Pathfinder crank but no spark, CPS connector problem?

[knemo963]

Ok, so my son leaves for the marines in two months and a few weeks ago his pathfinder burnt up the transmission. Car is worth a few thousand and the shop estimated around 4k to repair trans...so I decided i can do this...Im a mechanical guy. Located a matching trans with 70k with a certificate of test and 180 day warranty.

Took me literally days to get the old one out, it is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Now after literally a week of full 8 hour days I'm back in and ready to fire. Go to start and cranks but no fire. Pull a plug and no spark. Checked all the fuses and such no luck.

One thing that did happen was the connector to the crank position sensor pulled free (located on the bottom of the trans) so I re-crimped new ends on. Using a multi meter I confirmed I had 12v to one leg, ground to the other, and the third in sensor. I swapped out sensors thinking maybe it was weak, no change.

Any ideas on how to start trouble shooting this? I found a diagram to verify the position of each wire when I reconnected it and it seems correct but maybe it's backwards? Any way to tell if the sensor is working when on the car? May not be the CPS at all, any troubleshooting tips?



Here is the diagram, I'm assuming the legend at the bottom says clip at top orientates the "1/2/3" position but is that looking at it from behind (where the wires come in)or from the front where the connector is.

[MisterH]

Have you verified that you're getting ignition spark? The CPS monitors the rotation of the gear teeth at the flywheel and sends a constantly fluctuating signal or pulse to the ECM for diagnostic purposes but it does not control the engine management system. In fact, all the diagnostic procedures for testing the CPS specified in the service manual require that the engine be running. I think you have something else to chase down so I'd first verify that ignition is OK.

[MisterH]

Forgot to mention my hat's off to you for attempting the transmission swap at home. I've taken a look under there and it's a really ugly job.