Hi everyone, I'm pretty new to this forum and I have a question.
My car started making a terrible noise 2 weeks ago just after I had changed a sensor.. I thought there was something knocking in the alternator, but we discovered it was part of the harmonic balance. My papa ordered the part for me and while he was trying to take the old part off he ran into a problem. Apparently the only way to get part of it off is by taking it to a GM dealer because only a GM part can get it off.. this has led to my Dad taking a BFH (big freakin' hammer) and a crowbar to it much to my dismay... Does anyone know of any other way or any kind of tool that would work.

I cannot take it to a dealer without getting it towed now because the front wheel is off and well, it's a Saturday.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Also.

Any help with finding out exactly what the reading on a voltage meter the throttle control sensor should give out in order to make the check engine light go off would be very appreciated. I'm thinking it should read 5.00 and right now it's only reading 4.97. Anyone else have this issue before?
After we adjusted it the best we could (it is almost impossible to get to without a specially crafted tool I discovered.) and disconnected the negative battery terminal for the 10 seconds.. the check engine light is still coming on.. so we ran it to see what the error code was again and it was still 21.. the Throttle Control sensor.. the check engine light only goes off when accelerating but comes back on again about 5 seconds after I let off the gas..

any theories or suggestions?


Thanks so much!

-Elisha

you need to following tool to remove and install harmonic balancer tool........

http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Crankshaft-Sensor-Checker-J-37089-B.HTML
that is just to tool used to check clearence when put back on. also need a 3 jaw puller to remove balancer to access sensor.


its honestly cheaper to buy the sensor and have dealership do the labor then to buy all the tools and then perform labor yourself.

you need to following tool to remove and install harmonic balancer tool........

http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Crankshaft-Sensor-Checker-J-37089-B.HTML
that is just to tool used to check clearence when put back on. also need a 3 jaw puller to remove balancer to access sensor.


its honestly cheaper to buy the sensor and have dealership do the labor then to buy all the tools and then perform labor yourself.


Thanks for the advice and help.. my papa and I just used a BFH and crowbar. All in all, it costs us ninety eight dollars and a few busted knuckles. The sensor I am having issues with is up near the top of the engine, it is hard to get to because of the air filter and a few other pieces of metal.. I have to get my car inspected soon so I have to get the engine light hassle corrected before then. Perhaps the place I take it for inspection will be able to adjust it, I just don't want them to make it worse than it is. Right now it idles a little high but it isn't cutting out anymore since I replaced the sensor. I just cannot get it adjusted right unfortunately.

Thanks again for the help and suggestions, I appreciate it!

-Elisha