EEC III Crankshaft Position Sensor

[mercurygm88]

I'm changing the CPS on the Mark VI, it's lost spark recently and I first replaced the ignition module as it was under warranty, no dice. I then found that one of the wires going into the CPS was broken, fortunately I had a NOS on hand I bought when I bought the car. I have a feeling I'm in uncharted waters here but has anyone ever changed one of these? I got the clamp off that holds it in place easy enough but the little bastard does not want to slide out of it's mount no way no how. I don't mind destroying the old sensor but I don't want to damage the aluminum mount it's in as that appears to be part of the timing cover.

I don't know if these are just a tight fit or I'm missing something. I don't beleive it's corrosion holding it in place as everything in the vicinity is nice and greasy and this car is basically rust free, there isn't even surface on most of the underside.

[friskyfrankie]

Not sure on this one but someone here will know. As an aside, if might be a good idea, if you already do not have one, to get the official Ford/Lincoln repair manual for it. I believe EBAY has several.

[gadget73]

never did one, but this is from the master parts manual. Kind of looks like there is a clip? Guessing thats the bracket you removed. Doesn't look like anything else holds it. Might just be the plastic "grew" and its stuck.

[mercurygm88]

That’s it alright. I I’ve the retaining clip/hold down off. Also removed that thing that kind of looks like a tuning pointer but instead of a pointer it has a hole in it. That gave me better access.

I’m guessing you’re right about the plastic swelling over time. I’ll have to see what I can figure out.

[jaywish]

Yes the tuning pointer is used to set engine timing with a timing light.

[gadget73]

eec3 doesn't exactly have a timing pointer. The distributor is also not adjustable. Its triggered off 4 bumps on a wheel attached to the balancer. The distributor is basically empty other than the rotor.

[jaywish]

so just to set tdc and the like?

[gadget73]

the distributors have a notch in them where the clamp goes so its not even that. Just have to get it lined up tooth-wise. timing is completely controlled by the ECM. Its actually a Duraspark setup but instead of a distributor pickup it has a crank pickup, and the ECM sends a signal to advance the timing based on whatever it's programming has to say.

[jaywish]

I meant just mechanical, piston, valve position?

[gadget73]

yep, TDC on the piston, drop the distributor, lock it down.

[jaywish]

nifty. They are really just distributors, no other function.

[mercurygm88]

I messed with it a little bit more last night and it moved about 1/8”. It’s been too cold at night to do much. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice and I think if I take the A/C belt off I can get vice grips in there and work it out.

[mercurygm88]

Got it fixed today. I couldn't get the damn thing out to save my life but my one buddy who is basically a domesticated gorilla came over and yanked it right out with a pair of channel locks. I Put the new one in with never seize, put the clamp on, and it fired right up. I'm guessing it's been going bad for awhile because I no longer have the hunting idle I had prior. I always figured that was just due to 40 year old EEC III CFI. I drove it about 75 miles this afternoon with no issue.

[gadget73]

if the crank signal isn't right, none of it is right. That drives spark and fuel pulse and if the signal is flukey it probably does strange things with the timing. Thats the only idle speed control it has but if the timing shifts around it will make it idle stupidly.