What Does a Crankshaft Position Sensor Do?
The crankshaft position sensor monitors:
- Crankshaft speed
- Rotational position
- Engine timing reference points
The ECU uses this information to control:
- Ignition timing
- Fuel injection timing
- Variable valve timing
- Engine synchronization
Basically, without a crank sensor, your ECU is just guessing — and modern engines are terrible at guessing.
[Replaces Part Number:] PC902 5S12701 #6M8Z6C315AA DY1186 SU14114 Please Check the OEM Part Number and Make Sure Your Part Number Matches this Part Number Before Buying!
Common Symptoms of a Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor
A failing crankshaft sensor can cause:
- Hard starting
- No-start condition
- Random stalling
- Engine misfires
- Rough idle
- Hesitation under acceleration
- Intermittent loss of power
- Check engine light
Common diagnostic trouble codes include:
- P0335
- P0336
- P0339
And because crank sensors love failing intermittently, they’re excellent at creating problems that magically disappear when you finally get the car to the shop.
Buyers Guide (Reference Year/Make/Model seek for proper fitment): Compatible with FORD-C-MAX, EDGE, ESCAPE, EXPLORER, FOCUS, FUSION, MUSTANG, SPECIAL SERVICE POLICE SEDAN, TAURUS (22-13)
Vehicle Compatibility
This crankshaft position sensor commonly fits the following Ford vehicles:
Ford Applications
- Ford Edge
- Ford Escape
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Focus
- Ford Fusion
- Ford Mustang
- Ford Taurus
Engine Compatibility
- 2.0L EcoBoost
- 2.3L EcoBoost
- Various inline-4 applications
Supported Model Years
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
Buyers Guide (Reference Year/Make/Model seek for proper fitment): Compatible with LINCOLN-MKC, MKT, MKZ (20-15)
OEM Cross Reference Numbers
Compatible replacement numbers include:
- 6M8Z-6C315-AA
- 6M8Z6C315AA
Always verify engine size and OEM part number before ordering.
Integrated A/D converter and digital signal processing with a dynamically adaptive switch point improves accuracy and operation.Custom magnetic circuit programming calibrates the sensor all the way through performance testing, which improves timing accuracy between target wheel and sensor output.
Why Crankshaft Position Sensors Fail
Over time, crank sensors are exposed to:
- Constant engine vibration
- Heat cycling
- Oil contamination
- Moisture intrusion
- Electrical connector wear
Eventually the sensor signal weakens or cuts out entirely, causing synchronization problems between the crankshaft and ECU.
And naturally, these sensors often choose to fail in the middle of traffic or during hot weather when you absolutely needed the car to work.
Positioned within the Engine Oil Pump system, the Crank Position Sensor is a very important Engine-Fuel part. It plays a a very powerful role by monitoring the speed and position of the engine crankshaft. This information is sent to the engine keep watch over unit (ECU), which adjusts the fuel injection and ignition timing accordingly. If the Crank Position Sensor becomes aged, broken, or clogged, it might result in poor engine performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and even result in engine failure.
Common Ford Crank Sensor Failure Symptoms
Ford EcoBoost engines are especially known for:
- Random stalling when warm
- Extended crank times
- Sudden no-start conditions
- Intermittent misfires
Many owners replace:
- Batteries
- Starters
- Fuel pumps
…before discovering the crank sensor was the actual problem the entire time.
OEM vs Cheap Aftermarket Sensors
This is one sensor where quality matters.
Cheap crankshaft sensors can cause:
- Incorrect timing signals
- Random misfires
- Persistent CELs
- Starting issues
- Signal dropouts
For best reliability, many Ford owners prefer:
- Motorcraft
- NTK
- Denso
- Delphi
OEM-quality sensors usually provide better long-term durability and more accurate signal output.
Ford Crankshaft Position Sensor 6M8Z-6C315-AA Edge Escape Focus Fusion
Installation Guide
Replacing the crankshaft position sensor typically involves:
- Disconnect battery
- Locate sensor near crank pulley or engine block
- Unplug electrical connector
- Remove retaining bolt
- Install new sensor
- Reconnect battery and clear codes
Installation difficulty varies by engine layout.
Typical install time:
- 30 minutes to 2 hours
Some Ford models make sensor access unnecessarily annoying because apparently engineers enjoy hiding critical components behind other critical components.
Important Diagnosis Tip
Before replacing the sensor, inspect:
- Wiring harness damage
- Oil contamination on connector
- Loose grounds
- Timing-related issues
A damaged harness can mimic crank sensor failure.
Why Replacing a Bad Crank Sensor Matters
Ignoring crankshaft sensor problems can eventually lead to:
- Complete no-start conditions
- Poor fuel economy
- Engine stalling
- Catalyst damage from misfires
- Unsafe driving situations
Replacing the sensor restores proper engine synchronization and ignition timing control.
Final Thoughts
The 6M8Z-6C315-AA crankshaft position sensor is a critical engine management component used across many Ford vehicles from 2012–2020. If your Ford is experiencing intermittent stalling, hard starts, or mysterious no-start conditions, the crank sensor should absolutely be on your diagnostic checklist.
Because nothing builds character quite like a car that randomly decides it no longer believes in spark
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