Cam Position Sensor

I have searched and read about the cam position sensor. Here’s what I have... 2006 4.0 with 106,000 miles. My oil light came on yesterday evening and then this morning, the check engine light came on. I took it to Autozone for a test and their machine said a bad cam
Position sensor. I am pretty much a shade tree mechanic but am by no means intimidated by many part swaps. My concern is are the 2 lights being on within a few hours related? Oil level is fine. I don’t run the truck that hard and only put 10,500 miles on it last year. What are your all opinions on this?

 

The oil light is not level related, it's pressure related.

If the oil is so low there's no pressure, that's a problem.

I've seen them come on from a bad sender or a dirty sender connection.

Was that light still on to and from Autozone?

And what was the specific code for the CPS ?

 

Oil level is fine. It is at the top dimple of the dip stick. He didn’t give me the actual code number so I’m unsure of it. The oil light doesn’t come in until after 3/4 of a mile or so. The check engine light has not went off.

 

CEL on steady? Notice any drivability issues?

 

sounds like low oil pressure causing a CPS code to be thrown cus VVTI is outside of specified ranges. Id make sure oil pressure is good before driving much more!

 

It’s parked for now. This is the info I’m wanting. I wondered if the oil pressure being low would cause other issues. So for now I need to check oil pressure before going any further?

 

Yes it is on steady.

 

You're on the right track. Oil level/condition/pressure is critical for valve train operation

 

I agree oil pressure problem. Do not continue driving this as if the oil pressure is low you will wipe out the engine.

 

Always ask them for the DTC(s). Their interpretation is worth 1/10th or less of the actual code. Better yet buy a cheap code reader; or one of the cheap ELM327 clones from eBay with a bluetooth interface and one of the various OBDII apps onto your phone (I like Torque or OBD Fusion)--then DIY...

 

It’s been sitting for now. I have a guava and will check the pressure this evening. Temps have been below 0 here so there may be other factors too. I need to get it inside a warm garage to really figure out what’s going on.

 

Maybe somehow the wrong oil got put in, too thick? If it's super cold it could have a hard time sucking it up the pickup tube in the oil pan..

 

I don't know what good a guava is going to do?

A pressure gauge may help.

 

LMAO! That’s great!

 

Wind chill of -2 here so it’s still too cold to work outside. Truck is still parked for now. I’ve been searching endlessly on what all this could be and have found that it could also be a faulty oil control valve (variable valve timing solenoid). These options seem way better than the oil pump. Lol! I’m getting excited knowing that once I get started, I may be on the right track before I even start. Any of you have an opinion on this being part of the problem?

 

The reason your oil pump is kinda a concern is because in your original post you said you saw the oil (red oil can) light come on. That's not a good sign for the health of the oil pump or the pickup tube. The cam code is a p0340? That is a cam gear that is mechanically not lined up with the crank gear. If the timing chain tensioner(s) lost oil pressure momentarily it could let the chain slip a tooth or two, resulting in the code.

In short you may have both a oil pressure issue and (now) a chain/timing issue.

If you simply had the cam code (by itself) and never saw the oil light then i would be more comfortable "throwing" some solenoids at it

 

So I found the oil pressure switch to not be reading correctly. Replaced it and the oil light went off for now... just running in the driveway... I also bought an Actron OBD II Pocket Scanner. Codes thatit is showing are P0022, twice, P0441 and P0455. I’m researching all of those now. I erased those codes to see if they pop back up while running the truck. Hopefully I can get to the bottom of this. Lol!

 

P0022
desc: Camshaft Position "A" - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 2)

possible causes:
- Valve timing
- Oil control valve (OCV)
- OCV filter
- Camshaft timing gear assembly
- ECM

I'd check simple stuff first; OCV filter and OCV valve, both are not unusual issues.

=======================================
P0441
desc: Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge Flow

possible causes:
- Purge VSV
- Connector/wire harness (Purge VSV - ECM)
- ECM
- Canister pump module
- Leakage from EVAP system
- Leakage from EVAP line (Purge VSV - Intake manifold)

P0455
desc: Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Gross Leak)

possible causes:
- Fuel cap (loose)
- Leakage from EVAP line (Canister - Fuel tank)
- Leakage from EVAP line (Purge VSV - Canister)
- Canister pump module
- Leakage from fuel tank
- Leakage from canister

These two are obviously related, again check easy stuff; fuel cap gasket, EVAP lines--in common in additional to leaks is the EVAP canister pump module...

 

Thanks for the info! Helps a lot

 

Do you know what grade oil is in the engine? Kind of a long shot, however if 10W-xx or heavier it could interfere with the OCV function at near 0°F temps...