1995 Windstar CEL P0340/miss detected

[megaforce]

Looking for some help. I felt an occasional miss or roughness which would come and go in my 3.8. I changed the plugs. Thought it helped, but it happened again and turned on the CEL.The engine then started running smoothly again. Had OBD read at the Zone and it indicated 0340 (camshaft sensor) and misfire detected(non-specific). Also had been having some surging at start up sometimes. Any ideas or experience with a problem with these symtoms? I was wondering if camshaft sensor could cause it to do this.

[l-m tech]

Originally Posted by megaforce

Looking for some help. I felt an occasional miss or roughness which would come and go in my 3.8. I changed the plugs. Thought it helped, but it happened again and turned on the CEL.The engine then started running smoothly again. Had OBD read at the Zone and it indicated 0340 (camshaft sensor) and misfire detected(non-specific). Also had been having some surging at start up sometimes. Any ideas or experience with a problem with these symtoms? I was wondering if camshaft sensor could cause it to do this.

the camshaft position sensor and the part it is bolted on to(syncronizer)going bad is a common problem. this could cause the miss.the syncro gets worn and makes contact with the sensor and brakes the pick up.

[CoachKarl]

Welcome to MY world megaforce.

That cam position detector is the last remnant of a distributor. No arcing occurs in it, and isn't likely to quit on you, my guess is your coil pack. I diagnosed my problem by pulling all the wires and holding each one on the block while my wife cranked the car. (Stop the fuel, by pushing the cutoff switch back in the Jack compartment).

Karl.

How may miles on your buggy?

[wiswind]

There are a couple of posts on here about the electrical connector breaking....deteriorating.....
Solution for that would be a new CPS. Which is easy to replace. The Sycro gears are not so easy....as they MUST be correctly aligned.
You can easily replace the sensor....2 small bolts on top.....and 1 electrical connector.

[megaforce]

Thanks for the info. My initial thought was plug,wire, or coil pack, but code reading pointed to camshaft sensor. Since the trouble is intermittant right now wasn't sure if the sensor (P0340) would act like that, and didn't want to replace it without gathering some thoughts about it . The van has 239,000 miles.