Help. Replaced cam sensor. didn't help.

[Indecline]

Help. Replaced cam sensor. didn't work.

Ok, here goes. I recently got this car from a friend. It would die randomly and sometimes not restart right away. I was told by the friend, the Ford mechanic, and a second mechanic that it was the camshaft position sensor. I had that replaced today and on my way home the car still died 3 times. He had it taken to the Ford mechanic and looked at and as far as I know they ran the engine codes and everything. I need to know what other things it could possibly be. It is starting to become more of a pain then it is worth.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Also, how to I check the engine codes on my own? Will I have to check after the car dies or with they always show up?

EDIT: My car is a 1995 ATX 3.2L SHO 68k miles. Had 60k tune up before I got it.

Thank you

 

[TYSHO]

You can check you codes with a paper clip and recording the number of flashes you get from the check engine light. Here's a helpful link.

 

[shoteen95]

for checking codes: http://www.shophoenixproject.com/eec/eec.htm

Also, when the engine dies, and you try to restart, does the tach move? Does it ever catch for a couple seconds with the tach reading zero?

Odds are, it's the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) that is the culprit. If you get a code 212 (eratic Tach signal), it's a pretty good bet that it's the CPS..since it's responsible for the tach signal i believe. Are you losing any coolant? A water pump leak will significantly reduce the reliability and lifespan of a CPS...not to say a leaky pump is the cause for all CPS failures...they're prone to heat like most underhood electronics.

You said it also had a 60k, since the intake was most likely removed; check the ground strap on the back of the intake...it is vital for the operation of the engine.

 

[Indecline]

How would I go about checking that ground? I have a CPS the car came with one. But I was told if the CPS was bad the car wouldn't start at all. If it is the CPS how much would it cost me to get it put it in? How many man hours? The car turns over normal it just doesn't start. The tach moves.

 

[I'll sho u]

when my car had the exact same symptoms as yours the tach also moved. I changed the cps and have had 12000 trouble free miles since. I can almpst guarantee that if you change the sensor it will fix your problem. A easy way to check the cps is to see if the check engine light goes out while cranking.If it stays on the cps is bad.

 

[Indecline]

Yes it stays on. How much is it going to cost me to get it fixed? How many man hours does it take to replace?

 

[shoteen95]

first, running the codes will help a lot to narrow down the problem. It's super easy and all you need is a paper clip.

The ground strap on the back of the intake should be secure, and the surface of the intake that it bolts to clean.
Also check the bolts and brackets that support the crossover tube..if they are loose, this can also wreak havoc with the DIS module (mounted onto the crossover tube, the ground strap on the back of the intake is vital for this component to function).

It still sounds like it could be CPS related..but lets not forget that if your engine's being starved for fuel, it obviously wont run. I hear you can use a cheap tire pressure gauge (lolipop looking ones) to check the fuel pressure at the fuel rails...on the drivers side of one of the rails is a shrader valve, with a black cap on it. Fuel pumps should last longer than 68k, but if the fuel filters never been changed..or the cars been run with very little fuel in the tank often..this can shorten the life of a pump. After driving, they start to get hot..and wont function until they've cooled off.

As far as the CPS job, it's not an easy task...but you'd save a butt load of money doing it yourself rather then having a shop do it

Directions for CPS repair:
http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=72

This front 60k tutorial also outlines changing the CPS:
http://www.shophoenixproject.com/lower60k/lower60k.htm

PS, my car is experiencing the same problems at the moment. Wont start occasionally, CEL stays on while cranking..got codes for erratic tach signal and CID failure. But i'm hoping, since it never did this before i removed my intake and painted it, that it's just a problem with the DIS ground. I was told that a bad ground can result in trouble codes relating to the CID or CPS..

 

[I'll sho u]

If you can do it yourself it is not to bad,took me about 3 hours to do. The sensor was about $80 canadian at napa. If you have to pay somone else to do it, it will be expensive.

 

[Indecline]

I have the sensor. The car came with it. I will call some mechanics and get some quotes. I am still pretty new to working on cars. Thank you for the info.

 

[bruce988jl]

just wondering but how much psi should the fuel rails have? And do i check it while the engine is on or off? I'm having the same problems, i bought the Camshaft position sensor and a crankshaft, but i want to make sure what the cause is directly first... If it's the fuel pump then i don't want to go through all the work to install the sensors for nothing. Thanks in advance
-Lee

 

[Redline]

IIRC, there should be 30-40 PSI in the fuel rails when the pump primes them. I think you check it with the key in the on position so the pump is primed but the engine is off, but I may be wrong on this, if so somebody correct me.

 

[Indecline]

The code im getting is 211. It is stored. No codes flashed when I check except 111.

 

[shoteen95]

PIP signal was erratic or missing...

The CPS is responsible for the PIP signal

 

[Indecline]

So replace the CPS? Ok. It looks like a chore to do it yourself. I don't think I can do it. I guess I will get some estimates. Thanx guys.

 

[shoteen95]

if the estimate shocks you to your very soul..you might be able to get some nice SHO owners from around your area to lend you a hand if you chose to tackle it yourself.