CPS Install -- help

[abaddon_baliel]

I have a 97 7-bolt Eclipse Spyder GST.

I've done a lot of reading, and searched around a lot... and I cannot figure out how the hell to get to the Crank Position Sensor's bolt-on location. I know roughly where it is, but not how to get to it. I'm hoping I don't have to take the engine out, as that would be very tedious just to replace a sensor. I'm hoping someone will be able to give me a step-by-step walk-through on how to get to this location, and replace the sensor without having to go to extremes.

I've taken off my cam gear cover, and the cover just below that, but it seems where the sensor bolts onto still has another cover over it, and I can't get to it from under the car, and definitely not from on top from what I can tell (it was hard enough just getting to the bolts to undo the covers).

I can give you pics of what my car looks like right now, where I'm trying to get to, whatever you need. I know quite a few of you have replaced the CPS, but there is not a single installation guide on this site. I found a picture that gave me a great point of reference, but it didn't really help me as far as actually getting to where it's bolted on. I'll supply that picture now:

Fair warning: Any "get a 6 bolt" comments will simply be ignored. There is no reason to go from a 7 bolt to a 6 bolt, and if you've done your research properly you'd know that. This is all I will say about that topic, please do not hinder the results of this thread by bashing an engine platform you obviously don't know anything about.

 

[DSMnoobsause]

repair manual and do everything for timing belt replacment except replacing the timing belt. in the instructions it may have you remove the upper motor mount as well.

 

[abaddon_baliel]

repair manual and do everything for timing belt replacment except replacing the timing belt. in the instructions it may have you remove the upper motor mount as well.

If you don't want to download the repair manual as suggested above, just go here: http://www.vfaq.com/mods/timingbelt-2G.html. Follow the instructions to remove the timing belt covers, and you should be able to get to the bolt-on location for the sensor.

 

[abaddon_baliel]

For those of you who don't have the manual and would like a more specialized installation guide than following the timing belt replacement FAQ (since it requires a lot of superfluous steps), here is how I replaced my CPS:

Replacing the CPS:

Jack the car up on the driver's side
Remove wheel
Remove lower engine splash shield (2 bolts)
Remove all belts so you can remove Crankshaft pulley
Remove Crankshaft pulley (4 bolts, not the one in center, pulley falls off after some persuasion)
Remove lower bolts of lower timing belt splash shield so you can wedge it open
Remove old sensor (2 bolts, 2 plastic plugs)
Install new sensor, routing it the exact same as the old sensor so that the wire does not interfere with the pulleys or timing belt
Replace crankshaft pulley
Replace bolts on lower timing belt splash shield
Replace belts, tighten bolts
Install wheel

-- good to go!

Hope this helps.