　
　
Renix CPSs have to put out a strong enough signal to the ECU so that it will provide spark.
Most tests for the CPS suggest checking it for an ohms value. This is unreliable and can cause some wasted time and aggravation in your diagnosis of a no-start issue as the CPS will test good when in fact it is bad.
The problem with the ohms test is you can have the correct amount of resistance through the CPS but it isn’t generating enough voltage to trigger the ECU to provide spark.
Unplug the harness connector from the CPS. Using your voltmeter set on AC volts and probing both wires in the connector going to the CPS, crank the engine over. It won’t start with the CPS disconnected.
You should get a reading of .5 AC volts.
If you are down in the .35 AC volts range or lower on your meter reading, you can have intermittent crank/no-start conditions from your Renix Jeep. Some NEW CPSs (from the big box parts stores) have registered only .2 AC volts while reading the proper resistance!! That’s a definite no-start condition. Best to buy your CPS from Napa or the dealer.
Sometimes on a manual transmission equipped Renix Jeep there is an accumulation of debris on the tip of the CPS. It’s worn off clutch material and since the CPS is a magnet, the metal sticks to the tip of the CPS causing a reduced voltage signal. You MAY get by with cleaning the tip of the CPS off.
A little trick for increasing the output of your CPS is to drill out the upper mounting hole to 3/8" from the stock 5/16", or slot it so the CPS bracket rests on the bell housing when pushed down. Then, when mounting it, hold the CPS down as close to the flywheel as you can while tightening the bolts.

　
　
Revised 01-26-2013

 

[bamarider]

I'm new to the cherokees. Will a 96 mdl have the renix controls? If not will the testing procedure be the same for the cps?

 

[FilthyLlama]

No, 1996 is not "Renix". There's a different procedure for you as you have 3 wire leads on your CPS. You have ODB-II error codes that can be read and will tell you if your CPS is bad or not. Any good Auto Parts Store will read those codes for you, bamarider.

The RENIX does not have the error codes, therefore requiring multimeters, patience, days of your time, and copious amounts of beer and cussing to figure out what is wrong with the sensors and relays! :jester:

 

[FilthyLlama]

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1070683

There's a link for your CPS test, for a 1996.