2004 TB cam phazer solonoid

there is oil in the electrical connector of the CPAS or camshaft position actuator solonoid, i am going to replace it eitherway, however i have a question.

Will this replacment solve im intermittent check engine light flickering ( loss of signal to the EMC because of the full synthetic on the prongs in the weatherpack connector ) and possibly the ONLY at idle severe vibration that occurs to the point my son who is 5 said "daddy stop driving" and i had not even moved yet ?.

my thoughts:

*CPAS leaking not allowing full pressure to be aplied to the cam phaser actuator causing a higher cam timing position?.

*CPAS leaking insulating the pins with oil causing a loss of signal to the phaser resulting in loss of power and poor gas milage?.

Thanks in advance for all your answers ill try anything once and if it works ill do it twice:P

I'd scan the PCM for error codes first. A Packard Electric Division WeatherPack connector should be fully functional even submerged in oil. There may be connection problems, but there may be other, unrelated problems. There may be some reason the PCM is not advancing the exhaust cam.

Yes, loss of oil pressure to the cam phaser will change the exhaust valve event timing only, and allow a little more exhuast gas to remain for the next cycle. This is similar to adding EGR at idle, and tends to increase the MAP and could result in a more noticable idle lope.

I'd scan the PCM for error codes first. A Packard Electric Division WeatherPack connector should be fully functional even submerged in oil. There may be connection problems, but there may be other, unrelated problems. There may be some reason the PCM is not advancing the exhaust cam.

Yes, loss of oil pressure to the cam phaser will change the exhaust valve event timing only, and allow a little more exhuast gas to remain for the next cycle. This is similar to adding EGR at idle, and tends to increase the MAP and could result in a more noticable idle lope.
The PCM has no hard codes , i will need to get ahold of a friends snap scanner and drive it with movie mode on and see what it produces when the flicker occurs.

to clarify about the weatherpack connector, the connector is dry outside but the oil is entering the sealed area of this connector via the male prongs in the solonoid causing the female pins to have oil on them as well as the solonoid male pins.
thats why i thought that it would interfere with the signal since its low voltage PWM signal from the PCM < just a thought im no expert :)
as far as the actuator ,, it acts like an EGR valve is being tested I.e. pulling up on the vac bellows and stalling the truck , only differance is this TB has NEVER stalled ever. but act very slugish with no codes set.

thanks for the reply bowtie

Are the CPAS's pricey buggers? :uhoh: I would thing that any oil leakage to the outside of the solenoid body is abnormal.

Joel

Are the CPAS's pricey buggers? :uhoh: I would thing that any oil leakage to the outside of the solenoid body is abnormal.

Joel
as stated i am going to change it regardless since i belive you to be correct. any oil is abnormal.

They are $80.70 USD. at dealer only, and this is a small price to pay for it since it will hopefully fix the idle vibration.

takes about 10 mins to change.
thanks for the reply joel

one bolt and it just twists out , replace oring(supplied with the new sol. body) and push it back in. Viola

Joshua

I guess ~$80 isn't too horrible given the grand sceme of things.:frown: That is interesting though. I wonder if the ECM throws air/fuel mngmt into rich mode to reduce NOx output if the cam phaser system goes caput.:confused: Only other thing I've heard of in regards to this system is debris plugging the inlet screen on the phaser solenoid. Bad thing was the debris was metal shavings from the crank thrust bearing chewing itself up! IIRC there is a TSB floating around in regards to that.

Joel

I guess ~$80 isn't too horrible given the grand sceme of things.:frown: That is interesting though. I wonder if the ECM throws air/fuel mngmt into rich mode to reduce NOx output if the cam phaser system goes caput.:confused: Only other thing I've heard of in regards to this system is debris plugging the inlet screen on the phaser solenoid. Bad thing was the debris was metal shavings from the crank thrust bearing chewing itself up! IIRC there is a TSB floating around in regards to that.

Joel

what is IIRC ? i have seen that before and it looks familure but cant place it.

i will replace this part on saterday this weekend and report back the result, hope it fixes the idle, if not i fear there is a major balance issue internal.

update comming.
Joshua

IIRC= if I remember correctly. Sorry! I suffer quite a bit from that. Here is the TSB I was referring to. I borrowed it from 04TBEXT, a fine gent over at trailvoy.com:
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Subject: SES Light with a P1345 or P0016 and a Possible Rough Idle - kw 4.2 camshaft condition control DTC idle intermittent light LL* MIL performance poor repair rough solenoid #PI00156C - (01/26/2005)



Models: .




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The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in the PI.

Condition/Concern:
Some 2002 - 2004 models that are equipped with the 4.2L (VIN S - RPO LL8) engine may experience a SES Light due to a P0016 or P1345 DTC and a possible rough idle.

Recommendation/Instructions:
If the SI diagnostics do not isolate a cause, the following information may help:

• Control of the Cam Phaser Actuator solenoid is inhibited when a P0016 (04 Model Year) or P1345 (02 - 03 Model Year) DTC is stored.


• If this DTC started after recent internal engine repairs, inspect for proper engine mechanical timing. With the camshaft cover removed and the #1 cylinder at top dead center, make sure that the darkened chain links are lined up with the alignment marks on the exhaust and intake cam sprockets. At this point, J44221 should fit over the rear cam flats and the word Delphi (on the front of the Cam Phaser Actuator sprocket) should be parallel with the front edge of the cylinder head. Note: It may take up to 14 crankshaft revolutions before all timing alignment marks line up with each other.


• Engines built after 2/5/01 include a thin friction washer (P/N 12573950) between the dampener and the crank gear and the torque specification was increased to 110 ft-lbs plus 180 degrees to prevent crankshaft gear and alignment pin damage. If there is any history of the crank dampener bolt ever being loose, the crankshaft gear and alignment pin may be damaged, which can cause these DTCs.


• If a P0016 or P1345 is resetting without any engine performance concerns but the SI diagnostics and the above information did not isolate a cause for the DTC, replace the Cam Phaser Actuator sprocket.


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Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Models:
(04 Buick Rainier S1 T1 with the 4.2L engine) and (02 03 04 Chevrolet TrailBlazer S1 T1 with the 4.2L engine) and (02 03 04 GMC Envoy S1 T1 with the 4.2L engine) and (02 03 04 Oldsmobile Bravada S1 T1 with the 4.2L engine)

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GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
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© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


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G/luck
Joel

Just finished the replacement of the sol. after clearing the codes set after i changed this it runs perfect. smooth an a trailblazers bum.

also i must comment, this truck has never head that much pull. not really sure where the extra power is comming from, but its certaily there. hope this repair also gains about 2 MPG. i will average it for the trip to utah in Dec.

Josh

Just finished the replacement of the sol....

Cool. Good to hear it worked out!

Joel