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Below is a collection of Jim Grant's Tech Tips sorted by Vehicle Make. These Tech Tips were answers to questions submitted to Jim by ALLDATAdiy.com users over the course of many years.
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  Jim Grant's Tech Tips

Ford Aerostar, Bad Cam Sensor?

Q: I have a Ford Aerostar van with a V6. We were on a trip when our check engine light came on. I took it to Auto Zone to get it checked on their computer. The code that came up was P0340 and they told me it was the camshaft sensor. I bought one and installed it. The old one was melted. I put the new one in, turned the van on and the light was off. I ran the van for a few minutes, turned it off and restarted it, the light turned on. I took the negative side of the battery off and reset the light. I drove it for about 5 miles came home, turned it off, turned it back on and the light was back again. I took it back to Auto Zone once again to check it with their computer. The same code appeared. They reset the light and again it came back on. I took it back and again and same code. They installed a new camshaft position sensor, thinking that it was a bad part they sold me. I drove it, and again the light came back. The code that keeps showing is for the camshaft sensor. What else could it be? I'm going nuts here... Dave

A: The computer in your vehicle, as with many, will turn the warning light on if it fails to see a signal from the camshaft position sensor or, if the signal is not in phase with the crankshaft position sensor. The computer expects to see a signal from the cam sensor that coincides with information that is sees from the crankshaft position sensor. If the signals don’t match up right, then the computer gets upset and turns the warning light on. What I’m really curious about is how or why did the camshaft signal sensor melt? If it melted, what happened to the connector for the sensor? Is there a chance that there is a broken or damaged wire? If the wires are okay then the signal to the computer has to be checked. Most aftermarket computer scan tools have a problem reporting this information. You may have to find a shop that has a lab scope or a scan tool with OEM compatible software to get to the bottom of the problem.

 
     
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