Possible cam angle sensor issue...

[KC240RB]

A few weeks back my original cam angle sensor broke. The shaft part snapped completely in half at the bearing. So I finally was able to purchase another used one and received it today. Installed the sensor and the car fired right up. I let the car idle for 15-20 minutes. I then take the car around the neighborhood block to make sure everything is set fine. I make it 1/4 mile when the car stumbles and completely dies. I try and try to get the car to fire up but no luck. It just cranked and cranked. I tow the car home and tinker with it some. The car cranks with a stumble here and there. If I disconnect the harness from the sensor it cranks over very smooth with no hickups. But if I plug the harness in and try adjusting the sensor I get hickups in the cranking. I have a spark test light and checked for spark on each coil and all checked out good. So then I pulled the cam sensor off with it plugged in and turned the key to the on position to check the injectors and they all are clicking. So I am starting to think I may need to check somewhere else. Defenitely sounds like a timing issue so

[Carl H]

is the cam alignment tab on the driving dog in the exhaust cam gear still intact?sounds like it might have broken off and if thats the case you'll have to manually align and stab the cas.

[KC240RB]

I'll take a picture of how everything looks. Everything still looks intact though...

[KC240RB]

The used sensor...

Looking in on the other end...

[Carl H]

check the ignitor.

[KC240RB]

I would think if the ignitor was bad I wouldn't get spark at the coils. I have a test light I am able to install in between each coil and spark plug and check for spark. Each coil/plug shows spark...

[KC240RB]

Thanks for your assistance Carl in giving me ideas... I ran out of things to inspect and the only thing left to do was to open up the new/used cas. Sure enough the exact same thing happened to this unit as the last one. So now I am in search of another cas. Only thing I can think that is causing this to happen is the cas is not sitting flush and as the key from the cam rotates it breaks the shaft in the cas. I did notice as I tightened down the cas it pushes the cas bracket out away from the exhaust cam gear. So I may have to rig up very small spacers to allow the cas to sit flush.


Modified by KC240RB at 9:55 AM 1/3/2009

[240z4u]

Are you running an upper timing cover? Is the tab on the end of the cam straight? Crank the motor while watching. Look for runout.

If not, replace the bracket. IMO shims aren't the way to go here unless your running no upper timing cover.

Evan

[KC240RB]

That does make sense. I actually recently removed the upper timing cover. Does the timing cover help keep things straight? I have never heard of this issue so I never thought about that.

[Carl H]

gotta remove the small spacers from the crumbly rubber gasket on the timing cover.no timing cover is for ricers, if anything cut a small window on the front but even then its kinda ghetto.

[KC240RB]

Thanks again Carl. I went and inspected the upper timing cover and see exactly why I kept breaking cas's. I ordered another cas today and when it gets here I will be installing the upper cover back on.

[xs13 parkerx]

where did u get your cas?