Do you like new or used reference sensors?

[Nebraska_e28]

I guess this topic is borderline GC or Tech but here goes. My crankshaft reference sensor died on my yesterday. It lived a long & fulfilling life somewhere around 200k miles. I've since replaced it with a used spare, but I'm curious what everyone else does. When you get a new car do you replace both with new stock, or just keep spares in the trunk for when needed?

[EuroShark]

I go with new parts whenever possible but if I'm replacing something just for the heck of it I will generally hang on to the old stuff for spares.

[wkohler]

I go with new parts whenever possible but if I'm replacing something just for the heck of it I will generally hang on to the old stuff for spares.

x3

I generally replace items I don't know the history on, but are working for the hell of it so I can have the spare.

[Mike W.]

Used, absolutely. As long as they ohm out good, they're good. Well, more than likely. I have noticed bending them around can change the resistance, suggesting it's really a crimped on connection by that causes problems, not the actual coil. Not that it matters if it doesn't work, but working it back and forth might restore operation at least for a while. Not a suggested repair mode, but a way to get back on the road again until you can do it right.

[shagrath]

If the used shit is just as good and well functioning as new... then why pay for new? (Unless you can get new for a good damn cheapo low price!)

[Mike W.]

I should add, in close to 200K with those sensors on assorted BMWs, I've #1 never had one fail, and #2 I've got half a dozen in the garage, so buying a new one is kind of silly to me.

[Nebraska_e28]

I should add, in close to 200K with those sensors on assorted BMWs, I've #1 never had one fail, and #2 I've got half a dozen in the garage, so buying a new one is kind of silly to me.

Damn! This kinda makes me want to put the bad one back on & make it work. I'm pretty sure it had close to 200K on it.

[David Hunt]

The ECU will see that signal wiggle. The resistance is not the primary issue. It'd have to be fairly hosed to not get something going with all that copper winding.

[Blue Shadow]

If the used shit is just as good and well functioning as new... then why pay for new? (Unless you can get new for a good damn cheapo low price!)

The reference sensors are a maintenance item, replace every 100 or 200k miles. A bad one will leave you stranded. I know they are fiddy a pop, but how much is a tow and the other associated costs of a dead clunker on the side of the road away from home?

Carry a couple used spares and use them when needed, but replace em in a timely manner and you WILL NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

So for those of you with the money to replace em, do it and you have a pair of emergency sensors that can life the rest of their life under the spare tire.

Those without the money, carry a volt meter to be able to measure them and learn that the gray connector goes to the what "B" or "D" location on the bell housing and the black connector goes to the other location. Easy enough to put a new one in without wrestling the old one out for this emergency repair.

So two ways to think about it.

[wkohler]

If the used shit is just as good and well functioning as new... then why pay for new? (Unless you can get new for a good damn cheapo low price!)

The reference sensors are a maintenance item, replace every 100 or 200k miles. A bad one will leave you stranded. I know they are fiddy a pop, but how much is a tow and the other associated costs of a dead clunker on the side of the road away from home?

Carry a couple used spares and use them when needed, but replace em in a timely manner and you WILL NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

So for those of you with the money to replace em, do it and you have a pair of emergency sensors that can life the rest of their life under the spare tire.

Those without the money, carry a volt meter to be able to measure them and learn that the gray connector goes to the what "B" or "D" location on the bell housing and the black connector goes to the other location. Easy enough to put a new one in without wrestling the old one out for this emergency repair.

So two ways to think about it.

The first way is the way I look at it. All you have to do is sit on the side of the road one time in 120° heat and you'll see where I'm coming from.

[RonW]

I have had one go bad, and keep a spare in the trunk.

[Mike W.]

I should add, in close to 200K with those sensors on assorted BMWs, I've #1 never had one fail, and #2 I've got half a dozen in the garage, so buying a new one is kind of silly to me.

Damn! This kinda makes me want to put the bad one back on & make it work. I'm pretty sure it had close to 200K on it.

No, 200K total, and only 25K of that was under 200K, and one is still original, to the best of my knowledge, at 321K. I'm talking several cars combined, including one starting at 246Kand one at 175K.

I do carry a spare on vacation, but not around town. I've had more ECU problems than reference sensor trouble, and I'm damn well not buying a new spare of that every 100K.

[Patrick McHugh]

The connectors on the old ones tend to explode, buy new.

[euro635gas]

In my yard trying to find a pair of sensors that the plug hasn't broken apart is really tough. I think most nobheads pull the plug instead of getting that little wire holder loosened is above most peoples abilities.

That being said the last pair I sold new I charged $90 each. Made some money but thats what I do.

[Nebraska_e28]

In my yard trying to find a pair of sensors that the plug hasn't broken apart is really tough. I think most nobheads pull the plug instead of getting that little wire holder loosened is above most peoples abilities.

That being said the last pair I sold new I charged $90 each. Made some money but thats what I do.

Was price shipped?

[euro635gas]

Was price shipped?

Yes included ship and Bosch to boot