Hey guys I need some serious help here, after a hard drive to work this afternoon. I come to a stop light & my car stalls. I try to start her back up but I have the most difficult time & when it finally does start back up it runs like complete ****. I get a cel saying "crankshaft position sensor malfunction" and the other "low idle". While trying to limp it home it sounds as if the engine is constantly knocking as it revolves.

Could all this stem from a malfunctioning eccentric shaft sensor or has my engine bit the dust

 

If the ESS isn't working properly...it will run very poorly and could cause massive missfires and damage

Basically the sensor is the only thing that tells the ECU when to fire the spark and injectors....crappy signal = runs like **** or not at all...

 

If there's a position sensor malfunction you might try to reset the position. Not sure if it would solve the problem but it's worth a shot.

To do it, simply turn the car to the "ON" position where you get full dash lights but don't start the vehicle. Press the brake pedal 21 times( IIRC) or until your oil pressure gauge shoots to 1/2 way and then falls. Then, start the vehicle.

Hopefully a sensor reset will fix the problem. Otherwise the sensor is faulty or otherwise not plugged in. Have you disconnected anything under the hood? I know if the sensor is unplugged the car won't start as this is part of the compression check proceedure.

Try the reset, if not I'd take that thing into a dealer ASAP.