Expert: Mike Evans - 5/17/2009

Question
i have a 99 maxima, it wont start, but it turns, I'm told it may be the crank sensor, but where is it located?

Answer
    They use a sensor very similar to the one used in late-model GM fours and sixes, made, in fact, by Delphi (GM's electrical parts division).  There is a hole in the side of the engine and the sensor inserts through that hole, sealed with an O-ring, and picks up the crank signal from a series of notches cut directly into the crankshaft.  It is held in with two small bolts, just above the parting line between the oil pan and the block.  Should be very easy to change, if that's what's wrong with your car.  It wouldn't hurt to get a mechanic to plug in a scanner and check it out first, although this is something that you could easily replace yourself and the part isn't super expensive.  I don't have any real experience on the failure rates of these sensors, but they live in a pretty harsh environment (the crankcase) so it's not unexpected that they could fail.