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Crankshaft Position Sensors

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Old Sep 27, 2018 | 09:59 PM
  #1  
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From: NE/MO
Year: '96XJ - '97TJ(RHD) - '98XJ(RWD)
Default Crankshaft Position Sensors

Are the sensors all the same, except for the connector, for all model years? Thanks.
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 02:52 AM
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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I honestly don't know, but I will say don't waste your money on anything but Mopar sensors. The crank sensors are a magnetic switch and sense the windows in the torque converter drive plate to trigger the computer to fire the spark plugs. Mopar uses neodymium magnets whereas aftermarket sensors don't. That's why they cost so much but last longer.
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 04:51 AM
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
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Like dave1123 I am not sure either but under the impression that some only have one bolt, my '00 was 2 bolts, and some of the older ones might have to be adjusted/shimmed. My '00 was just bolt it in.
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 06:55 AM
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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I know 87 to 90 will not work with 91 and up. As for the others, not sure.
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 08:08 AM
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Year: '96XJ - '97TJ(RHD) - '98XJ(RWD)
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Hope they are compatible. I bought an $80 Mopar sensor for my '96 and forgot to look at the connector. This Jeep is a mixture of pre'96 and post'96 parts. It needs a square plug, I got an oval. I have some weather-pack plugs on the way to make it work. Wish me luck...
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 11:47 AM
  #6  
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Year: 1996
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Engine: 4.0L
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If you have a late-year 1996 model like I do, a mopar CPS that comes up under a search for a normal 96 XJ won't work. It has the oval connector for early-year 96s and below (basically it has a 95 connector - like part number 56026882). If your 96 is like mine, it has the rounded rectangular connector (like a 97). I believe the part number is 560227866AC (please somebody correct me here if I'm wrong). I have had a hard time finding one. But it should basically be the same one that fits a 97.

Check the shape of the connector on your actual vehicle to know for sure which one you have. (old = oval, new = rounded rectangle).
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 12:22 PM
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Year: 1997
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Originally Posted by craiso
Hope they are compatible. I bought an $80 Mopar sensor for my '96 and forgot to look at the connector. This Jeep is a mixture of pre'96 and post'96 parts. It needs a square plug, I got an oval. I have some weather-pack plugs on the way to make it work. Wish me luck...
Oval and square dont mix. The oval connector uses round pins, and the square connector uses flat blades. One will not fit the other unless you cut the leads off and swap connectors. Another issue is the harnesses length. There was a long, and short. > https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/sea...96-cps-210016/
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 01:28 PM
  #8  
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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The sensors that have one mounting bolt are supposed to come with a paper wafer spacer on the nose to properly space it from the flywheel and this wafer is ripped off on startup. The ones with 2 bolts are self centering. I believe these are used on the V8s and mount near the starter on ZJs and WJs. The one on my 2000 WJ 4.0 has a long harness and mounts on the driver's side and connects to a harness on the passenger's side, going behind the block with the wire bundle. That's because it uses the same body harness as the V8 models.

I tied a loop of twine to the old connector, pulled it out, transfered the loop to the new one, and pulled it back in.

Last edited by dave1123; Sep 28, 2018 at 01:32 PM.
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 11:49 PM
  #9  
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From: Memphis, Tn
Year: 1996 XJ
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Could a bad CPS cause a scanner to show a 'No Link code' ?
Late 96 Cherokee Classic, 4.0, W/auto trans.
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Old Sep 28, 2018 | 11:55 PM
  #10  
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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A no link code shows a loss of signal to the PCM from one or more sensors. Sometimes a bad connection or an open circuit thru the sensor. This could be loss of the link between the PCM and other modules like the TCM or BCM. Clean and check ALL the connectors on the truck.
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Old Oct 1, 2018 | 07:44 AM
  #11  
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From: Memphis, Tn
Year: 1996 XJ
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Crankshaft Position Sensors

Originally Posted by dave1123
A no link code shows a loss of signal to the PCM from one or more sensors. Sometimes a bad connection or an open circuit thru the sensor. This could be loss of the link between the PCM and other modules like the TCM or BCM. Clean and check ALL the connectors on the truck.
After finding the Mopar part number earlier in this post I finally found a Mopar crank position sensor an some relays. As soon as they come in I'll get back to work on it. I hope the sensor and relays solve the problem. I'll post an update as soon as I have one.

Thanks dave1123 and all the rest of you for your help.
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