Check engine for cam postion sensor

[98expo]

hey guys I just bought a 98 ford explorer xlt v8 and the car has a check engine light for the cam position sensor. The car starts up fine and seems to drive fine to me and it will have this sqeak on cold start (not sure if it has to do anything with that possibly the belt) Im new here so if anyone know the easy way to fix or if its a common problem please help!

ps: I did some online research but this may sound stupi* but someone said the light can come on because of low battery but is that even possible ?

thanks

 

[Turdle]

Welcome to the forum.

Check out this thread

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161590&highlight=chirp

 

[98expo]

thanks for the link! If my cam postion sensor was bad would my car even run ? I know in jeeps it wount even start.

 

[Turdle]

yes, it could run

IMO you need to swap it out. Keep in mind this unit also drives the oil pump. Several have complained of the doorman ( cheap) replacements having a wimpy shear pin.

You need the whole synch drive unit--not just the sensor cap.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

thanks for the link! If my cam postion sensor was bad would my car even run ? I know in jeeps it wount even start.

Mine did and the sensor was fubared. Turdle there was witness to it.

That's why JEEPS are most commonly refered to as HEEPS

 

[98expo]

okay thanks for the help im new on here and new to the car! can anyone direct me to where to buy this replacement part ? and I looked for a write up on here how to do it but i couldnt find it..if anyone could get me the link to that would be great! thanks

 

[98expo]

okay guys I feel tottaly stupid right now..I was looking under the hood and looked under the coil pack and the cam positon sensor is snapped in half..there is once piece thats on by the 2 bolts and the other part is held on by the wiring harness..in this case can I get away with buying just the sensor ?

 

[Mbrooks420]

When you remove what's left you will likely find the rotor in the cam synch drive is messed up, and this is what broke the sensor.

 

[98expo]

So the cam synch drive can actually snap the sensor off ? I cant just buy the sensor and replace it ?

 

[Mbrooks420]

It all depends. There is a half circle that spins around a magnet. This often breaks off, and gets chewed up in the spinning rotor. I am assuming this is what broke the sensor. Pull the sensor off, and take a look at the rotor. If it's not mangled, replace the sensor.

 

[waskly]

thanks for the link! If my cam postion sensor was bad would my car even run ? I know in jeeps it wount even start.

yes it will run it might stall going into reverse, if you get it just right.

with a cmp blown up the car will run tho. it might once in a while have a longer crank to start.

 

[98expo]

okay thanks for the help! im going to pull the sensor off tomorrow to inspect the damage

 

[98expo]

I took the sensor off today and the sensor looked like it was broken from outside so I went and bought a new sensor and I inspected the synchronizer and it looked fine but after I installed the new one the check engine light still came on so I took it off and the sensor was just eaten up inside. Im guessing I need a new synchronizer now. Does the synchronizer come up ? I dont understand how it ate away the sensor

 

[KBarbina]

Hey there! I just wanted to interject that your onboard computer (ECM/PCM) uses the signal from this sensor to time the pulse width of your fuel injectors, which is how long the injector is in the open position. Just like other onboard sensors, there are default values the ECM will use if it does not receive the signal it's looking for. That's why, in most cases, it'll still run for ya. - and the obliteration of the sensor by the synchronizer is a very common problem with these. I HIGHLY recommend a Motorcraft replacement. They're usually not much more expensive than a Dorman.
I also would recommend marking the position of the synchronizer BEFORE removing it from the engine. There are tools available to realign them,(I've never needed one, knock on wood) but it's still alot easier if you have the original position marked.....
Good luck!

 

[waskly]

I took the sensor off today and the sensor looked like it was broken from outside so I went and bought a new sensor and I inspected the synchronizer and it looked fine but after I installed the new one the check engine light still came on so I took it off and the sensor was just eaten up inside. Im guessing I need a new synchronizer now. Does the synchronizer come up ? I dont understand how it ate away the sensor

to install a syncro you need a cam position tool and time the engine to tdc.

best bet if you are going to diy is pick up a repair manual for the truck.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The synchro rotor that spins around gets play in them allowing them to hit the magnet on the sensor. Don't get the dorman part, it likely won't fit.

 

[98expo]

It seems like just marking the synchronizer BEFORE removing and putting the new one in the same way would be easier for me but is that a bad idea ?

 

[98expo]

hey guys I was just wondering if I would damage anything if I keep driving with the bad sensor ?

 

[Turdle]

more than likely yes.