TEST 2: Checking Power And Ground Circuits
So far you have confirmed in TEST 1, that your Honda Civic's crankshaft position sensor is not creating an ON/OFF 5 volt DC signal.
The next step is to check and make sure that the sensor is getting power and Ground. Power comes in the form of 12 Volts DC.
The wire that delivers this voltage is the YEL/BLK (yellow w/ black stripe) wire of the connector.
The wire that delivers chassis Ground is the BRN/YEL (brown w/ yellow stripe) wire.
OK, these are the test steps:
- 1
Disconnect the crank sensor connector and check that the YEL/BLK wire has 12 Volts DC present with the key in the On position (position II).
The YEL/BLK wire is the one labeled with the number 3 in the illustration in the image viewer.
You can easily check for battery power (in this wire) by connecting the black multimeter test lead to the battery negative (-) terminal and then connecting the red multimeter test lead to the YEL/BLK wire of the connector. The multimeter should now read 12 Volts if power is present. - 2
Check that the BRN/YEL wire has Ground present.
The BRN/YEL wire is the one labeled with the number 2 in the illustration in the image viewer.
You can easily check for Ground (in this wire) by connecting the red multimeter test lead to the battery positive (+) terminal and then connecting the black multimeter test lead to the BRN/YEL wire of the connector. The multimeter should now read 12 Volts if Ground is present.
Let's take a look at what your test results mean:
CASE 1: Battery power and Ground were present in the indicated wires. Taking into account that the crank sensor is NOT creating a 5 volt DC ON/OFF signal, this test result tells you that the crank sensor is defective and needs to be replaced.
To be a bit more specific: If the crank sensor is getting power and Ground, it should create a crank signal. Since you have confirmed that it is not, then you can conclude beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the crankshaft position sensor is bad. Replacing the CKP sensor will solve the 'no-start no-spark' condition your Honda Civic is experiencing.
CASE 2: Battery power and Ground WERE NOT present in the indicated wires. This test result eliminates the crank sensor itself as bad since without power or Ground the crank sensor cannot function.
Although it's beyond the scope tutorial to find out why battery power (or ground) missing, finding the source of the problem will resolve the ‘no-start’ issue your Honda Civic is experiencing.
Where To Buy The Crank Sensor And Save
If your Honda Civic's crankshaft position sensor turns out to be bad and needs to be replaced, I can tell you that it's not an inexpensive part.
The crankshaft position sensor can cost as much as 85 US dollars at your local auto parts store. Fortunately, you don't have to pay full price for it since you can buy it online for half the price.
The box, here on the right of this paragraph, is the crank sensor that fits all 2001-2005 1.7L equipped Honda Civics and may be worth your while to check it out and compare.
Even if you don't buy it online, the more choices you have the better a decision you'll be able to make.
More 1.7L Honda Civic Tutorials
You can find a complete list of tutorials for you Honda 1.7L equipped car here: 1.7L Honda Civic Index Of Articles.
Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:
- Maintenance Required Light Reset (2001-05 1.7L Honda Civic).
- How To Do A Cylinder Balance Test (2001-2005 1.7L Honda).
- How To Test Trouble Code P0141 (2001-2005 Honda 1.7L).
- How To Test The TP Sensor (2001-2005 1.7L Honda Civic).
- How To Test Trouble Code P0135 (2001-2003 Honda 1.7L).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
