I swaped out the timing belt today and while i was doing so I broke the cam position sensor. I did not know it untill I put the car back together and it would not start. I was in a rush to get it back together and may not have alligned the timing right. I guess what I need to know is, if the cam sensor is broken should the car still start? If it should start then I will know the reason it wont is becuase of the timing. Is the broken sensor causing the car not to start or should I go back and make sure the timing is right? I lined up the marks on the cam gears but I am not sure if the cams are lined up in relation to the crank. I dont know if the #1 piston was at tdc when I put it back together.

Any help is appreciated!

Jeff

 

I had a '97 Eclipse Spyder with the 2.4L engine and the balance shaft belt broke and burnt out my cam sensor and it wouldn't fire back up...I had to have it towed to the garage...So it is a possibility that the broken cam sensor could be causing the starting problem...It's always the electrical **** that gives you the biggest problems...Is the "check engine" light on?

 

It has to start to know if the check engine light is going to come on. Man this sucks. The worst part is, this is my brothers car, and he is pissed. The cam sensor is an $80 part.

Is it possible that the system just needs to be reset by mitsubishi? I had the battery disconnected for a while, while we hooked up a radio. I wish i knew more about these electrical systems.

Jeff

 

The cam sensor is a vital component to the ignition system and will cause a no start. You can quickly take the top of the timing belt cover off to check if the timing belt is lined up properly as you replace it. As far as reseting goes- the PCM does adapt and learn values such as fuel trim or idle setting, etc. It does NOT learn anything that can prevent the engine from firing up. Good Luck!

Joel, CA

 

Well I guess i need to replace the sensor. I just got it all put together and now i have to take it all apart again. what a pain in the ***.

Thanks for the info!!

Jeff

 

I was just loking on napaautoparts.com and they have two different cam sensors listed. One is an engine management cam sensor, and the other is an ignition cam sensor. They both look the same to me. Does anyone know which one I need? The one I broke is located inside the intake cam. They look the same but there is almost a $30 difference in the prices. I dont want to buy the wrong sensor and have to do this again later.

Jeff

 

Just pull the broken sensor off and take it with you to the parts store so they can see which one it is.

 

we'll I as going to buy it online but it looks like mitsubishi is going to be cheaper anyway. So I will just go up there and get it.

Thanks for all the help!

Jeff