Is the failure of a cam sensor in a car a serious thing?

Question

I have a 97 Ford Taurus and it was diagnosed as needing a new cam sensor and synchronizer. However, the car has $180k miles and I'm not sure if I want to invest the money to get it fixed. What can happen if it is not replaced? Can it lead to sudden engine failure?

Answer 1

The failure of the two parts you just mentioned are fairly common for that particular car. The synchronizer is driven by the camshaft. On the other end of the synchronizer, is the engine's oil pump. The reason they fail is due to sludge build-up inside the body of the synchronizer. The sludge build-up is usually caused by lack of regular oil changes. If the synchronizer seizes up, you will also lose oil pressure to the engine, due to the pump not being driven. If this happens, it's bye bye engine!!! The usual symptoms for the synchronizer failure are, a chirping, or squeaking sound extremely similar to, and almost always misdiagnosed as a belt and/or tensioner failure to those unfamiliar with these Tauruses. Installation requires timing the the part in the EXACT same location orientation as the original part failing which will result in driveability issues. So, in answer to your question, YES it's definitely something you should deal with ASAP.

Answer 2

Yes you need to replace it . Even though your car might be still running. The engine computer needs the cam sensor to control the exact time to fire the injectors. If the signal is lost. It will spray twice as much gas as it needs. This leads to expensive exhaust (cat) coverter damage. And it is a automatic "FAIL" on the smog test. You could save money buying the part at the ford dealer and then pay a shop to install it for about $100.. DO NOT install it your self. It is not easy to install and you also need a cam synchronizer tool to position the sensor right. Most Ford wil still run with a bad cam sensor. Its call the "Limp Mode" The Crank sensor it the one that makes the car stall

Answer 3

The cam sensor is a input sensor and works with a crank shaft sensor to tell the computer where the crank is in location to firring order, It may run without the cam sensor but if the crank sensor goes out the computer will not know whee the crank is at and will not start, The computer needs these signals to give the proper duration to fire the fuel injectors, as ell without the cam sensor it will slow the computers reaction in changing the timing and injector pulse which will cause excessive fuel consumption, in turn it could cause the e car to run rich thus damaging the O2 sensor and causing the the catalytic converter to be damaged, and if the knock sensor is not working it will damage the engine as well. the cam sensor is cheep and if you want the car to run replace it, it is not expensive to do.

Answer 4

I doute it would do that, but the reason for the seneor is it tells the cars computer what valve is open and just there the cam is at any given time. with that many miles on her what you need to ask yourself is if I dont will the car run right and the answer is no

Answer 5

Don E's right. The computer uses the cam and crank sensor inputs to tell the spark plugs when to fire. If either one goes out, the car will die and not restart, but no permanent damage will result.

Answer 6

Cam sensor failure will stop your engine from running.If it is a broken wire to the cam sensor that will set the same code.It is simple to fix.Unplug ,unscrew,pull out.Now reverse that order to reinstall.

Answer 7

i own a shop,and what will happen is it will just stop running on you and leave you stranded somewhere and it probably wont give you any warning either,,so if you want to be stranded out in the cold or bad weather then you can not have it repaired,,if you don't want to be stranded ,,id suggest it be fixed,,being stuck out in the cold or on a long stretch of highway isn't any fun at all,,good luck i hope this help.s