Would 14 volts going directly into the crank sensor pretty much just fry it? Heres the story...

Driving home last night, my car started dying on me. I would intermittenly lose crank sensor signal. I verified this by watching my MS and tach. MS would say restart and ASE would turn on, and the center LED (ign input) would turn off, also my tach would go from whatever RPM it was to 0, then back up. I checked my Radioshack Voltage regulator I bought, and the input was 14.5 volts, the output (supposed to be 5v) was anywhere between 8 and 14 volts. I ended up just doing as Paul said and using the TPS VREF as supply voltage for the sensor, and tapping into the ECU harness for the signal.

After I did this, the car would crank, but not start. Hooked a voltmeter to the signal wire, solid 4 volts, no alternation. Bad sensor. Went to Auto Bone, grabbed a new sensor ($70!), put that in and fired right up.

Um, didn't you just answer your own question?

Ha, sort of. But I was wondering if it was a fluke or what. The sensor was still working, although intermittently. When I changed the power source it didnt work at all.

That's generally how they crap out. Work sometimes and sometimes not. Too much voltage to the sensor would kill it? Sure.

Originally posted by bullettdsm
Too much voltage to the sensor would kill it? Sure.

Too many volts to his nutsack might kill him as well.

Originally posted by CODE4

Originally posted by bullettdsm Too much voltage to the sensor would kill it? Sure.

Too many volts to his nutsack might kill him as well.

Thankfully I dont have to use my nutsack to check the voltage, I have a multimeter ;)