Howdy:

Hope all is well. Thanks for taking the time.

My check engine light came on, for the very first time, at highway cruising speed toward the end of 2019. Came on and off a few times. Over the coming weeks it was increasingly frequent, usually turning on when I’m cruising or especially when accelerating and then off a few seconds or so after I let off the throttle, or turning off by itself...on for 10 – 20 seconds a few times during my commute. I have not noticed any change in the way the car is running. I’m approaching 110K miles.

Over a few months, the CEL began lighting up more frequently. It would light up especially after I had been driving in stop-and-go traffic or driving the car a bit hard. Eventually, it was lighting almost as soon as I started my commute. Then a friend sat in the car with the car at idle (no additional throttle) while I jiggled wires and tapped on the cam sensor etc. but we couldn’t get the light to come on. No change. A few days later I disconnected the battery and sprayed a bunch of contact cleaner on the sensor and nearby harness, while they were still installed. Then the car sat for about three weeks. When I started driving it again there was no light for a couple of weeks.

Side notes: There could be power steering fluid spoiling the sensor, but I don’t think the damp pressure hose is too wet or dripping. Also, I had replaced the ICM a while back and one of the many connections from the engine harness wasn’t biting like I wanted -- but tugging/wiggling those wires doesn’t cause the light @ idle.

My plan is to remove it, clean it, and reinstall. I’m hoping a good cleaning permanently solves the problem as I may not be capable of servicing the magnet through the sensor port. I’ve read most of what is available on this forum and on other forums about the magnet repair. If a good cleaning and harness inspection doesn’t fix it, my next step will be to replace the sensor.

I’m wondering if the ECM only calls for or checks the CAM sensor signal at certain times, and that is why the CEL seems intermittent. Your thoughts and comments are most welcome. Thank you much.

BB

It might help to look at live data. Your ignition will not fail if you lose the cam signal while it'* running but you must have the cam signal to start the car.
Here'* the diagram.

Swapped out the sensor. Cleared the codes. No change. Except the light is nearly constant now, which makes me think the cause of my problem may be a wire. Seems like it could be the magnet which appears to be cracking and missing a piece or two (see below).

While searching to see if I could access the magnet by dropping the oil pan (no), I located the Code 41 diagnostic tree and circuit diagram in my garage manual. I will attempt to post the pages for posterity.

Next step is to start testing some wiring. Getting a bit ahead of myself here but I'm wondering if it anyone has replaced the cam magnet through the sensor hole (using the jb weld method) with out hoisting the motor...seems like doing it in-place would be a pain, especially considering the need to clean out the old magnet. I'm also wondering if it is possible to remove the timing chain cover without hoisting the motor, but I may be able to figure that out with the manual.

Car started three times in a row with the sensor disconnected.

BB

Success! After hours of attempting to install the magnet using j/b weld and a one quarter inch socket extension, I switched to J/B weld PUTTY and an installation tool fabricobbled out of a coffee brush handle and a drill bit. After scraping out the brush bristles, I drilled a hole through it to insert a drill bit. The hole for the bristles was the perfect size and the wooden handle did not magnetize. When the drill bit is in the handle it holds the magnet securely so it doesn’t jump onto the cam/timing gear. Hold the magnet in the hole with the brush handle and manually back out the drill bit to release the tool from magnet after placement – magic.

Wow, thanks for showing us what you did!

Great work. I have made a lot of tools over the years working on things; my Dad taught me well and I would often watch him fabricate something to allow him to make repairs.