HELP - Cam Pos Sensor confusion

[JOHN223]

Been searching around here trying to find out about replacement of the camshaft positioning sensor on my 98 5.0. Getting CEL error code P0304 and P1309. Before I take it in for a $$ diagnosis and repair I thought I can maybe change the sensor for $35. From what I can see the replacement involves two 7mm bolts and a 3 wire connector. Now, what I am confused about is that if the sensor is removed and replaced, does it throw off the timing? does it require the engine to be at TDC? Is the special alignment tool needed? Again, i will not go any further than the sensor at this point, not the entire shaft. Car is running fine though. Any info much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[OneLever]

You can take off the sensor and look at the top of the synchronizer. If the rotor has disintegrated, which it usually does taking the sensor with it, the entire synchronizer assembly has to be replaced. If replacing the only the sensor you should not need the alignment tool.

These links will give you a great deal of information if you read through them and the other threads they point to.

Link 1

Link 2

It is actually not very difficult to replace the synchronizer assembly. But to do so you would need the alignment tool and the ability to find TDC compression. It is worth at least taking off the sensor to see what's going on.

 

[swetrid]

P0304 is cylinder 4 misfire and p109 is misfir monitor problem. I would say look into misfire problem first.

 

[JOHN223]

Thanks for the help!

 

[SoNic67]

Been searching around here trying to find out about replacement of the camshaft positioning sensor on my 98 5.0. Getting CEL error code P0304 and P1309.

For P0304 check first the voltage on the battery with engine running. Should be 14.4V (+/-0.2V).
My alternator was bad (13V) and I guess was putting out a lot of garbage on the + line and that specific sensor is very picky about that. Replacing the alternator fixed my problem.
It's even a sticky post about this issue: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147605

 

[JOHN223]

I checked the voltage was running 14.5. So i started to disassemble the coil packs to get to the sensor. Removed the sensor and lo and behold the magnetic pickup was chewed up along with the plastic mounting piece. I blew out the area with compressed air and removed the old broken off magnet from the crescent rotor. Installed the new sensor and now it's running like a champ with no CEL. Only snafu was I cracked a coil connector and wound up replacing both coils - they seemed to be original anyway. Thanks to all for your input!

 

[OneLever]

You're welcome, that was a quick fix!