periodic cutting out and tach drop

[t5535]

My 94 mtx is causing some trouble. It runs great most of the time but every so often it has a fit lol. It cuts out real bad and the tach drops to 0 and the check engine light comes on. It comes out of it but it is a pain when it does it. It seems to me getting worse. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[frosho]

Anytime you see a check engine light, the first step is to check the codes. Procedure - http://www.shophoenixproject.com/eec/eec.htm

Sounds like your cam sensor is going out. You'll probably see a 214 when you check the codes.

 

[t5535]

Anytime you see a check engine light, the first step is to check the codes. Procedure - http://www.shophoenixproject.com/eec/eec.htm

Sounds like your cam sensor is going out. You'll probably see a 214 when you check the codes.

codes are 214 and 542 from what I could tell. Where can i get the description on what the codes mean?

 

[t5535]

looks like cam sensor. is there A sticky on how to change or test it? the motor was put in the car about 7000 miles ago so maybe a wiring prob. It only does it periodically so do you think it is the sensor it the wiring?

 

[deven.coffey]

I would check both the cam and crank sensor since they do the same job in different places, I just had both of mine replaced to get the same issue as you to stop. The tach would cut out and the car would buck or bump as it were. Mine is also a 94 mtx.

Just pray it's the cam sensor since the crank sensor is a B*$&% to replace

 

[frosho]

looks like cam sensor. is there A sticky on how to change or test it? the motor was put in the car about 7000 miles ago so maybe a wiring prob. It only does it periodically so do you think it is the sensor it the wiring?

I don't know of any way to test it, but it's part of the "front" or "lower" 60k mile service which is described in detail on the SHO Phoenix Project site. http://www.shophoenixproject.com/lower60k/lower60k.htm
Just skip to the cam sensor section. And I wouldn't suspect the wiring unless I had a reason to (i.e. a new sensor produces the same problems).

I would check both the cam and crank sensor since they do the same job in different places, I just had both of mine replaced to get the same issue as you to stop. The tach would cut out and the car would buck or bump as it were. Mine is also a 94 mtx.

Just pray it's the cam sensor since the crank sensor is a B*$&% to replace

You're over-simplifying the issue. They do not do the same job. Similar, yes, but not the same. The code points only to the cam sensor, and the same goes for the symptoms. There's no reason to suspect there is anything wrong with the crank sensor.

 

[rubydist]

the symptoms described are due to cam sensor, not crank sensor. Furthermore, 214 is a code for cam sensor, not crank sensor.

542 is a 'junk' code that results from an engine stall.

There does not appear to be any reason to replace the crank sensor at this time.

 

[t5535]

I am gonna change the cam sensor tomorrow. I will post the outcome.

Thanks allot for the help.

 

[deven.coffey]

Didn't mean to imply he should worry about the crank sensor. Just wanted to mention it since I just had both of mine go out back to back.

 

[AREA 91]

When you remove the cam sensor, check to see if there is any oil.
If there is, replace the camshaft seal.

 

[t5535]

yup it was the cam sensor. there was no oil.