Cam Sensor failure
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
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Cam Sensor failure
Have 2002 F 350 7.3 PSD, 4x4 cc, auto, 4"exaust/downpipe, k&n filter, SuperTuner, and Gages.
Was pulling my 7500 lb trailer up a steep hill in the mountians of Colorado, truck driving fine as always, when truck power went off, like someone turned off the ignation. Lost power stearing, brakes, trailer brakes etc. When finally got pulled over to side of interstate, "check guage" and "battery" lights were illuminated, and the truck would not start.
After having everything towed 40 miles to the local Ford Dealership, they informed me the, CAM Sensor failed!
Question: Has anyone else heard of this? Is it common? Can I do anything about it?
Lucky I was going uphill instead of down when it failed as I had not brakes, and the trailer is very pushy going downhill.
Spoke to shop who installed chip, and they said the Tuner had nothing to do with it.
Was pulling my 7500 lb trailer up a steep hill in the mountians of Colorado, truck driving fine as always, when truck power went off, like someone turned off the ignation. Lost power stearing, brakes, trailer brakes etc. When finally got pulled over to side of interstate, "check guage" and "battery" lights were illuminated, and the truck would not start.
After having everything towed 40 miles to the local Ford Dealership, they informed me the, CAM Sensor failed!
Question: Has anyone else heard of this? Is it common? Can I do anything about it?
Lucky I was going uphill instead of down when it failed as I had not brakes, and the trailer is very pushy going downhill.
Spoke to shop who installed chip, and they said the Tuner had nothing to do with it.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 211
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From: Reno USA
Cam Sensor failure
This sensor is nortorious for going out. Many of us here on the FTE's site carry an extra one with us. As johnsdiesel said, do a search on this site for CPS sensor and you will get lots of information on the subject.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 305
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From: Cleveland Area
Cam Sensor failure
It is a half an hour, if that, job to do and you can do it on the road if you have to - thus the guys keeping a spare with them. I went 125000 miles without a problem and just changed mine so it did not catch me in a bad location.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 184
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From: Goleta, CA
Have a 01 F250 PSD and every once in a while it just dies at the stop light. Starts imediatly, some times does it twice in a short time span then runs like nothing happened. Have 80K mi. on the OD. Is this the cam sensor giving me fair warning?Jack G.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Black Hills of SD
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
PWRPROD-
Your symptoms are classic for a CPS that is starting to go. That's exactly what mine did, only dying occasionally, then it increased in frequency. If I had continued without changing it, it would have started to die while moving.
When you go to get your part, get it from International. There, it'll cost you $86. At Ford, the same part in the same bag will cost you twice that.
Your symptoms are classic for a CPS that is starting to go. That's exactly what mine did, only dying occasionally, then it increased in frequency. If I had continued without changing it, it would have started to die while moving.
When you go to get your part, get it from International. There, it'll cost you $86. At Ford, the same part in the same bag will cost you twice that.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 52
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From: northwest Connecticut
I have a 97 PSD and had my cam sensor go south on me as well, just as you decribed it was like someone fliped a switch and "boom" no power. My local Ford guy says it was the cam sensor, replaced it and no more problems. He told me that the sensor tells the computer where, in the 360 degree rotation, the motor is and the computer will fire the right injector. With out that information the computer gets confused and will just shut everything down to prevent dammage to the motor.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 273
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From: Texas
Does anyone know why this part goes out so easily? Over 6 different diesel trucks I have never had to replace one, unless the dealer did it and I never saw the part listed.
Does the temperature of the area you drive affect its' life?
Guess I will get a spare at International, just in case.
Does the temperature of the area you drive affect its' life?
Guess I will get a spare at International, just in case.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
My uncle is a tech for Ford, they see PSD trucks everyday with bad Cam Positon Sensors. It's so common that it's the first thing they look at when a customer complains about their truck dying. If the truck is not starting, they crank the engine and look for a tachometer reading. If there is no reading during cranking...the sensor has failed.
I also keep a spare sensor in my glove box (IH part), because my uncle told me about this issue when I bought the truck. 68,000 miles on my '99 so far. The sensor was changed once about 9,000 miles ago.
I also keep a spare sensor in my glove box (IH part), because my uncle told me about this issue when I bought the truck. 68,000 miles on my '99 so far. The sensor was changed once about 9,000 miles ago.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Hint#1 IH had a supply problem with CPS's on the 7.3DTI and we made a change of suppliers some time ago. Ford may not have made a change with ther replacement parts as they do not get all 7.3 parts from us. As stated earler, try a replacement from your IH dealer and it is not hard to replace.......