Camshaft position sensor

[DougAMiller]

I've had a camshaft position sensor code pop up a couple of times in the last month or so, and I was wondering how exactly it is used on the 2005 non-flex 5.3. It doesn't have VVT, so it seems a bit redundant with the crankshaft position sensor. I suppose as the timing chain stretches over time, the crankshaft position sensor would be a less accurate indicator of the cam position. Is that the only reason for having both? I intend to change the sensor soon, but maybe someone on here could tell me what will happen if the sensor fails completely? Will the PCM refuse to let the engine run?

 

[wjburken]

It confirms that the cam and the crank are synced. If you jump a tooth or break your timing chain, the cam sensor will sense that the cam is not synced with your crank.

 

[OR VietVet]

While replacing sensors will not keep a timing chain from stretching, I thought of the same thing and recently replaced the MAF, MAP, cam and crank sensors just as a maintenance step. I also kept all the old parts for just in case. I can say this, with the old parts every now and then I would get a blip in the idle when in a drive thru line or at the bank and idling for a long time. I now have no more blip in the idle.

 

[DougAMiller]

Wow, what a pain! I managed to replace the camshaft position sensor today, and I didn't have to pull the intake manifold, as some suggest doing. But man, it's tight and you can't see anything you're doing, it's all by feel. Surprisingly though, I didn't drop the bolt and have to go hunting for it, and I managed to do it in 20 minutes out and another 20 minutes in. And I thought the oil pressure sensor was tough. Since the camshaft sensor is right beside the oil pressure sensor, I guess having replaced it twice gave me practice for the camshaft sensor.

 

[dougo]

How may miles on the truck ??

 

[ScottieTooHottie]

My Cam Sensor code was caused by frayed wiring at the connector to the sensor. I picked up a new connector and pigtail with about 8 inches of wire online for about ten bucks. It was a little tricky to cut, splice, solder and heat shrink it but that did the trick. Plus I returned the replacement sensor.

 

[DougAMiller]

How may miles on the truck ??

About 205,000

 

[Joseph Garcia]

My Cam Sensor code was caused by frayed wiring at the connector to the sensor. I picked up a new connector and pigtail with about 8 inches of wire online for about ten bucks. It was a little tricky to cut, splice, solder and heat shrink it but that did the trick. Plus I returned the replacement sensor.

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