What To Do After Replacing Camshaft Sensor? Easier Than You Thought!

Suppose you drive along and there suddenly your car will stall maybe when you come to a halt at traffic lights or roundabout. In that case, a cam sensor could be a great help to change the engine control for ultimate fuel power. If any sensors fail, hence the engine becomes rough to run or even causes problems to start the vehicle, then, you need to replace the camshaft position sensor. 

Now the question is, what to do after replacing camshaft sensor? When you replace the camshaft sensor, you need to take a diagnostic scanner to cancel the error code after failing. Remember that the code is stored in the engine controller. Also the camshaft position scanner can’t repair or reuse if it fails. 

That’s a glimpse of your initiative. But, you need to know a lot. In the following discussion, we will notify you of those. Hopefully, you can get the camshaft position sensor-related problem at the right time. So, let’s get started. 

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How to Check a Cam Sensor?

• Typically, you will find the crankshaft sensor on the bottom of your engine behind the harmonic balancer. In some cars, the crankshaft sensor is located on the back of the engine on the bell housing.

• There are a few different types of crankshaft or camshaft sensors available. But, in our discussion, we only focus on one type, camshaft sensors.

• To discuss, we choose the magnetic type sensor. This type of sensor comes with two wires and produces their voltage. 

• While testing, you don’t need to remove the sensor from the car; instead, you can do it from your car. 

• First, you need to look at the plastic housing of your sensor to see whether there are any major cracks or damage or if it’s bent out of shape. Those signs will indicate you have a bad sensor.

• Now, get your multimeter to do a resistance test. Then, you need to put the multimeter on the ohms settings. As the resistance, we get about 2000 to 2500 ohms of resistance in our camshaft position sensor. 

• You can choose 20,000 ohms on the scale of this multimeter, and then we will take our measurement. Now, we get 2.01 thousand ohms of resistance or 2010 ohms.

• Also, you need to examine the condition of the connector for your sensor. 

What to Do After Replacing Camshaft Sensor?

After replacing the camshaft sensor, you need to choose one from those two different things. One is either you can reprogram, or you don’t.

What you do after Re-Program:

The suitable time of firing the injection and ignition can be determined using ECM with your old crankshaft sensor and new camshaft sensor. Also, ECM will notify you of the time between the module and sensor the signal pulses to and from. 

You can use that time against your present data table to know the suitable time difference between the pulse separations. 

In the optimal reading, you don’t need to program the sensor. Sometimes the sensor may show error code after replacing. 

Now, you need to examine all the connector issues and then write and repair or cancel them. After that, you still get codes. Then, don’t worry, your camshaft sensor is fine and nothing wrong occurs herein. 

When to Re-Program:

The sensor demands relearning some things because of the installment’s variation. But, that thing depends on the manufacturer and the professional’s service. The previous data table’s information will be reset because of that relearn. 

Then, the meaning of the signal’s new sensor will be learned by ECM. If this is the case, the sensor needs to be reprogrammed. 

Otherwise, you may see trouble codes, and the engine performance becomes poor, eventually because of low power conditions. 

That’s why the local car dealership is considered the ideal place to reprogram and re-learn the sensor. 

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What to do after replacing crankshaft sensor?

Some owners complained that they got error codes after replacing the crankshaft sensor. 

So, what do you do then? If you face that issue, remember that the problem isn’t associated with the wiring between the ECU and the sensor. You can check the rubber ‘O’ ring that came out along with the old sensor. 

Most importantly, don’t forget to remember that the air gap between the replacement sensor and the tone wheel will increase if the ring lies in the sensor cavity. That is the cause of showing the error code. Also, cleaning the power steering reservoir after replacing your crankshaft sensor is always a good idea!

How long does it take to replace a camshaft sensor?

Interestingly, removing and replacing the camshaft sensor from your vehicle is easy. Plus, replacing a camshaft sensor doesn’t take much time. Usually, the replacement may take about 5-10 minutes. 

Let’s see some important points while replacing.

• Whenever you work with electrical components or sensors, you have to disconnect the positive battery cable.

• After removing, diagnose the pigtail to find any damage or dirt. Remember that corrosion and oil could hamper the signal from the sensor to the engine control module. Also, you need to carefully examine the sensor to ensure it does not leak another engine component. If you see any damage, you need to repair the leak to prevent the new sensor from being damaged. Moreover, examine to ensure the o-ring from the sensor hasn’t fallen into its hole.

• After replacing, push the new sensor into place, replace the bolt and electrical connector, and tighten the bolt based on the manufacturer’s specifications. But be careful that the bolt isn’t overtighten because it may damage the mounting ear of the new sensor.

• Finally, you need to check the engine light is still on after replacing the camshaft position sensor.

How much does it cost to replace the camshaft sensor?

To me, the CMP (camshaft position) sensor replacement cost depends on the following variables:

• Pricing charts from the different automotive experts
• Cost of parts associated with the vehicle and
• The labor cost in your area

Generally, CMP sensor cost to replace typically lies between $95 to $200. On that, the cost of the parts is higher, about $25 to $100. Then, if you take professional help, the labor cost will be $70 to $100. 

However, the luxury vehicle may cost you more than other traditional cars. 

Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement Cost (Average):  

I think, On average, based on different variables, facts and features, if I said that the average cost is around $205 plus, then it wouldn’t be exaggerated.  However, if you have other faulty parts that require fixing, such as fixing a faulty radiator, the cost might increase.

Let’s talk about the pricing of Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement for different car models in the following chart.

Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement for different car models: Pricing chart

What is the best camshaft sensor?

Genuine Ford F4TZ-12K073-C Camshaft Position Sensor

Ford F4TZ-12K073-C CMP Sensor could be the best pick to make the engine run smoothly with more power. Plus, you won’t face any hiccups in the engine. The manufacturer uses tin or aluminum material for the connector pins. 

Warning: Before loosening the bolt to remove the sensor, you need to take the sensor wire off. 

If you are suffering from idle issues with your vehicle, hopefully, it will solve that along with improving throttle response.

The last blissful thing is you can easily install it on your vehicle.

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ACDelco GM Original Equipment 213-1557 Engine Camshaft Position Sensor

General Motor recommends this camshaft position sensor for their vehicle. The manufacturer uses state-of-the-art-technology herein. Plus, you won’t face any engine light and codes. 

The changing system is simple- all you need to unplug the wiring => remove a bolt, pull it out, and then reverse the process. Hopefully, all the process can be done within 5 minutes.

Warning: While installing, you need to use some lubricant for the seal so as to not install it dry.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs): Replacing camshaft sensor

Final Thought

After bringing your vehicle to the servicing center, the mechanic doesn’t check your camshaft position scanner. You need to tell them to check carefully. 

Hopefully, our discussion will teach you when you tell them to check. Plus isn’t overtightened; you become aware when the camshaft position scanner demands changing and what to do after replacing the camshaft sensor.

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Robert Lozano

My name is Robert Lozano, and I am an automotive enthusiast and author. A great passion for engineering has fueled my desire to share my skills and educate others on challenging engineering terms and topics. Thanks to our readers, I am currently receiving a lot of nice feedback. While writing an article, I am always learning and assessing myself.

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