Camshaft Position Sensor

The cam sensor is located where you would normally find the distributor. The top plastic piece is the actual cam sensor and the piece it's mounted on is called the synchronizer. DO NOT disturb the synchronizer unless you have the knowledge to mark it's position properly before removing or you have the tool required to reset it's position. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Thanks so much.

Your welcome. Leaving positive feedback is appreciated.

i just replace my camshaft sensor when i was doing that i notice that it just was spending around. is there i screw or a pin that goes in it or something?

Hi jlynch777,

Thank you for the donation.

Sorry I am not able to grasp what is meant by the part spending around. Can you please elaborate on which part is " spining "?

What is the reason for replacing the part? Is it a trouble code P0340?

the check engine light was on and it told me to replace the camshaft position sensor. when i was doing the i put the the new one on and it would just spin. if you can call me.

There are supposed to be 2 screws to hold the sensor in position.

i did that. the sensor and the thing that the sensor gos on spins to.
what is the hole for under where the wires hook up at?? is there a pin or a screw go in there so it wount spin??

I read the forum about the ac noise(squealing)and read where it might be the Cam Position Sensor needing lubed up,I have allready changed out both pullys and belt but,have the same problem with the noise after about 5 minutes of driving,I have been spraying wd-40 around the ac pully and seems too work for about 10-15 minutes before noise starts back up(this noise sounds like a scalding cat),could this noise be comming from the ac condenser?.Thanks for any input.

The sensor is plugged into housing and can be turned but not freely. check if the seal is good/correct. there are no pins or lock as explained in the shop manual.

The only advice offered was to note the wire connector position before removal of sensor.

If you have an auto tensioner i would be replacing this.

mark (mhpautos)

I`ve already changed out the Idler and Tensioner pulleys and also the serpentine belt.Do you mean the Tensioner assembly?I`ve really thinks its comming from the ac pulley(inards shaft)cause after I spray it with wd-40 it quits making noise for awhile.

I just need too figure out how too get some grease in and around the shaft and bearings or replace the bearings inside.

Do you mean the compressor bearings?

mark (mhpautos)

Yes sir,the ac compresser shaft.

I had the check engine light come on and throw a P0340 which is the camshaft positioning sensor but it said in parenthesis (bank 1 or single sensor). I changed the camshaft sensor but the the truck threw the same code and the check engine light is still on and the truck has been acting worse and worse everyday. It idles very rough and the engine is losing power. I'm at a loss.

The clutch hub can be replaced in place, but there is a special puller required to take it off, if the main comp bearings are noisy, you will be better of having this professionally o/hauled or replacing the comp as a unit.

mark (mhpautos)

tis can be a couple of things, erase your code and unplug alternator if it goes out that is the problem. but also the cam sensor may be out of sync with cam and that can be a timing belt worn or the sensor out of sync measure voltage between battery ground and vpwr it's marked on pic. if that 's ok then you'll have to dig deeper or go to a pro.

Thank you soo much for your help.

having trouble location cam shaft position sensor on my 97 ford ranger 2.3

Left front engine behind P/S pump

Thank you

im not getting any power to my camshaft sensor. i replaced the sensor and checked my wiring. everything is looking good. I tested the wires and im not getting any power to to the sensor. i do get power to my coil pack, but when i fire the truck up, i don't get any spark. is my PCM busted and need to replace it? I am completely puzzled. please help.

Hi are you saying that the truck will run . your post said when you fire the truck you are getting no spark?

it will not run. Im getting no spark when i turn the truck over, but im getting power to my coil pack. When the camshaft sensor doesn't send out a signal, the coil pack doesn't fire and the injectors don't release fuel. I need to know when my cam sensor isn't recieving any power. its not getting any power right from the PCM, so is there a way to bypass the PCM to see if that is the problem?

when you crank the engine watch your tach is it moving while cranking. i would suspect the crank sensor

i don't have a tach. i hooked the truck up to a diagnostic tool and the only code that came up was for the cam sensor.

i see your dillima' but the gets only a 5 volt ref from the crank shaft sensor.you have to test while cranking for a 5 volt ref sig if it is recieving that signal crank sensor is working then you have a bad cam sensor there is always a possibility that the ecm has failed but you have to pinpoint first where the failure is


the camshaft sensor tells the pcm and other controls when the eng is at top dead center and which injector and coil to fire. your post say's you have no spark at all
no injector pulse . you possibly have a eec relay failed



this will be the brown relay at your relay panel. jump that relay and see if it fires the injectors

Engine Mechanical problem
1994 Ford Ranger 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

where is the camshaft position sensor on this vehical

where is the cmp and ignition control module on a 1993 2.3 L  ford ranger xlt

hope this helps

Where is it located at?

This is the best picture I can find with my available resources. It looks like its next to the intake on the firewall side.

I was driving around like normal the other day in my well maintained (by me) truck and all of a sudden it just died on me! No sputter, no jerk, no pop, no nothing...it just died. I asked everyone and their brother what could be wrong with it and evryone seemed to have a different answer. I changed the fuel filter, which really needed it anyways, and checked the fuel pump. Pump works fine and fuel filter is great, still no start. I bought an OBD i to check the computer, came up clean, reset the computer anyways. Still no start. It cranks but no ignition. Unfortunately I had it towed into a mechanic's shop, which I try at all cost to avoid. I was told it is a camshaft position sensor. They want way too much money to repair it and the part is reasonable at the auto parts store. Anyways, my question is this: Is this a hard task to do or is there any special tools I need to get this job done? I was an aircraft mechanic in the USAF so I consider myself to be good with a wrench but I have no idea how to tackle this issue. I heard the sensor I have to replace is behind the timing belt...etc. Also I was wondering if it might be the crankshaft sensor...I thought they said it was one or the other. Which one does my truck have? Anyone that can help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

It's not too difficult but you do need to take off the Ac, power steering, fan, belt, and timing cover then you will see the sensor attached to the bottom on the timing. When you get the new sensor there is a way to take off the plug so you don't need to take all the timing off. There should be a red tab, pull that out and you should be able to pull off the plastic plug and rubber square piece. Do the same to the old one and pull it through. Then push the need one through that same hole and reassemble.