Rep Power: 210

I made the DIY before I noticed the stickied one on the boards here, but I did mine a little differently, so I decided to post it anyway:

So the other day, my car threw a CEL - Cam Position Sensor, and my car pretty much turned into a limp turd, so I picked up a new sensor, and took pics of the install:

Here's the new sensor:


Tools needed:
- 10mm socket
- Ratchet with various extensions (3/8" drive is good)
- Slotted head screwdriver

Process:

- First, disconnect the negative terminal on the car's battery.
- Next, remove the ignition wire cover by turning the two screws circled in red one-quarter turn counter-clockwise.


- Then, remove the 4 10mm bolts/nuts, circled in red, and un-plug the 4 coil connectors, circled in yellow. Optionally, if you are planning on removing the valve cover entirely (I didn't, it isn't really necessary), remove the 4 nuts circled in white, and remove the coils entirely.


- Next, unscrew the valve cover bolts, circled in red. They don't have to be removed entirely, just unscrewed to the point where they can be wiggled up and down freely. The yellow circles indicate two bolts that are hidden under the wiring harness and a/c lines which have to be removed as well.


- Then, remove the grommet and un-clip the harness (circled in red) from the TDC sensor.


- Next, remove the three bolts from the timing belt cover, circled in red. Lift up in the end of the valve cover and slide the timing belt cover out from under the lip on the valve cover. Remove the upper timing belt cover (note, this can take some wiggling and a bit of force, but the cover is plastic, and is flexible)


- Next, remove the bolt, circled in red, and remove the old TDC sensor. Yell at it a bit for being a problem, then dispose of it properly. Install the new sensor, making sure the holes are lined up properly.


And there you have it, your car has some ***** again! Well, as much as a stock d17 can have...

Congratulations, you are now a certified mechanic!

 
Rep Power: 193

Pics arent showin up for me. Great diy though!!

 
Rep Power: 511

I'd recommend a bit of threadlock on the TDC bolt threads. After doing a head gasket change, mine vibrated itself loose after about 1000-2000 miles. It got lodged between the timing belt and pulley.. Shredded it pretty good, ended up bending all 16 valves. Just a friendly warning

 
Rep Power: 210

Pics will be fixed shortly, the site they are hosted on went down for some unknown reason.

And thanks for the added tip about the thread locker...definitely not something you want coming loose.

 
Rep Power: 0

Any word on the pics for this DIY?

 
Rep Power: 517

Pics probably don't exist anymore.

01-05 1.7L:
Basically, do whatever it takes to lift up the valve cover then remove the upper timing belt cover (see the timing belt DIY thread), then you can access the cam position sensor to replace it


these 2 pics are all I have in my stash of pics:



2nd pic has a screwdriver shaft pointing to the CMP sensor, and the bolt was already removed from the sensor before I thought to take the pics.