just want confirmation, conflicting search info

[tommyturbo]

90 MTX
Car stumbled and bucked a little, tach dropped to zero, codes I get are 14 pip erratic, and an egr flow code.

Ignoring the egr code for now.

I've read many threads with conflicting info as to whether this is a cam or crank sensor. Most say pip is crank, but others say cam for tach signal going erratic and a few say it is a combo.

I'm leaning towards crank, but would love confirmation before I order any parts.

 

[Racer X]

CID (camshaft) sensor.

 

[jelloslug]

Does the car crank easy or do you have to try it a few times? Generally a bad cam sensor won't make the car run poorly, just make it hard to start and no tach.

 

[tommyturbo]

Car starts normally, no problems there. This happened about 30 minutes of running or so. Also didn't see the check engine light come on when it happened. Which all the treads seem to mention coming on.

 

[rubydist]

CID (camshaft) sensor.

WRONG

pip is the crank sensor. (code 14)

cid is the cam sensor. (code 19)

every pip code I have ever seen has been a sick crank sensor.

 

[tommyturbo]

It's what I was leaning towards. Figures it would be. (note sarcasm)

 

[frosho]

In general, no tach = cam sensor and no spark = crank sensor.

 

[tommyturbo]

engine did miss and stumble so i guess I got no spark, and tach did go to zero.........so both are bad? this is why i questioned, so many conflicting ideas.

 

[zblackbeast]

When was the last time it had a 60k? Sounds like your best bet is to just freshen her up a bit.

 

[jelloslug]

Just change them both and be done with it.

 

[tommyturbo]

previous owner has paperwork on it, will check when i get home. Sounds like good advice. Thanks everyone.

 

[frosho]

engine did miss and stumble so i guess I got no spark, and tach did go to zero.........so both are bad? this is why i questioned, so many conflicting ideas.

No spark = NO spark, as in it won't run at all. A failing cam sensor can cause a stumble.

I think you have a cam sensor problem. It's much easier than changing the crank sensor, so I'd start there.

 

[rubydist]

people, the reason that Ford gave the pcm the ability to record diagnostic codes was so that you could get direction on what is wrong and not have to "guess and check" as you drain your wallet replacing parts.

if the pcm code says that the crank sensor is bad, then for heaven's sake replace the crank sensor before you start throwing money at other stuff.

sometimes, a sick crank sensor will result in temporary miss / shutdown for very short periods of time. I have seen this on one of my past cars. guess what? - when the crank sensor cuts out, there is no tach.

 

[Bob90lx]

Interesting. This just happened to me, rpm tach dropped to 0, and engine stumbled choked and died. I'm going to probably pull it out in a month, so screw it I'll just replace both sensors with a full 60K.
Thanks for the thread!

 

[93rev2sev]

Crank sensor.