The Ford F-150 truck is equipped with a crankshaft sensor that relays important information about the position of the crankshaft to the engine’s computer system. A defective sensor is typically accompanied by difficulty starting the engine when cold, hesitation upon acceleration, poor fuel mileage and a loss of power. Replacing the sensor is a fairly straightforward process, but because the sensor is located behind the air conditioning compressor, the compressor must first be removed from the engine.
Insert the square tip of a 1/2-inch socket wrench into the square hole in the center of the serpentine belt’s adjustment pulley. The adjustment pulley is the smallest pulley the belt wraps around.
Pull the adjustment pulley toward the engine with the socket wrench to release the tension on the serpentine belt, then pull the belt off the air conditioning compressor’s pulley.
Remove the bolts which secure the air conditioning compressor to its mounting brackets with an open-end wrench, then position the compressor to the side of the engine compartment. Do not disturb the hoses that attach to the compressor.
Pull the electrical connection off the crankshaft sensor.
Remove the two bolts that secure the crankshaft sensor against the engine with an open-end wrench, then slide the sensor out of the engine.
Slide the new crankshaft sensor into the engine, then install and tighten the sensor’s two securing bolts with an open-end wrench.
Press the electrical connection onto the crankshaft sensor.
Position the air conditioning compressor against its mounting brackets, then install and tighten the compressor’s bolts with an open-end wrench.
Pull the serpentine belt’s adjustment pulley toward the engine with the socket wrench, then position the belt onto the air compressor’s pulley.
