How To Test The CKP Sensor (1997-1998 1.5L Mazda Protege)

TEST 2: Checking The CKP Sensor's Air Gap

The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor reads the teeth (that project) from the crankshaft pulley to produce its CKP signal.

If the CKP sensor is too far then it will not produce its signal and you'll see a trouble code P0335 lighting up the check engine light.

If it comes in contact with the tooth, then it'll become damaged and will need to be replaced.

OK, these are the test steps:

1. 1

   Raise the front of the vehicle and place it on jack stands.

2. 2

   Remove the right side (passenger side) tire.

3. 3

   Remove the plastic water shield that protects the crankshaft pulley from water splash.

4. 4

   Rotate the crankshaft pulley by hand so that the pulley's tooth will line up the CKP sensor. See the illustration above.

5. 5

   Visually inspect the CKP sensor and the crankshaft pulley tooth for damage.

6. 6

   Measure the air gap between the CKP sensor and the tooth with a feeler gauge.

7. 7

   The air gap should be 0.5-1.5 mm (0.020-0.059 in) wide.

Let's interpret your test results:

CASE 1: The air gap is within specification. This is the correct and expected test result.

If the CKP sensor passed TEST 1, then you can conclude that the sensor is OK (not bad/defective).

CASE 2: The air gap IS NOT within specification and the sensor is NOT damaged. Adjust the air gap between the CKP sensor the pulley's tooth, using a feeler gauge, to 0.5-1.5 mm (0.020-0.059 in).

CASE 3: The air gap IS NOT within specification and the sensor is damaged. Replace the CKP sensor.

After replacing the CKP sensor (but before cranking the engine), make sure that the air gap (between it and the crankshaft pulley tooth), is between 0.5-1.5 mm (0.020-0.059 in).

CASE 4: The air gap IS NOT within specification and the sensor and the crankshaft pulley are damaged. Replace the CKP sensor and the crankshaft pulley.

After replacing them (but before cranking the engine), make sure that the air gap (between it and the crankshaft pulley tooth), is between 0.5-1.5 mm (0.020-0.059 in).

More 1.5L Mazda Protege Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 1.5L Mazda Protege tutorials in this index:

• Mazda 1.5L Index Of Articles.

Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• P0122 -What Does It Mean? (1996-1998 1.5L Mazda Protege).
• How To Test The TPS (1996-1998 1.5L Mazda Protege).
• How To Test The MAF Sensor (1996-1998 1.5L Mazda Protege).
• How To Test Engine Compression (1995-1998 1.5L Mazda Protege).