Cam Sensor help needed!
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Idaho
Cam Sensor help needed!
Hey guys, I know this is a common problem and is posted alot, but my cam sensor went out on my Baby yesterday (2000 PSD w/101,000 miles and still runs as strong as when I bought it!). To dark and cold to install new one tonight! I have read alot of posts, some which even showed pictures and gave some instructions which is very handy, but said it is a 15 minute job, CHA RIGHT! lol. My question is do you tackle the darn thing from the top or the bottom? I see it way down in the middle about 10 o'clock between two pulleys. I also read it is easier when the belt is removed also, but what would be the best way to remove the belt? Is there anything else I can do to maybe make this job easier? Any suggestions or advice would be deeply appreciated. Thanks! Elkslayer
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Star, Idaho
- Access from bottom.
- No need to remove belt.
- 10mm wrench BOX END to prevent stripping head, it's VERY tight.
- Wiggle to remove, o-ring causes a little drag.
Did mine 4 weeks ago, 95 PSD at 125,000 miles.
- No need to remove belt.
- 10mm wrench BOX END to prevent stripping head, it's VERY tight.
- Wiggle to remove, o-ring causes a little drag.
Did mine 4 weeks ago, 95 PSD at 125,000 miles.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
It's a pretty easy reach from the bottom. Use an extension to get your ratchet out past the belt. Some folks have reported that the bolt was very tight, but mine broke loose with only moderate pressure, but then again, I am large and extremely powerful 
(I know, I know, oder isn't everything 
)
(I know, I know, oder isn't everything )
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 77
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From: Indiana
15 minutes is about right. That includes the time it took for me to go back in for 2 minutes to warm up my hands.
I think I could have done it without removing the belt, but I removed it anyway since that is so easy. Just take a 1/2" drive socet wrench or break bar (preferable) and plug it into the belt tensioner (beneath the AC compressor towards the passenger side). Pull up and the belt becomes loose. Same thing for installation.
As for the CPS, I did 2 things to see if I could get the 10 mm bolt loose. Both worked.
-10 mm 3/8" drive socket with a 3" extension
-10 mm 1/2" drive deep impact socket
Take it off from the bottom. When you go to put it back in, I placed it in there from the bottom but couldn't get it to snap into place because of the o-ring. So I started tightening the bolt a little. Then from the top, I was able to get more leverage (awkward hand position from the bottom) to push it in all the way. Maybe if I were more manly I could have done it all from the bottom.
Really is pretty easy. That's the only solace for their crappy part.
I think I could have done it without removing the belt, but I removed it anyway since that is so easy. Just take a 1/2" drive socet wrench or break bar (preferable) and plug it into the belt tensioner (beneath the AC compressor towards the passenger side). Pull up and the belt becomes loose. Same thing for installation.
As for the CPS, I did 2 things to see if I could get the 10 mm bolt loose. Both worked.
-10 mm 3/8" drive socket with a 3" extension
-10 mm 1/2" drive deep impact socket
Take it off from the bottom. When you go to put it back in, I placed it in there from the bottom but couldn't get it to snap into place because of the o-ring. So I started tightening the bolt a little. Then from the top, I was able to get more leverage (awkward hand position from the bottom) to push it in all the way. Maybe if I were more manly I could have done it all from the bottom.
Really is pretty easy. That's the only solace for their crappy part.
Last edited by BenRosey; Jan 10, 2004 at 01:39 AM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
When you go to put it back in, I placed it in there from the bottom but couldn't get it to snap into place because of the o-ring.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
All the tips and advice you've gotten so far are very true. What I also found to be important was getting positioned under the truck correctly. I wound up laying with my feet wrapped around the driver's side front tire, and my head under the CPS. For me, using the 3/8" drive socket with a 2" extension allowed me to work from the front of the belt. Once I got squared away under there with the right tools and position, it really only took 15 minutes. Getting the right tools and finding the right position took a little longer. 
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 632
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From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Be sure to use a six point socket. I have heard of several people stripping the head of the bolt using a twelve point.
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From: Idaho
You guys ROCK!, thanks for all the quick responses, I am going to take all this info and run with it tommorrow. I tell ya, its really nice to have a site that you can go to for help. Once again thank you! Ford PSD Forever!!!
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Idaho
hey guys, I installed my new cam sensor today, 10 degrees outside (brrrrrrrr) 20 min tops. Thanks again for the advice, and Quad, the rap your legs around the tire method really helped, thanks. Elkslayer
. Elkslayer
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