Parts for your 2000 Ford Falcon-Crank angle sensor

2000 Ford Falcon crank-angle sensor: what it does, where it lives, and when to replace it

Technical references (Ford Falcon AU Series II Workshop Manual, 2000, Ellery’s Ford Falcon AU 1998–2002, Gregory’s Falcon AU 1998–2002) confirm that a crank-angle sensor is fitted to the 2000 Ford Falcon six-cylinder (AU Series II 4.0L I6). It’s mounted at the front of the engine on the timing cover, reading a toothed wheel on the crankshaft. These same sources note that the optional 5.0L Windsor V8 in AU II uses a distributor with an internal Hall-effect pickup to provide engine position, so a separate crank-angle (crankshaft position) sensor isn’t used on that V8.

For the 4.0L six, the crank-angle sensor (often called the crankshaft position sensor) is the timing heartbeat. It watches a trigger wheel on the crank and feeds precise position and speed information to the ECU so the Falcon can spark and fuel bang on time. When it’s healthy, starts are crisp, idle is smooth, and the revs climb cleanly. When it’s tired, owners see hard starting (especially hot), random stalls at lights, flat spots or misfires under load, and the odd no-start with a dead tacho flick. Fault codes commonly logged include P0335/P0336.

Replacement is straightforward for a home spannerer. Usual steps go like this:

• Disconnect the battery and give the area a clean so grit doesn’t drop into the timing cover.
• Unplug the sensor’s two/three-pin connector near the front of the engine.
• Remove the retaining bolt, ease the sensor out, and check the O-ring and the trigger wheel teeth.
• Fit the new sensor with a fresh O-ring, seat it squarely (the air gap is fixed by the bracket), and snug the bolt. Reconnect, clear any codes, and test.

Good servicing habits keep it sweet. Oil leaks from the front seal or power steering can soak the sensor and loom, so fix weeps early and wipe the area when you’re in there for belts. Keep an eye on the harmonic balancer—if the rubber delaminates, it can wobble and upset the signal. On high-kilometre cars, inspect the wiring where it passes near the A/C and drive belts for rub-through. If the ECU’s seen a bunch of crank signal faults, clear the DTCs after repair and let it relearn at idle.

If it’s a 2000 Falcon with the 5.0L Windsor V8, there’s no separate crank-angle sensor, timing and position come from the distributor pickup. In that case, testing and replacement focus on the distributor, module and related wiring rather than a standalone CKP.

Sources referenced: Ford Falcon AU Series II/III Workshop Manual (Ford Australia, 2000), Section 303-14A, Ellery’s Workshop Manual Ford Falcon AU 1998–2002, Gregory’s Service and Repair Manual Falcon AU 1998–2002.

FAQs

Where is the crank-angle sensor on a 2000 Falcon six?
On the AU Series II 4.0L I6 it’s bolted to the front timing cover, aiming at the toothed trigger wheel behind the harmonic balancer. You can see its small wiring plug and retaining bolt near the crank pulley area.

How long does replacement take?
Typically 30–60 minutes on the driveway with basic tools. The longest bit is cleaning the area and routing the loom neatly so it can’t rub on the belts. Always fit a new O-ring and clear any stored fault codes after the swap.

What are the tell-tale symptoms of a failing sensor?
Intermittent no-starts when hot, random stalling, misfires under load, a dead or jumpy tacho during crank, and fault codes P0335/P0336. If the balancer is wobbling or the front of the engine is oily, sort those first as they can mimic sensor faults.