neon issues... I NEED HELP please

[deemanota]

ok... we have a '01 neon... we have had several "factory" defects that have been corrected by the dealership.

We just started having issues... like... occasionally, when stopped it will stop

recently this has become a HUGE problem, stopping constantly and the "check engine light" coming on.

we took it to get some diagnostics ran... and all that came up was "cam shaft sensor defect"...

can anybody help me with this? and tell me WHERE i can find the cam shaft sensor in the engine?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Dee

[soul_sword34]

try this. Put the key in the ignition and turn it to auxilary, don't start the engine just auxilary, turn it off and repeat 3 times. In the area where you mileage is posted you'll see a series of numbers flash across the screen. Write those down those are your CEL, check engine codes, post back here with the numbers. I'll help you out.

[soul_sword34]

Don't worry about the first code it is normal to have that one. The second is not. P0340 No camshaft postion sensor signal at powertrain control module. Try the cheap fix first then we'll go from there. 1) Disconnect your negative cable from the battery for about 15 minutes, this will flash your computer and reset it. Drive the car around and see if this has fixed the problem. If not then on to the next step which is to replace your old sensor. Go to the dealership and purchase a new Camshaft Position Sensor or CMP. 2) Disconnect the negative battery cable again. 3) The CMP sensor is located on the left end of the cylinder head. Right next to the battery and stock airbox location. You should see a wiring going into a sensor on the side of the head, you'll know it is the one if you see that the assembly is held on to the motor by four bolts. 4) Disconnect the CMP sensor wiring by releasing the locking tab, just push the tab towards the firewall 5) Once that is disconnected get a socket or wrench and remove the four bolts holding the sensor to the head, remove the sensor. 6) Remove the torx Bolt that attaches the target magnet to the camshaft, then remove the target magnet (ask dealer if this needs replaced with the sensor I'm not sure). Okay now the installation part 7) When installing ( if it is necessary to even remove this part but you might as well as long as you have the sensor off) the target magnet make sure that the locating dowels on the back of the magnet are aligned with the machined locating holes in the end of the camshaft. Tighten the magnet retaining screw to 30 in lbs. Need a torque wrench. 8) Now the sensor is just the reverse as the removal part, make sure the new sensor has a o-ring already installed. Tighten the four attaching bolts to 80 in lbs. 9) Reconnect the wiring to the NEW sensor. 10) Re-connect the negative cable to your battery and drive. I hope this helps you. If you don't have the mechanical skills to do this take it to the dealer it should only be an hour of labor. If you need pictures of the operation to do it yourself then go to a local book store and get the new Haynes Dodge Neon Repair Manual, if they don't have it in stock I'm sure they can order it, the book ordering number is 30036 for the 2000-2003 edition. You save money by doing it yourself and with this operation you can't screw anything up because you aren't doing anything mechanical just replacing an electrical sensor. If you have the tools go for it.