Chevy Malibu Crank Position Sensor (CKP) Location

Question:
1998 CHEVY MALIBU 3.1L. 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.

Answer:
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.

VISTOR REPLY:
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.

Answer:
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.

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.
 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.

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 1998 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.

OK my 1998 Malibu v6 3.1L 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.

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.

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.

1998 Chevy Malibu won't start. I replaced crank sensor, coil pack and module. Could not get plug to fire when trying to crank the car can you help me.
 Did you check all the fuses? Do you have crank RPM on a scanner/ If not, check wiring from crank sensor to ignition module for being burned on the EGR valve.

Cranks, but no start. Fuses and relays are good. Gas is being pumped when key is turned. No spark from wires. Car cut off while driving now no start period. Don't have a scanner, engine light is not on. Someone damage ignition cylinder during an attempt to steal it. Could it be the ignition switch even though when I turn the key I'm getting fuel delivery? Or ignition coil, or ckp sensor?
 Is the theft light on? Yes, the ignition switch could have been damaged, or wires around the ignition switch.