6.0L Power Stroke Crank Position (CKP) Sensor

How to Replace the Crank Sensor on a 6.0L Power Stroke

According to many technicians, crankshaft position (CKP) sensor failures are relatively rare on 6.0L Power Stroke diesels. That does not dismiss the fact that within the engine's elaborate system of sensors, modules, and electronics, that it does not play an integral role in engine operation. Plan on spending the better part of a day replacing the crank position sensor - the spacial restraints of the engine make it difficult to access the AC compressor, which will need to be unbolted and pushed out of the way in order to reach the sensor.

Applicable Model Years: 2003 - 2007 6.0L Power Stroke diesel
Crankshaft Position Sensor: Ford 3C3Z-6C315-AA

 

If codes P2614 (camshaft position) and P2617 (crankshaft sensor) are set simultaneously following a hard start or no start/long crank condition, do not assume that both necessarily need to be replaced. These can be set by an excessively long crank condition. If a camshaft sensor or a crankshaft sensor code is triggered, the individual sensor is a strong possibility, but further diagnostics are generally necessary to confirm the source of the problem. We highly advise performing a complete check of the wiring harness before assuming that the crank sensor is bad; harness chaffing is much more common than crankshaft position sensor failures and can be responsible for various sensor DTCs. The crankshaft position sensor for a 6.0L Power Stroke is relatively inexpensive, however it is very labor intensive to replace.

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inner fender, Ford Super Duty

• Disconnect both negative battery cables.

• Remove the inner fender from passenger side.

Upper radiator hoses

• Drain 2 to 3 gallons of engine coolant from the radiator. The petcock is located on the bottom of the radiator on the driver side. Drain the coolant into clean containers if you wish to reuse it.

• Disconnect the upper radiator hose and degas tank hose from the top, driver side of the radiator.

• Remove the radiator core support brackets with an 8 mm socket (two bolts per bracket).

• Remove the two (2) forward fan shroud bolts with an 8 mm socket.

Radiator core support bracket

• Remove the plastic clips that secure the positive battery cable to the radiator core support (the cable that connects the left and right batteries, it runs between the radiator and core support). Once free, position the cable out of the way by laying it on top of the engine.

• Remove the forward fan shroud by maneuvering it upwards.

fan clutch connector

• Disconnect the electrical connector for the fan clutch.

• Remove the four (4) bolts and single nut securing the remaining fan shroud to the engine block; an extension will be required for the top bolts.

• With the fan shroud freed from the engine block, push it forward as much as possible - it does not need to be removed (which requires removal of the fan) and will catch the fan when pushed forward completely.

• Remove the serpentine belt from the AC compressor pulley. Relieving pressure from the belt tensioner and removing the belt from the alternator will suffice, there just cannot be any tension on the belt at the AC compressor before proceeding.

AC compressor location

• Remove the ground clamp at the engine block and framerail on the passenger side. You may also find it useful to disconnect/reposition various connectors and portions of the wiring harness to reach the AC compressor bolts.

• Remove the three (3) AC compressor retaining bolts. The front bolts require a 10 mm wrench, while the rear bolt requires a 13 mm wrench (a ratcheting wrench will make quick work of it). The rear bolt is the most difficult to reach and patience is required to loosen it. There may not be ample space to remove the bolt entirely so once it is unthreaded from the engine block it can be left hanging in the compressor housing. You can see the head of the bolt and use a finger to align a wrench on it by looking through a hole in the crossmember spanning from framerail to framerail beneath the engine.

Note - 3rd AC compressor retaining bolt not pictured, no access for camera. It is located at the rear of the compressor between the compressor housing and engine block.

AC compressor repositioned to access CKP sensor

• With the AC compressor unbolted, push if forward against the fan shroud. This will create just enough room to see the crankshaft position sensor.

• Disconnect the connector from the CKP sensor, then remove the retaining bolt with an 8 mm socket. If you find the connector difficult to disconnect, you can alternatively remove the sensor first followed by the connector.

• The sensor can be accessed through the fender or from beneath the vehicle. Space is tight in either instance, and you'll find that a long pick is useful in removing the sensor from the engine block once it is unbolted.

crankshaft position sensor location on 6.0L Power Stroke diesel

• Coat the new sensor o-ring in clean motor oil, then Install the replacement CKP sensor and electrical connector.

• Reinstall the AC compressor, ground cables, fan shroud, serpentine belt, and all other items that were removed/disconnected during this process. Do not forget to refill the radiator with engine coolant.