I just recently bought a 2001 SD with a 7.3 PSD. People keep telling me that the cam sensors on these trucks go out frequently leaving you with no option but to have the truck towed. How many of you have experienced this problem? Is it worth carrying a spare sensor in the truck? Is there an aftermarket sensor available that is better than the stocker? Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well to answer you question sort of. I had a 95 7.3...if the sensor can not find the number one cylinder it gets confused and will not fire the injection. Now...my truck shut down, but did restart. Knowing the problem is the sensor I replaced the cam sensor before it continued. They make several different lengths, so make sure with a vin you get the correct one and stow it in your glove compartment if you are concerned.

I know some will give a warning and some will just retire. It is simple to replace for peace of mind.

 

Is it true that if at start up your tach doesn't move while cranking the sensor is going bad? 02 psd.

 

That is what they say but I haven't had that experience yet so I don't know first hand.

refuse2

 

I've had the problem with the 00 Excursion. I bought the truck for my wife this time last year with 104K miles. At 114K the truck started to stall when coming to a stop the next day it wouldn't start. Called AAA had it towed for free, fired right up to pull into the garage to swap the sensor. Bought the CPS at IH and paid $94 with tax. All was well until recently at 124K miles the same problem occurred. Another call to AAA another free tow. Again it fired right up and was pulled into the garage. I called IH and was told if I could find he receipt it would be covered by there 1 year warranty. Found the receipt and got another CPS this time costing me nothing. Installed the CPS good to go so far with 2K miles on it.

I bough the 99 F250 with 40K and have never put a CPS in it with 173K on the truck.

Having a spare in the glove box is not the worst idea however if you use it a year later your warranty is gone. Also have a 10 mm socket with a 4-6inch extension and your good to go. Very easy fix.

 

I plan on getting a spare to carry. Waiting 2 hrs for a tow truck and 4 days (it was late friday and they didnt touch it till tuesday) for the dealer to replace it under warranty sucks. I still had to pay the $100 dollar deductible which as I see basically covers the cost of the sensor anyways. A spare in the glove that day would have saved me a lot of trouble and probably took less than 30 inutes to replace.

 

It seems that bad cam sensors are a fairly common problem on the 7.3. Is there fix for the problem besides buying a spare and hoping that it doesn't happen at a bad time? Seems like Ford or IHC should find a cure for the problem and recall the bad sensors.

 

They are just like points in a gas engine...they wear out. Drive it and quit worrying, it will usually give you a sign it is going out. If not stick one in your glove box, no big deal to change it on the road.

 

What century is this?? I haven't had to worry about points since I was a kid tinkering with 1960's motorcycles. It just seems to me that after I spend the money to get a modern truck that I shouldn't have to carry around a spare set of $100 "points"! Besides what is wearing on a cam sensor? I don't believe that anything actually touches it to wear it out. This is a 2001 truck not a 1974, modern technology ought to apply somewhat. Comparing a cam sensor to points seems a little far fetched to me.

 

The modern age of plastic. Temp changes effect the outer housing vs the inner windings differently. Some times the case will even crack. This either brakes the winding or lets in moisture. Works more like the old mag pickup in the dist than points.

 

Are you still using your Radio Shack Model 1 computer.... Your cam sensor is electrical and it will quit working. I did not intend to imply that the cam sensor is points, just that it does wear out like anything else does.

 

The CMP sensor is basically a Hall effect sensor - used by just about all the modern cars and trucks being manufactured today for timing, crank angle, cam angle, wheel speed for ABS......

 

I guess my original intention for this question was to find out how frequently these things go out. I can fully understand that electrical components can and do fail. I have 4 co-workers who own 7.3 PSD's and 2 of them have lost their cam sensors while driving. That is an extremely small sampling considering the amount of 7.3's on the road, but it is 50%. That seems a little higher than I would expect. I figured this forum would be a good place to get a better feel for how often they fail. I am truly not losing any sleep over this and I have no intention of getting rid of my 7.3 (although I guess I should get rid of my Radio Shack Model 1). I am just the type of person who does not like surprises, especially when I'm towing a trailer down a steep & twisty mountain grade.

 

i only put one in my 94.5 and it now has 580k miles on it. gonna finally yank the motor in a couple weeks, dosnt like cold....

my 97 bought with 40k now 159k havent put one in

2000 bout with 67k now 75k havent put one in

have spares for that just in case though

 

DHH....I know what your saying and it can go with no warning. Mine did at 140,000 miles so now you know it is common, but nothing to worry about. You could own a Dodge that chucks the counter shaft through the side of the tranny on steep grades. I will take the cam sensor over that.