Please help decifer codes

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Nov 21, 2014 | 11:29 PM

crazy96863

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 2,387

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From: Northern California

Please help decifer codes

Hey everybody. I'm helping a friend that is having issues with his 2001 explorer. It is a 2 Wheel Drive with a 4 L V6. It has an automatic transmission. I don't have a whole Lotta background on this vehicle as I've never driven it but I do have the codes.

P1309
P0320

I'd appreciate it if y'all could give me some direction as to where I should start diagnosing. Let me know what other information would be useful and I'll get back to you ASAP. Thank you.

Nov 23, 2014 | 11:30 AM

shorod

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Joined: Jun 2009

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From: Cedar Rapids, IA

P1309 - Misfire Monitor Disabled
What it means: When the misfire monitor is disabled, usually due to the input signal generated by the camshaft position (CMP) sensor, by sensing the passage of teeth from the CMP wheel.
Possible causes:

Camshaft position sensor
Powertrain control module
ECT, MAF, and CKP sensors

P0320 - Ignition Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction
What it means: The ignition engine speed sensor input signal to PCM is continuously monitored. The test fails when the signal indicates that two successive erratic profile ignition pickup (PIP) pulses have occurred.
Possible causes:

Loose wires/connectors.
Arcing secondary ignition components (coil, wires and plugs)
On board transmitter (2-way radio)

Both of these codes point toward the Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor circuit. I'd suggest you tell your friend to take a look in that area and start by confirming the sensor wiring is good. Ford has had a history of CMP sensors that fail where they connect to the mechanical drive for the sensor so it is quite possible the CMP sensor is damaged and needs to be replaced.

-Rod

Nov 23, 2014 | 11:41 AM

crazy96863

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 2,387

Likes: 138

From: Northern California

Thanks for the response... It does have new plugs & wires so I don't think those would be arcing.

I will suggest, and assist with changing the camshaft position sensor as a first step. I was also planning on a quick once over on all wired and vacuum connections to try and rule those out.

I assume the camshaft position sensor is mounted on the lower front of the engine, by the camshaft/harmonic damper?

Thanks again!

Nov 23, 2014 | 11:46 AM

crazy96863

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 2,387

Likes: 138

From: Northern California

Sorry you said camshaft position sensor not crankshaft... Is this around where the water pump might be mounted?

Nov 23, 2014 | 10:29 PM

shorod

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 4,817

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From: Cedar Rapids, IA

It might depend on the 4.0L that is in the truck. For the EFI engine (not the SOHC) the CMP sensor is toward the upper rear of the engine. It appears to be pretty much where the distributor would have been mounted if this truck still used a distributor.

On the 4.0L SOHC engine the manual lists the sensor as being located on the LH (driver's side) valve cover.

Maybe someone who has actually replaced the CMP on either of the 4.0 L Explorer engines will chime in with the definitive location....

-Rod

Nov 23, 2014 | 10:59 PM

Graygeorge

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Joined: Dec 2007

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Had a problem with a 98 4.0 SOHC. located on left valve cover. Took it out, wipe it off and put it back in, ran fine then. Good Luck.

Nov 26, 2014 | 11:53 AM

crazy96863

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 2,387

Likes: 138

From: Northern California

Will give that a whirl... Was looking for it in the center of the engine (above the camshaft); assumed it was in the back hidden.

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Nov 29, 2014 | 01:55 AM

crazy96863

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 2,387

Likes: 138

From: Northern California

Just wanted to thank you all for the assistance... Changed the camshaft position sensor & the problem seems to be resolved.

On a side note... All the parts stores & the factory stickers indicate this 4.0L to be a SOHC. The engine however is clearly a OHV. This made for a bit of a challenge when sourcing the part. I am wondering if the engine isnt a transplant of some sort...

Did Ford continue to install the 4.0L OHV through the 2001 model year? Kind of weird that they label it something its not.

Nov 30, 2014 | 10:54 PM

#10

shorod

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 4,817

Likes: 83

From: Cedar Rapids, IA

Thanks for following up with what you found, and congratulations on the fix.

I'm not sure what to tell you on the OHV versus SOHC. You could check Wikipedia to see when they stopped offering the OHV V6 in the Explorer.

-Rod