camshaft position sensor - CEL

[sequoiagrapeboy]

OK. I have a feeling this really sucks but any help or advice would greatly be appreciated.

I recently performed the timing belt/water pump/accessory belt/thermostat change on my 99 2.0L and have traveled roughly 600 miles with no problems but the CEL came on (just yesterday at 75,500) and I tested it with an OBD II scanner from Auto Zone.

Car is running absolutely fine perhaps a tiny bit less miles per gallon but I am not certain of this.

Codes read: P0341 Camshaft position sensor bank 1 circuit range/performance

and a p/d code P0301 Cylinder one misfire detected, which is one that was diagnosed by a mechanic previously, perhaps 800 miles ago, and at the time they replaced the spark plug wire.

I am absolutely trembling thinking about having to tear everything apart AGAIN to get at the camshaft sensor. It took every ounce of my mechanical ability or disability to do it before and I am SO hoping that someone can help!

I am screwed?

[hannaco]

Before you panic, do this: get out your digital multi-meter and check the resistance between the pins. You are looking for greater than 2 Meg Ohms between two pins, and less then 100K Ohms between the other two. Unless you got oil inside the sensor, it should be OK.

[sequoiagrapeboy]

Just for everyone's edification regarding this sensor thing it turns out, after removing the upper belt guard that my belt slipped a good two notches (after my recent timing belt change) and my tensioner was way off -- about one inch away from the alignment nib.

If I understand things correctly, my engine and it sensors automatically advance the timing to a certain point but after too much slippage the sensor kicks on to alert the driver that a problem is occurring.

Because the car was still driving quite well (except for perhaps a bit less miles per gallon) and I sure as heck would not have known that something was up.

Any way I am going to clear the code with the scanner from Auto Zone and see what happens.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the tip Hannaco; I really appreciate it!

[yellowherbie]

Hey! My car just had this part replaced. I Had my brotehr in law do it, because well... I wasnt going to tear my car apart not knowing what I was doing.

He said it was easy. The part was about 70 bucks, and the labor was free..

Knock on wood, nothing else goes wrong!