1995 3.2 cam sensor/crank sensor problem

[truthfortruth]

Hey all,

Hope someone can help with my problem. I don't know much about cars but thanks to the internet i feel like I can learn about anything.

My car stalls/fails to start every once in a while. I found I'm not getting spark. This is usually due to the cam or crank sensor. I'm assuming, with my bad luck, it is the crank sensor, but for $35 I thought i'd try the cam sensor since it is easy to get to.

Here is the problem, I don't have a size socket that fits for the 2 bolts for the cam sensor. I'm guessing this is due to the bolt rusting (shrinking). I've tried both standard and metric (between 5-6mm i believe. 6 barely brushes the sides of the bolt and 5 is too small)

What is the size of the bolt supposed to be? Are there half sized that I don't know about? Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Ishodu]

I was just playing with one not too long ago. IIRC it is some socket in a 32nd that fits on them.

 

[kevinspann]

It's a 7/32 or a 5.5mm.

 

[truthfortruth]

Thanks! I really appreciate it. I thought I was just going crazy there. Once I replace the sensor do I need to do anything special? Is it necessary to unplug the battery to reset everything?

 

[hawkeye18]

Nope, just replace it and go. And, seconded on the 7/32 or 5.5mm socket size.

 

[shotime1994]

Just change the sensor and start the car. Have you tried to pull the codes?

 

[truthfortruth]

I took it to auto zone to have the codes pulled but that turned out to be a bad experience. It took the guy about half an hour to bring up the codes (him telling me to turn the car on and off so many times and he didn't know what settings to put it on etc.)

The only codes it pulled the first time was a cyl 6 misfire and a problem with the EGR valve. (both can be explained by my plugs getting dirty and the mechanic not putting together the egr the right way when he put the manifold back on, but that's another story.)

The last time I was there the car wouldn't stay alive long enough to run the codes. Can I tell if is is the crank or cam if I pulled the codes manually? (counting the blinking lights, right?) Also, aren't there two tests? Doesn't one put all sensors to the limit and would errors read on only that test?

Sorry to have so many questions. I've learned a lot though. About two months ago the most work I've ever done on my car is changing my oil. I already bought another car from my brother and want to fix this one to sell (or just keep two cars since i'm kinda attached to this one for workin on it so much)

 

[zblackbeast]

From my experience working at advance, people don't like to go there because they're all idiots. I had autozono call me asking for murano parts. Guy couldn't even pronounce it. He had no idea what kind of car it was.

If the car stalls and wont restart for a while im guessing its a crank sensor. Possibly have a leaky water pump which gets the sensor hot and it fails to send signal. The car will run but it may start hard. Cid iirc is what helps control the sefi portion of the injection.

Also, correct on the socket size. 5.5mm.

 

[jimtash]

From my experience working at advance, people don't like to go there because they're all idiots. I had autozono call me asking for murano parts. Guy couldn't even pronounce it. He had no idea what kind of car it was.

If the car stalls and wont restart for a while im guessing its a crank sensor. Possibly have a leaky water pump which gets the sensor hot and it fails to send signal. The car will run but it may start hard. Cid iirc is what helps control the sefi portion of the injection.

Also, correct on the socket size. 5.5mm.

That's because of a direct correlation of using online applications and the testing methods in vetting potential prospects. Instead of hiring people that actually know cars, and golly they might actually be worth a good income, they hire ********* who don't know jack for peanuts. On top of the testing methods that have nothing to do with auto parts. And why they'll eventually succumb to online sources like Rockauto. Especially as people hold onto their cars longer. Think Best Buy, Circuit City, and others who have lost out or are losing out to Amazon. Circuit City back in the day actually had people who knew their products. At the end before closing though, the people didn't know anything about what they were selling. Just robots on the sales floor. Point being if there is no knowledge of products being sold, there is no customer service. No matter who the person is. Period.

I went to get a DIS module tested at Autozone a while back and I had to tell the guy how to operate the equipment. Nice guy but he had no business being there.