cam sensor? 01 outback 3.0

[rpbsjb]

I lost the tension pulley about a week ago while driving home and continued on home without the drive belt....about 35 min. I replaced the pulley along with the bracket that got chewed up (bracket also held the alternator) and it drove fine. The next couple days, however, the "check engine" light went on and off and then I would lose power....I would then slow down, regain power and head home. I changed the air filter ( the dead bird plastered inside it probably didn't help) and re connected the battery. The light went off for a day and then came back on again with the intermittent power loss. Autozoners said the diagnostic came back "cam sensor."

Does anyone think this is just a plug issue or did that pulley really throw off the timing or is it something more serious. I'm calling the sube garage tomorrow but any insight would be appreciated.

thanks.

[CNY_Dave]

Originally posted by rpbsjb
I lost the tension pulley about a week ago while driving home and continued on home without the drive belt....about 35 min. I replaced the pulley along with the bracket that got chewed up (bracket also held the alternator) and it drove fine. The next couple days, however, the "check engine" light went on and off and then I would lose power....I would then slow down, regain power and head home. I changed the air filter ( the dead bird plastered inside it probably didn't help) and re connected the battery. The light went off for a day and then came back on again with the intermittent power loss. Autozoners said the diagnostic came back "cam sensor."

Does anyone think this is just a plug issue or did that pulley really throw off the timing or is it something more serious. I'm calling the sube garage tomorrow but any insight would be appreciated.

thanks.

Mayhap the belt whipping around whacked the sensor and damaged it, or the wires going to it.


Dave

[xnavnuc]

Originally posted by CNY_Dave


Mayhap the belt whipping around whacked the sensor and damaged it, or the wires going to it.


Dave

CNY_Dave is most likely right. The ECM doesn't just make stuff up so if it complains about a cam sensor then there's a reason. If the problem is wiring/connector related and it 'heads south' you will come to an inglorious stop.

[rpbsjb]

Thanks, this makes me feel better about sending it to the garage. It's been my experience that when sensors are concerned, it's best to just back away and let a pro play with it. I'm a parts changer, period. Those sensors can get WAY expensive when you're just guessing.

If I could find a shop manual for the car that would help too. I'm in GM country here. I've been trying to locate the exploded view for the driver side mirror. The wife and kids hit it with a full-on water spray a couple of years ago and I only have side-side electric adjustment, not up-down. I figured a cable is off.

Have I mentioned that I love this site?

[porcupine73]

You don't happen to remember the actual code number by chance? P0nnn are generic; basic code readers can tell you the descrption for those. P1nnn and P2nnn are manufacturer and model specific and only the higher end scanners that ask for vehicle information give the right descriptions for those.

[locogringo]

Originally posted by rpbsjb
Thanks, this makes me feel better about sending it to the garage. It's been my experience that when sensors are concerned, it's best to just back away and let a pro play with it. I'm a parts changer, period. Those sensors can get WAY expensive when you're just guessing.

If I could find a shop manual for the car that would help too. I'm in GM country here. I've been trying to locate the exploded view for the driver side mirror. The wife and kids hit it with a full-on water spray a couple of years ago and I only have side-side electric adjustment, not up-down. I figured a cable is off.

Have I mentioned that I love this site?

http://www.alldatadiy.com/?gclid=CNf...FQQIFQodiEZ7bw

Pretty good website for repair stuff. Have to subscribe for your car.

[xnavnuc]

Originally posted by locogringo


http://www.alldatadiy.com/?gclid=CNf...FQQIFQodiEZ7bw

Pretty good website for repair stuff. Have to subscribe for your car.

I have used the professional Alldata S/W and Mitchell's S/W they both are good (as would be expected) So any consumer version has got to be good, as well, from either. I happen to like Alldata's electrical diagrams better than Mitchell's for the feature that causes an entire electrical 'path' to be highlighted from end to end, making it less likely to 'jump' a trace and end up looking for some expected problem on the wrong lead/terminal/pin etc.