2001 Ford Taurus Cam sensor


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Old 10-28-09, 08:05 AM
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2001 Ford Taurus Cam sensor

Ok here goes. My friend has a 2001 Ford Taurus FF capable vehicle. 3.0L V-6. Unsure of mileage. About a month ago the Check Engine light came on. Well we just had the codes read and it came up with Cam Position Sensor. Bought the Cam Position Sensor, and am wondering where it's at. I've read it could be at the front of the engine OR back of the engine. What labels the front and back of the engine? I consider the front where the pulleys are, but seeing as it's a front wheel drive vehicle, the pulleys are on the passenger side of the car. Any help would be appreciated. Also any special tools required to remove/replace it?

Cory
 
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Old 10-28-09, 03:58 PM
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3.0L (VIN S) Engine

Front of the engine attached to the forward cylinder head.

3.0L (VIN U, 2) Engines

At the rear of the engine between the cylinder banks.

Credit Auto Zone

"Front" and "rear" can be confusing, but yes the "pulley" end is often referred to as the front of the engine.

In the above references the first works out to be the "pulley" end of the front (towards the radiator) bank.

The second is the non-pulley end betweeen the cylinder heads.

Not sure, but I don't think it will require any special tools; usually couple of bolts.
 
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Old 10-28-09, 04:05 PM
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I looked on the Autozone site. I couldn't find it. I'm glad you could. TY. I'll let you know how it goes with trying to replace it.

Cory
 
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Old 10-28-09, 07:14 PM
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There were no diagrams/pictures; just the text I quoted. Not a lot of help.
 
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Old 10-29-09, 08:50 AM
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if this is a 2 valve engine,(most are)-it will be on the driver side of the engine (where the distrubitor-used to be)
sorta hard to get at.usualy end up loosening/removing the upper intake.
'if' it was/is suqeaking,or the sensor magnet is damaged-replace the drive housing & gear assy also.
a word of caution-the drive gear has to be 'timed' just like the old dist had to be.
'ford' uses a little tool to properly locate it.
 
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Old 10-29-09, 04:25 PM
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cps make sure it was a ford eom one. lots of crap out there.

also if you hear chirping then i would replace the assembly beneath to.

now look for the throttle cable and then follow to a black shield
and remove that. the cps near that, removing the shield is not
really needed but makes it easier.

looking at engine everything is on the right side with ignition
wires running over it.

let me know i can email you the instructions.

btw i have a 02 taurus and she just hit 159g miles.
 
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Old 10-29-09, 07:30 PM
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Ok so replaced the sensor today. Still has the CK engine light on, took it back to AutoZone and the reader still read it as being a bad Cam Sensor. Car still runs rough. Also said "Cylinder 1 Misfire". So now we're either looking at the spark plugs, wires, coil pack, or ack...fuel injector. It has new plugs and wires though...BTW he's been running E-85 in it for close to two months now. What should my next step be?
 
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Old 10-29-09, 08:00 PM
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they are 'known' for coil pack failures.
'do your self a favor', buy one from the local 'ford' dealer.
 
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Old 10-29-09, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by crazycory22
Ok so replaced the sensor today. Still has the CK engine light on, took it back to AutoZone and the reader still read it as being a bad Cam Sensor. Car still runs rough. Also said "Cylinder 1 Misfire". So now we're either looking at the spark plugs, wires, coil pack, or ack...fuel injector. It has new plugs and wires though...BTW he's been running E-85 in it for close to two months now. What should my next step be?
did you look at what 'i' posted,as far as sensor / drive gear failure.??
 
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Old 10-29-09, 08:20 PM
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Yes, yes it turns, does not squeak. I'm at a loss
 
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Old 10-30-09, 08:03 AM
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the sensor itself,(the round black part),was the magnet damaged? the blade of the drive gear,was it bent?-even slightly?
also,as stated-these vehicles are known for coil pack failure.
 
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Old 10-30-09, 11:04 AM
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No magnet was not damaged, the blade looked like it was straight. Is there a way to test the coil pack on this car? I asked Autozone and they said they couldn't do it, then I asked Orielly Auto and they said they couldn't do it either. Would I need a DVOM to do this, if it is possible? By the way, the check engine light now is also flashing occasionally, so that I know is a somewhat serious problem when it starts flashing.
 
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Old 10-30-09, 11:34 AM
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if! it stumbles / bucks on mild to hard acceleration, it would bet on a coil pack.
our tune up guys will just plug a 'known good' coil in & drive it just to verify it. but you dont have that extra coil laying around.
i have never seen them try to 'test' one with a meter.
get a.z. to pull the codes ,write them down-post them
 
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Old 10-30-09, 11:43 AM
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It definitely stumbles/bucks on mild to hard acceleration. I noticed this yesterday. On easy acceleration it does not. And I do mean easy, just barely touching the pedal. I'll get him to take his car to A.Z. tonight after he gets off work if they are still open, and have him report back the codes to me. If not tonight then I will try and have them posted tomorrow.
 
 

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