Camshaft Position Sensor: Service and Repair

Camshaft Position Sensor Location:

The camshaft position sensor is located on the timing chain case/cover on the left-front side of the engine.

Sensor Depth Positioning Rib:

A thin plastic rib is molded into the face of the sensor to position the depth of sensor to the A upper cam gear (sprocket). This rib can be found on both the new replacement sensors and sensors that were originally installed to the engine. The first time the engine has been operated, part of this rib may be sheared (ground) off. Depending on parts tolerances, some of the rib material may still be observed after removal.

Refer to either of the following procedures, Sensor Removal-Replacing Old Sensor With Original, or Sensor Removal-Replacing With New Sensor:

SENSOR REMOVAL-REPLACING OLD SENSOR WITH ORIGINAL
If the original camshaft position sensor is to be removed and installed, such as when servicing the timing chain, timing gears or timing chain cover, use this procedure.
1. Disconnect the sensor harness connector from the sensor.
2. Remove the sensor mounting bolt.
3. Carefully pry the sensor from the timing chain case/cover in a rocking action with two small screwdrivers.
4. Remove the sensor from vehicle.

Camshaft Sensor O-ring:

5. Check condition of sensor O-ring.

INSTALLATION
When installing a used camshaft position sensor, the sensor depth must be adjusted to prevent contact with the camshaft gear (sprocket).
1. Observe the face of the sensor. If any of the original rib material remains, it must be cut down flush to the face of the sensor with a razor knife. Remove only enough of the rib material until the face of the sensor is flat. Do not remove more material than necessary as damage to sensor may result. Due to a high magnetic field and possible electrical damage to the sensor, never use an electric grinder to remove material from sensor.
2. From the parts department, obtain a peel-and- stick paper space. These special paper spacers are of a certain thickness and are to be used as a tool to set sensor depth.
3. Clean the face of sensor and apply paper spacer.
4. Apply a small amount of engine oil to the sensor O-ring.

Sensor Operation:

A low and high area are machined into the camshaft drive gear. The sensor is positioned in the timing gear cover so that a small air gap exists between the face of sensor and the high machined area of cam gear.

Before the sensor is installed, the cam gear may have to be rotated. This is to allow the high machined area on the gear to be directly in front of the sensor mounting hole opening on the timing gear cover.

Sensor Depth Dimensions:

Do not install sensor with gear positioned at low area. When the engine is started, the sensor will be broken.
5. Using a 1/2 in. wide metal ruler, measure the distance from the cam gear to the face of the sensor mounting hole opening on the timing gear cover.
6. If the dimension is approximately 1.818 inches, it is OK to install sensor. Proceed to step Step 9.
7. If the dimension is approximately 2.018 inches, the cam gear will have to be rotated.
8. Attach a socket to the vibration damper mounting bolt and rotate engine until the 1.818 inch dimension is attained.
9. Install the sensor into the timing case/cover with a slight rocking action until the paper spacer contacts the camshaft gear. Do not install the sensor mounting bolt. Do not twist the sensor into position as damage to the O-ring or tearing of the paper spacer may result.
10. Scratch a scribe line into the timing chain case/cover to indicate depth of sensor.
11. Remove the sensor from timing chain case/ cover.
12. Remove the paper spacer from the sensor. This step must be followed to prevent the paper spacer from getting into the engine lubrication system.
13. Again, apply a small amount of engine oil to sensor O-ring.
14. Again, install the sensor into the timing case/ cover with a slight rocking action until the sensor is aligned to scribe line.
15. Install sensor mounting bolt and tighten to 6 Nm (50 in. lbs.) torque.
16. Connect engine wiring harness to sunsor

SENSOR REMOVAL-REPLACING WITH NEW SENSOR
If a new replacement camshaft position sensor is to be installed, use this procedure.
1. Disconnect the sensor wiring harness connector from sensor.
2. Remove the sensor mounting bolt.
3. Carefully pry the sensor from the timing chain case/cover in a rocking action with two small screwdrivers.
4. Remove the sensor from vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. Apply a small amount of engine oil to the sensor O-ring.

A low and high area are machined into the camshaft drive gear. The sensor is positioned in the timing gear cover so that a small air gap exists between the face of sensor and the high machined area of cam gear.

Before the sensor is installed, the cam gear may have to be rotated. This is to allow the high machined area on the gear to be directly in front of the sensor mounting hole opening on the timing gear cover.

Do not install sensor with gear positioned at low area. When the engine is started, the sensor will be broken.
2. Using a 1/2 in. wide metal ruler, measure the distance from the cam gear to the face of the sensor mounting hole opening on the timing gear cover.
3. If the dimension is approximately 1.818 inches, it is OK to install sensor. Proceed to step Step 9.
4. If the dimension is approximately 2.018 inches, the cam gear will have to be rotated.
5. Attach a socket to the vibration damper mounting bolt and rotate engine until the 1.818 inch dimension is attained.
6. Install the sensor into the timing case/cover with a slight rocking action. Do not twist the sensor into position as damage to the O-ring may result. Push the sensor all the way into the cover until the rib material on the sensor contacts the camshaft gear.
7. Install the mounting bolt and tighten to 6 Nm (50 in. lbs.) torque.
8. Connect sensor wiring harness to engine harness.
When the engine is started, the rib material will be sheared off the face of sensor. This will automatically set sensor air gap.