1999 Mazda B4000 Camshaft Sensor Fault

FORD
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TRALENUT
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99 Mazda B4000 p/u 4.0L 109kmi: DTC's indicate a cam shaft pos. sens. malfunction. Due to difficult accessability and lack of necessary tools it may be a week before I can change it. What is the harm of driving the truck in the mean time?
Thanks in advance.
Feb 4, 2007 at 8:39 AM
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MATHIASO
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A direct-fire ignition use a synch notch on the trigger wheel to help the computer identify which cylinder is ready to fire. However, some systems use an additional sensor called a camshaft position sensor instead of a synch notch to perform this function. In this type of system, the camshaft sensor sends a signal to the computer to indicate that a particular cylinder is ready to be fired..
In most systems the camshaft position sensor is needed only when an engine is started. Once the camshaft position sensor has indicated the positions of the different cylinder to the computer, the sensor won't be needed again until the engine is shut off and restarted. However, in some systems, the camshaft position sensor may be used to directly control the operation of the ignition system or the fuel-injection system. In these engines, the camshaft position sensor provides information to the computer the entire time the engine is operating. Once the computer receives the information from its sensor, it can then decide when to fire the spark plug for each cylinder.
I hopefully wish some Mazda specialist step inn to tell you what kind of camshaft position sensor you do have in your99 Mazda B4000 p/u 4.0L.
:)
Feb 4, 2007 at 1:10 PM
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2CARPRO JACK
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Id take care of it soon. Those are the same ones Ford uses and the bushings in the housing go bad (sounds like a belt squeek) , even seen them break the housing. When you have it done be sure to have them remove the entire housing and check for any roughness of the bushing
Feb 4, 2007 at 10:48 PM

Suggested Repair

Replace the camshaft position sensor soon. When it is replaced, remove the entire sensor housing and check the bushing for roughness, since worn bushings can squeak or break the housing.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1999 Mazda B4000 4.0L with camshaft position sensor trouble codes asked whether it was safe to drive for about a week before replacing the sensor. One reply explained that some systems use the sensor mainly for startup synchronization, while others use it continuously for ignition or fuel control, and asked for Mazda-specific confirmation. Another expert advised repairing it soon, noting that the Ford-style sensor housing bushings can wear, squeak, or break, and recommended removing the housing to check the bushing.

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