fast_dave
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- June 6, 2005
- Messages
- 1,383
- Reaction score
- 801
- City, State
- East Bay - Nor Cal / PRK
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '98 Spt 4.0 OHV 5 spd 4x4
Just sayin'
On a 4.0 OHV engine, if a CEL is thrown for a Cam Sensor, that's a warning that there is a bigger, underlying problem...
The camshaft sensor doesn't move - it stays stationary w/ (2) screws - see attached pic of the inside of it.
What does move is the steel axle/shaft within the aluminum body of the synchronizer assembly that rotates a "shutter" (see attached pic).
The camshaft synchronizer assembly is not pressure lubricated, and years of splash lubrication of the axle shaft turns into "coke", which eventually travels up the shaft, coating the entire length of the rotating axle/shaft with a diamond hard coating of coke.
This layer of coke chokes out the splash oil lubrication, and also wears on the I.D of the synchronizer housing which eventually wear out the I.D. of the aluminum body, triggering a CEL/OBND Code because the shaft isn't running true - in your case 470,000 miles...
So when the CEL is examined further, it's cause is mechanical interference between the rotating shutter and the sensor pick up point.
While a new camshaft sensor may help for a few thousand miles, as it wears from the misaligned rotating shutter the CEL code will re-appear.
Eventually you'll get "the chirp" of the axle sticking AND the rotating shutter making contact with the steel pick up inside of the sensor.
At that point the entire camshaft synchronizer assembly will need to be sourced and replaced.
Be aware: If you ever replace the camshaft synchronizer assembly, Rock Auto is showing that your year (1996) OHV can have either a 123 MM shaft or a 132mm shaft assembly.
Hope that helps, good luck with your repair, and hope you hit hit a half million miles
On a 4.0 OHV engine, if a CEL is thrown for a Cam Sensor, that's a warning that there is a bigger, underlying problem...
The camshaft sensor doesn't move - it stays stationary w/ (2) screws - see attached pic of the inside of it.
What does move is the steel axle/shaft within the aluminum body of the synchronizer assembly that rotates a "shutter" (see attached pic).
The camshaft synchronizer assembly is not pressure lubricated, and years of splash lubrication of the axle shaft turns into "coke", which eventually travels up the shaft, coating the entire length of the rotating axle/shaft with a diamond hard coating of coke.
This layer of coke chokes out the splash oil lubrication, and also wears on the I.D of the synchronizer housing which eventually wear out the I.D. of the aluminum body, triggering a CEL/OBND Code because the shaft isn't running true - in your case 470,000 miles...
So when the CEL is examined further, it's cause is mechanical interference between the rotating shutter and the sensor pick up point.
While a new camshaft sensor may help for a few thousand miles, as it wears from the misaligned rotating shutter the CEL code will re-appear.
Eventually you'll get "the chirp" of the axle sticking AND the rotating shutter making contact with the steel pick up inside of the sensor.
At that point the entire camshaft synchronizer assembly will need to be sourced and replaced.
Be aware: If you ever replace the camshaft synchronizer assembly, Rock Auto is showing that your year (1996) OHV can have either a 123 MM shaft or a 132mm shaft assembly.
Hope that helps, good luck with your repair, and hope you hit hit a half million miles
