This car had the symptoms of an intermittent check engine light illumination. I was also hard to start in the morning. Fuel economy was decreased and it had a rough idle. I hooked it up to a CAN (computer area network- 0r network of computers) compatible scanner and got code P0342. This indicates low imput from the camshaft position sensor. I did a little checking to verify this and went to work replacing the faulty sensor. I found that AutoZone had it available to order three days out, no one else had it either and they wanted almost $90 for it. The local dealer had it in stock for about $45. The new sensor is slightly different than the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). This is likely to be that the new one is updated and therefore less likely to fail. The car only had 45,000 miles on it and Suzuki wouldn't cover it under the valid power train warranty.
Here's how to replace the cam sensor. To replace the sensor you remove the top engine cover by two allen screws on top. Next remove the air filter box. After that raise or otherwise support the engine slightly to take the weight off the passenger side engine mount. Now remove the fasteners from the top of the mount. The mount may be siezed and require an orange rubber mallet. = P Now you can access the M6 10mm head bolt that secures the timing cover in place. Take it and the plate out. Now you have access to the sensor. Note the whole timing cover doesn't need to be removed. Inside you'll see the bottom brassy metal half of the sensor. There's a special "E" socket required to remove the bolt on the sensor. I say "E" because that's what the sockets say like "E8" it's basically a female torx bit. Torx are like "T55" etc. You can buy a set at your local auto parts house. They look like a star as apposed to a hexagon. BE CAREFUL! While you remove the bolt have a magnet wand right there to catch it. If you don't you could drop it into the timing cover to eat your timing belt. No big deal, just hours of extra labor you don't have to do. (Suzuki engineers actually designed similar traps featured in the Indiana Jones movies = ) Just kidding) OK now you can pull out the sensor from the top and unplug it! You now just need to wiggle the new one in and Indiana Jones that Freaky Deaky "E" bolt back into it. Good luck!
12 comments:
This How-To just saved me a whole bunch of time. Service Manual was quoting 1.4h to replace this sensor on my Chevrolet Optra (Forenza's canadian twin) by removing the complete timing belt cover.
The best part, having read that, I was able to get the right socket BEFORE tearing down everything.
To avoid dropping the bolt in the wrong place, I used an old shirt to cover most of the places it could go.
Thanks!
Just completed this job on my 2004 Chev Optra.. was e.z thanx to this post..
I just used a 1/4 inch socket to remove the special torx style "head" nut, was able to remove and install it no problem.
I used Dialectric grease on the plug to make sure no water or corrosion would happen.. Check engine light is off now.. thank god... or should I say thank Blogger!! :)
what did you use to keep the engine level? I don't see a support bracket or engine traverse bar. I have the same problem and am wondering what I should use to hold the engine in place.
i placed a floor jack under the oil pan to keep the engine level be sure to put a flat piece of wood between the jack and oil pan to prevent damage.
this worked great instead of a magnet i stuffed the hole with a rag and then rapped a small piece of electrical tape to hold the bolt to the socket while i reinstalled it
Awesome. I could kiss you right now!
Your last picture is exactly what ours looks like, we have a 2004 as well. However, the engine mount is in the way of the screw so there's no way to get any sort of tool in there to remove it. Unfortunately I have to take it to a shop now and am not as lucky or happy as the other commenters.
Any chance this will also work out for a 2005? I have a rough idle and need to fix this badly.
AWESOME!!! I know this thread is old, but thank you so much!!!
I used some industrial carpet adhesive (like a strip of rubber cement) inside a 1/4" socket to grip the screw. Worked like a charm. You have saved me loads of money and frustration. The toughest part was adjusting the jack to unbind the motor mount. Awesome instructions
A thousand times Thanks!
How important is it to get that gold screw at the bottom back in? Not the bolt
please
i need service manual for those suzuki forenza, how can get some information abput the engine
thanks for your help
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