I need to locate the crankshaft position sensor on a 1989 Pontiac 2.8 liter engine. The book says on the firewall side of the engine but I certainly can't see or feel it from the top.

Get the service and repair manual from the given link and fix the problem easily https://toolsnyou.com

Follow this link to a diagram that will show you where it's located. Hope this helps.

This answer covers 1999-2005 Cadillac Deville, Eldorado & Seville.
Example Engine:
2002 Cadillac Seville STS 4.6L SFI DOHC HO 8cyl.

This engine has (2) Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensors: the Upper sensor is CKP sensor B, and the lower sensor is CKP sensor A (this is included for the OBD-II DTC codes - P0385 references Sensor B = upper CKP sensor, whereas P0335 references the lower CKP sensor (sensor A)).

Both crankshaft position sensors are located in the front of the engine just above the oil filter adapter. To access both CKP sensors, jack up vehicle on the passenger side, remove the oil filter, and the oil filter adapter, including the Engine Oil Pressure (EOP) switch. See illustration.

The ARROW points toward Front of Car.
1. Upper Crankshaft Position Sensor (B).
2. Lower Crankshaft Position Sensor (A)
3. Engine Oil Pressure (EOP) switch
4. Engine Oil Level switch
The Oil Filter is the can-type object below the oil filter adapter, which includes the EOP switch. Recommend: remove oil filter with an oil filter socket/strap wrench, since it's close to the oil pan.

The crankshaft position sensor mounts to the engine block behind the alternator near the oil filter.

try google and ask the question "where is the location of the crankshaft position sensor for 1997 chysler cirrus 2.5 liter engine" or you can go to a parts store and ask for there help, or buy a repair manual it will show you the location.

The Crankshaft Position Sensor is located under hood, center, rear engine area, mounted onpassenger side rear of cylinder head.



Fig. 2: View of the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) location-2.2L engines




Fig. 3: The Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor location-2.3L/2.4L engines


Hope this helps (remember to rate this free answer).

Will be on the side of the engine block.Held on with one bolt that screw into the block, remove bolt and sensor slide out.

replace the crankshaft sensor.

under hood, center, upper engine area, mounted on upper driver side of engine.

A. See web link at bottom of page. Some 1989 and early 1990 vehicles equipped with the 4.0 liter engine and automatic transmission may experience an engine no-start, hard restart, or an engine die-out. This condition may be caused by low signal strength from the Crankshaft Position Sensors (CPS) due to a larger than desired distance to the engine flywheel sensing ring.
What you need to do is check to see if the vehicle has a slotted crank position sensor. If the vehicle is equipped with a slotted crank position sensor, Figure 1, check to see if the CPS grommet on the top of the transmission bell housing has been updated,see Figure 2. If the CPS grommet has not been updated, replace the CPS grommet.
You'll need a Crankshaft Position Sensor, slotted, part number 83100067 and Crankshaft Position Sensors Grommet, dust cover, part number 83100068. When you install it, make certain that the CPS is completely bottomed on the machined lip of the bellhousing and is as close as possible to the flywheel sensing ring without contacting it. go to this web page for diagram: http://autorepair.about.com/cs/faqs/l/bl557h.htm