Cost for crank angle sensor

I have a Mazda Protoge 1994 model which failed to start, so I took it
to the garage. They told me the problem is the crank angle sensor and
that no-one makes that part - I have to replace the distributor which
is 450 dollars plus labor/tax making 650 in total. When working(!) the
car is worth 1200 (Blue Book value).

I'm a bit of a novice about cars and wanted to hear opinions on this
situation. Has anyone faced the problem before - know of any other
(preferably cheaper) options?

I was thinking this car shared the miata engine, the term Crank Angle Sensor
is sometimes used interchangeably with the term Cam Angle Sensor. Several
things seem odd to me. The CAS is pretty common for the miatas/protégés?
Miata's don't have distributers, does your car have a distributor (round
shaped plastic cap that the spark plug wires exit out of when heading to the
plugs)? Miata parts, if interchangeable, are usually plentiful / cheap.
Hopefully someone here can confirm a couple of those things.

Good luck,
Chris
99BBB

"spasmous" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I have a Mazda Protoge 1994 model which failed to start, so I took it
> to the garage. They told me the problem is the crank angle sensor and
> that no-one makes that part - I have to replace the distributor which
> is 450 dollars plus labor/tax making 650 in total. When working(!) the
> car is worth 1200 (Blue Book value).
>
> I'm a bit of a novice about cars and wanted to hear opinions on this
> situation. Has anyone faced the problem before - know of any other
> (preferably cheaper) options?
>

i suppose the mechanic also said that they would be willing to buy the car
from you...
check out www.rockauto.com as they have several distributors to choose from
ranging from $175-$250. i know a garage is entitled to some markup but not
100%. i don't see much reason to install an expensive oem part in this car
if that is what the mechanic is suggesting (as implied by that price) but if
it is not oem then they are just trying to rip you off. take it to another
mechanic.

"spasmous" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I have a Mazda Protoge 1994 model which failed to start, so I took it
> to the garage. They told me the problem is the crank angle sensor and
> that no-one makes that part - I have to replace the distributor which
> is 450 dollars plus labor/tax making 650 in total. When working(!) the
> car is worth 1200 (Blue Book value).
>
> I'm a bit of a novice about cars and wanted to hear opinions on this
> situation. Has anyone faced the problem before - know of any other
> (preferably cheaper) options?
>

On my 02 Miata I paid a local garage $120 for the sensor and 1 labor hour to
get it installed.

The dealer wanted $400 for the same job.

I have experience with 1997/98 Proteges. They have a distributor which
is driven by one of the cams. Rotor, cap, wires...it's all there. No
points, though.

I don't know much about the 1994 versions. I think that was what they
call the "gen1" Protege.

Ken


Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
> I was thinking this car shared the miata engine, the term Crank Angle Sensor
> is sometimes used interchangeably with the term Cam Angle Sensor. Several
> things seem odd to me. The CAS is pretty common for the miatas/protégés?
> Miata's don't have distributers, does your car have a distributor (round
> shaped plastic cap that the spark plug wires exit out of when heading to the
> plugs)? Miata parts, if interchangeable, are usually plentiful / cheap.
> Hopefully someone here can confirm a couple of those things.
>
> Good luck,
> Chris
> 99BBB
>
> "spasmous" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> I have a Mazda Protoge 1994 model which failed to start, so I took it
>> to the garage. They told me the problem is the crank angle sensor and
>> that no-one makes that part - I have to replace the distributor which
>> is 450 dollars plus labor/tax making 650 in total. When working(!) the
>> car is worth 1200 (Blue Book value).
>>
>> I'm a bit of a novice about cars and wanted to hear opinions on this
>> situation. Has anyone faced the problem before - know of any other
>> (preferably cheaper) options?
>>
>
>

Do you have wreckers whereever you live? Distributor is usually fairly
simple to replace, and a second hand one should be cheap.

"spasmous" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I have a Mazda Protoge 1994 model which failed to start, so I took it
> to the garage. They told me the problem is the crank angle sensor and
> that no-one makes that part - I have to replace the distributor which
> is 450 dollars plus labor/tax making 650 in total. When working(!) the
> car is worth 1200 (Blue Book value).
>
> I'm a bit of a novice about cars and wanted to hear opinions on this
> situation. Has anyone faced the problem before - know of any other
> (preferably cheaper) options?
>

"Mal Osborne" > wrote in message
...
> Do you have wreckers

I'm assuming "wreckers" is an Aussie term for our "junkyard" ?
correct me if I'm wrong, please....

> whereever you live? Distributor is usually fairly simple to replace, and
> a second hand one should be cheap.
>
> "spasmous" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>>I have a Mazda Protoge 1994 model which failed to start, so I took it
>> to the garage. They told me the problem is the crank angle sensor and
>> that no-one makes that part - I have to replace the distributor which
>> is 450 dollars plus labor/tax making 650 in total. When working(!) the
>> car is worth 1200 (Blue Book value).
>>
>> I'm a bit of a novice about cars and wanted to hear opinions on this
>> situation. Has anyone faced the problem before - know of any other
>> (preferably cheaper) options?
>>
>

He's referring to tow trucks I think. You know, get it home and fix it
yourself.

Chris
99BBB

"Remove This" > wrote in message
news:WI_ah.11008$gJ1.7319@trndny09...
>
> "Mal Osborne" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Do you have wreckers
>
> I'm assuming "wreckers" is an Aussie term for our "junkyard" ?
> correct me if I'm wrong, please....
>
>> whereever you live? Distributor is usually fairly simple to replace,
>> and a second hand one should be cheap.
>>
>> "spasmous" > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>>>I have a Mazda Protoge 1994 model which failed to start, so I took it
>>> to the garage. They told me the problem is the crank angle sensor and
>>> that no-one makes that part - I have to replace the distributor which
>>> is 450 dollars plus labor/tax making 650 in total. When working(!) the
>>> car is worth 1200 (Blue Book value).
>>>
>>> I'm a bit of a novice about cars and wanted to hear opinions on this
>>> situation. Has anyone faced the problem before - know of any other
>>> (preferably cheaper) options?
>>>
>>
>

No "wreckers" is what we call a wrecking yard here in Oz, Junkyard for
others I believe.



"Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
...
| He's referring to tow trucks I think. You know, get it home and fix it
| yourself.
|
| Chris
| 99BBB
|
| "Remove This" > wrote in message
| news:WI_ah.11008$gJ1.7319@trndny09...
| >
| > "Mal Osborne" > wrote in message
| > ...
| >> Do you have wreckers
| >
| > I'm assuming "wreckers" is an Aussie term for our "junkyard" ?
| > correct me if I'm wrong, please....
| >
|

That's funny! You know it 'works' either way :-)

Chris
99BBB

"Justin" <.> wrote in message
...
> No "wreckers" is what we call a wrecking yard here in Oz, Junkyard for
> others I believe.
>
>
>
> "Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
> ...
> | He's referring to tow trucks I think. You know, get it home and fix it
> | yourself.
> |
> | Chris
> | 99BBB
> |
> | "Remove This" > wrote in message
> | news:WI_ah.11008$gJ1.7319@trndny09...
> | >
> | > "Mal Osborne" > wrote in message
> | > ...
> | >> Do you have wreckers
> | >
> | > I'm assuming "wreckers" is an Aussie term for our "junkyard" ?
> | > correct me if I'm wrong, please....
> | >
> |
>
>