97 hardbody camshaft position sensor

[mkstorres]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and hoping to find some help. Short version: I've had the truck for a few years now and it has been really reliable.I've been teaching my daughter to drive it and while she was today, the check engine light came on. Put the scanner on it and it says "camshaft position sensor A Bank 1 circuit malfunction" Truck still runs fine but obviously needs some attention. Is this a part I can get at the parts store and do myself or do I need to take it in? I've tried looking up images of it but not sure I'm getting the right ones. If its the one on the bellhousing I'm sure I can handle it but I've seen some info that there's a sensor built into the distributor as well. I also read that sometimes you can pull them out and clean off any shavings that may be on them and get an accurate read. Just looking for some direction. Oh and yes I'm descent at mechanical. Thanks in advance for any help.

[ezb57e]

This is a 4 cylinder, right?
The distributor is the camshaft position sensor.
They make aftermarket ones, and they are pretty easy to change.
Not much chance there is anything to clean off. Sometimes they get oil up in them but they are still need replacement.
Mark the position of the rotor and make sure the new one is in exactly the same way.
The sensor in the bell housing is the crankshaft position sensor.

[mkstorres]

Sorry, yes it's a 4 cylinder. I kept researching and came up with what you are telling me, guess I should have been a little more patient. I cleared the code on the truck and am waiting to see if it does a hard failure, until then I'm not in to big a hurry to buy a new distributor as I researched those also and their a little on the expensive side. Not sure if this is the best idea but it's what I'm goin with for now. Thank you very much for the reply, it did confirm what I was finding.