My 1998 CHEVY MALIBU 3.1
Dear JK: I NEED TO KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND THE CRANK SENSOR.
AND HOW TO REPLACE IT. CAN YOU HELP. THE CAR MAINLY WON'T START THE
FIRST TIME OF THE DAY.


JK:
thanks for visiting. That engine has 2 crank position sensors. One is near the starter and bolts
to the engine block. The other is behind the crank pulley/balancer. I have to say i have not
replaced many of those. What makes you think it need replacement? Any codes stored you
know of? Can you tell me a little more of what the problem with car is. Thanks and i will wait for
your reply.......


Visitor:
I HAD THE CAR SCANNED AT ADVANCED AUTO AND THE CODE WAS DTC P1374.  CRANK
TO DI LOW RESOLUTION CORRELATION. SO I WAS WONDERING IF IT COULD BE THE
CRANK OR THE CAM.  I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE FOR A MORE ACCURATE
READING.  BUT I WANTED TO KNOW, JUST IN CASE.  THANK YOU.  I AM HAVING TROUBLE
STARTING MY CAR, THE FIRST START OF THE DAY.  NOT NECESSARY IN THE MORNING.  
IF I START IT IN THE AFTERNOON, FIRST TIME.  IT TAKES A COUPLE CRANKS, BEFORE
STARTING. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.






JK:
This code is a problem with the 3x reference pulses. 3x pulses are merely a calculation of the 7x
crank sensor signals. This calculation is done by the ignition control module. 2 likely causes are
the ignition control module, or the computer(pcm). But there could also be a wiring problem
between the two. Sometimes the wiring harnesses on the dr. side of the ignition control module
rub on the module, coils, or plug wires and give false signals. This code is most likely the cause
of the hard start condition. A tech will need to look at scanner data and do some wire
inspections in order to diag. Properly. This can be a tricky code to repair.
Other related articles:
Other related questions
Code P1374 Where is Crank Position Sensor and How To Replace
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9-25-10
I had the harmonic balancer and serpentine belt on my 1998 Malibu 3.1 V6 replaced a few weeks ago. I was
able to start the car an average of 7-11 times during an average day without any problems after the repair.
Then one morning the starting was a problem. It took several tries and giving a little gas to stay running.
Usually the turn of the key, and it would fire up and stay running as it should without the need to pump the gas.
My question, is it possible for the "crank position sensor" to become positioned wrong or become off aligned ,
yet still start up right for a few weeks? Thanks for any known answer.
Comments
Highly unlikely the crank sensor position was changed. It is
possible the wires to it got disturbed. Have had a few with broken
wires near the senor. May just have carbon on the throttle plate,
in the idle air valve, or a leaking fuel pressure regulator or weak
fuel pump.
11-9-10
Ok my car is turning over but will not start every once in a while I can get it to start for about two days I'm
thinking maybe the crank sensor I have a lot of anti freeze that is leaking all over that side of the engine my 98
Chevy malibu could the antifreeze leaking have anything to do with or is the crank sensor bad.
The antifreeze should not be getting into the crank position
sensor. You need to check fuel pressure, and if you have spark
and fuel injector pulse while it is acting up. There are too many
things that can cause a no start condition and these basics need
to be checked first.
1-24-11
car  cranks  but  wont start.
7-8-11
i took my 1998 chevy malibu to auto zone to get scanned
because my check engine light is on. The code was p0336,i was
told the crankshaft position senor was the problem. They told me
to check connector and wiring to senor, check trigger wheel for
damage.
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7-17-11
OK my 1998 malibu v6 3.1 is doing the same thing, it will start sometimes right off and others it takes like 10 to
15 min for something to click on and it works. I got the ignition switch replaced because the mechanic said that
was the problem. Worked for a month and now back to the same thing. Now the mechanic says its a fuel
pressure regulator but the Autozone man thinks its a crank issue. Any ideas?
If it does  not crank over for 10-15 minutes, then it cannot be a
fuel pressure regulator (FPR). Could be a bad started. If it does
crank over, then could be many things- crank sensor, ignition
module, fuel pump, computer, etc. If the security light is on the
dash, may be a bad Passlock sensor- which is the ignition
cylinder- this is different from the ignition switch.
9-17-11
My 98 Malibu is having a no start issue.  Got it scanned and no codes come up.  I am not getting any spark
from the wires going to the spark plugs so I believe it might be a relay or the Crankshaft Position Sensor.  I
could be wrong, I watched some videos saying that the passlock system may be the issue.  I haven't had a
chance to check it out because the car is not at my home. If it is the Ignition Lock Housing that can go bad and
make the Passlock faulty then I may have to change it DORMAN PART #924-702 and reset the system to
accept the new Ignition Lock Housing Code.  Any Ideas?
I forgot to mention that the engine does turn over but will not start.  My comment was about the Crankshaft
Position Sensor. Ignition Lock Housing Passkey Issue. DORMAN PART #924-702.
9-20-11
Passkey Sensor is fine.  No sparks to the spark plugs. :(
The theft system disables fuel, not spark. You need to look at
that system, not the theft or security.
11-2-11
I also have a 98 Malibu that got the P0336 code for the crankshaft position sensor. Seeing as how there are
two sensors, is this code specific to a certain sensor, or do both need to be replaced?
11-5-11
My car was running fine until the day before yesterday it would not start we ended up getting a jump and it took
about 25 min before it started the next day it was fine all day when I had turned the car off and was just
listening to the radio for a few minutes went to go start it and the car wouldn't turn over. This time when we got
a jump it did not work... What do you think the problem is..?
Simple, you have a bad battery.
11-17-11
i have a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu and i took it to auto zone to get it scanned. The code read crank sensor a
faulty. My question is which is a? I replaced the balancer and its been acting up since. It cranks but have to
give it a little gas and sometimes when driving and trying to make a pass it dont accelerate i have to ease off
gas and it slowly speeds up and when i get it cranked and let it idle it act like it want to cut off and sounds like
something fighting n the fuel tank. Can u help me please!
What is the code number retrieved from the computer?
12-6-11
I have a 1997 Malibu, the other day it started and drove then just stopped while i was at a light. I had to restart
the car and drove a little and stopped again. Has new battery, full tank. Got it to the drive way it starts up but
when it is driven for a little while and at a light it will shut off. It doesn't idle or anything just shut off. Any ideas
what this can be, I am able to crank it and start it and it starts up but as soon as I attempt to drive it will shut
off??
Sounds like a bad ignition switch or ignition module. The switch
supplies power to most of the cars electrical systems. The
module controls spark to the spark plugs.
1-11-12
I have a 2000 Chevy Express 3500 that just died while driving.I replaced the cam sensor cap rotor button plugs
and spark plug wires. Now it turns over won't start. When I do try to start it will turn over good then drag down
then go back to turning over. Someone told me it was the crank sensor. Any ideas??
1-14-11
Yes, i could be the crank position sensor. Scan the computer for any codes and watch the RPM while cranking.
1-27-12
I HAVE A 1998 MALIBU, I HAD IT PUT ON THE MACHINE AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME
THAT THE IGNITION MODULE,COIL PACK AND THE SPARK PLUG BOOT WAS BAD. I REPLACED ALL OF
THEM NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STARTER IS GOING OUT IT JUST SPINS WHEN YOU TURN IT OVER DO
ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON.
2-12-12
My 1998 Chevrolet Malibu doesn't crank when i turn the key.