Parts for your 2001 Ford Falcon-Crank angle sensor

2001 Ford Falcon crank-angle-sensor — what’s fitted and why it matters

On the 2001 Ford Falcon (AU Series II/III), whether a crank-angle-sensor is used depends on the engine. The 4.0L inline-six (Intech SOHC) is fitted with a dedicated crankshaft position sensor (often called a crank-angle-sensor) mounted at the front of the engine reading a toothed wheel on the crank. The 5.0L V8 XR8 of the same era uses a distributor with an internal Hall-effect pickup for timing, so it does not have a separate, external crank-angle-sensor. This conclusion is supported by the Ford AU Series II/III Workshop Manual (Ignition—CKP), Gregory’s Service and Repair Manual No. 276, Autodata service information for AU II ignition, and Bosch technical notes on 36‑1 crank trigger systems used by Ford.

The crank-angle-sensor on the 4.0L Falcon tells the ECU exactly where the crank is in its rotation and how fast it’s spinning. It’s the master timing reference for spark and fuel, and the ECU won’t fire anything without a clean signal. On AU-series sixes it reads a toothed (36‑1) wheel at the harmonic balancer, so the computer gets a precise “pulse train” that lets it sync ignition and injection from idle to highway kays. If the signal drops out, the engine will stall or simply won’t start. Because timing is everything, a healthy crank sensor keeps cold starts crisp, throttle response tidy, and fuel economy where it should be.

Common signs it’s on the way out include intermittent no-start after a heat soak, random stalling at lights, a sudden dead tach during a cut-out, or a hard start that clears once it cools. Scan tools often log P0335/P0336. Before throwing parts at it, check the wiring loom near the A/C compressor and balancer for chafe, oil contamination, or a loose connector. The sensor isn’t a regular “service item”, but it’s smart to inspect it during belt or balancer work. Replacement is straightforward: disconnect the battery, safely raise the front, remove the splash shield, then access the sensor at the timing cover facing the trigger wheel. Fit the new sensor, set the correct air gap if specified, route the harness away from heat, then clear codes and road test. For XR8 V8 owners, note there’s no separate crank-angle-sensor—timing is handled by the distributor’s pickup, so faults there are diagnosed and serviced differently.

Technical sources referenced: Ford AU Series II/III Workshop Manual (Ignition/CKP), Gregory’s 276 Ford Falcon AU Series, Autodata (AU II ignition data), Bosch Crankshaft Sensor application notes.

• If 4.0L I6: yes, crank-angle-sensor fitted (front of engine, harmonic balancer area).
• If 5.0L V8 XR8: no separate crank-angle-sensor (uses distributor pickup).

Popular questions

Where is the crank-angle-sensor on a 2001 Ford Falcon 4.0L?
It sits at the front of the engine near the timing cover, aimed at the toothed wheel on the harmonic balancer. Access is usually from under the front after removing the splash shield. Look for a small sensor with a two- or three-pin plug routed along the front loom.

What symptoms point to a failing crank-angle-sensor on the AU 4.0L?
Hot no-start, random stalls, a dead or dropping tacho when it cuts out, extended cranking, and fault codes P0335/P0336 are common. Heat and oil contamination can aggravate an ageing sensor or damaged wiring.

Do I need any special resets after replacing the sensor?
Generally, no. The ECU on the AU will sync itself on the first crank. It’s still good practice to clear any stored fault codes and let it idle for a minute or two so trims settle, then take a short drive to confirm stable operation and no returning codes.