This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the crankshaft position sensor on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry with the 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Crankshaft Position Sensor × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft Position Sensor O-ring × 1 — Usually included with sensor

Preparation

1. Park the vehicle on level ground and engage the parking brake
2. Ensure the engine is cool to the touch
3. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes before proceeding
4. Gather all tools and the replacement crankshaft position sensor

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate the crankshaft position sensor
   From the front of the vehicle, locate the crankshaft position sensor on the passenger side of the engine block, near the oil filter housing. The sensor is mounted on the front lower portion of the engine block, facing the crankshaft timing gear. You may need to access it from below or use a work light to see clearly.
2. 2

   Disconnect the electrical connector
   Locate the electrical connector attached to the crankshaft position sensor. Press the locking tab on the connector and gently pull it straight off the sensor. If the connector is difficult to remove, carefully wiggle it side to side while pulling. Do not pull on the wiring harness itself.
3. 3

   Remove the sensor mounting bolt
   Using a 10mm socket with extension, remove the single bolt securing the crankshaft position sensor to the engine block. Keep the bolt in a safe location for reinstallation or replacement. Be careful not to drop the bolt into the engine bay.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Extract the sensor from the engine block
   Gently pull the crankshaft position sensor straight out of the engine block. There may be slight resistance due to the O-ring seal. Do not twist or rock the sensor excessively during removal. Once removed, inspect the sensor mounting bore in the engine block for debris or damage.
5. 5

   Inspect the mounting location
   Clean the sensor mounting bore in the engine block using a clean shop towel. Remove any dirt, oil residue, or debris. Inspect the bore for cracks or damage. Ensure the area is completely clean and dry before installing the new sensor.
6. 6

   Prepare the new sensor
   Remove the new crankshaft position sensor from its packaging. Verify that a new O-ring is installed on the sensor body. If the O-ring is not pre-installed, install it in the groove on the sensor. Lightly coat the O-ring with clean engine oil to ease installation and ensure proper sealing.
7. 7

   Install the new sensor
   Carefully insert the new crankshaft position sensor straight into the mounting bore in the engine block. Push the sensor in firmly until it is fully seated against the engine block mounting surface. Ensure the sensor is oriented correctly with the electrical connector facing outward for easy access.
8. 8

   Install and torque the mounting bolt
   Insert the mounting bolt through the sensor mounting tab and thread it into the engine block by hand. Once hand-tight, use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt to specification. Do not over-torque as this can damage the sensor housing or strip the threads in the aluminum engine block.
   Torque spec

   Crankshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect the electrical connector
   Align the electrical connector with the terminals on the crankshaft position sensor and push it firmly onto the sensor until you hear or feel a positive click. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is securely locked in place. Ensure no dirt or debris entered the connector during the repair.
10. 10

    Reconnect the battery
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal and tighten the terminal clamp securely. The vehicle's ECU may need to relearn the crankshaft position sensor signal during the first few start cycles.

Reassembly

1. Double-check that the sensor mounting bolt is torqued to specification and the electrical connector is fully locked
2. Verify that no tools or parts were left in the engine bay

Verification

• Turn the ignition to the ON position (do not start) and verify that the check engine light illuminates briefly then turns off as part of the normal bulb check
• Start the engine and verify it starts normally without extended cranking or hesitation
• Allow the engine to idle for 2-3 minutes and confirm smooth idle with no misfires or rough running
• Use an OBD-II scanner to verify no crankshaft position sensor codes (P0335, P0336, P0337, P0338, P0339) are present
• Test drive the vehicle to confirm normal acceleration and no hesitation or stalling occurs

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