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[jay99]

Hello

Its been some time since I last posted as the car has been running spot on but the other day while driving the car cut out and stopped and wouldn't start again. I cranked so much that the battery ran flat. The recovery man was useless and said crankshaft sensor and left me there waiting hours for a relay.

Anyway my dad had it towed to a garage who said it was the cam sensor (which I had replaced) and changed it but it still wouldn't start.
After it being towed home I did a paperclip test and 0340 came up. Cam sensor. But the last time I had this problem it always started first time.

After replacing the cam sensor last time the orange light went off and I always use the car from cold so I never noticed it. But even after its been changed now by the garage.

So the cam sensor problem doesn't explain why it won't start. Does this mean it is he crankshaft one? Fuel is getting through and it cranks fine, there is just no spark. My dad now wants to scrap it but there's nothing wrong with it when it works and we've spent a lot on the car. I can happily sit in third lane doing 85 with the big boys and its not bad for a 14 year old car. Such a shame

Thank you

[blackviper90210]

I'd say that sounds like a crank sensor. Not a difficult job either, just make sure you route the wiring away from the exhaust system as per the guide

[Marks DTM Calib]

The golden rule on the 2.0 Ecotec is to replace the crank AND cam sensor when you get cam sensor codes.

[Steve B]

The golden rule on the 2.0 Ecotec is to replace the crank AND cam sensor when you get cam sensor codes.

And is that just the 2.0  IE: not the 2.2 

Also: WHY ?

[jay99]

So is it definitely the crank sensor? Its not giving me a code for it and it shouldn't not start if it was just the cam sensor right?

Thanks for the help!

[05omegav6]

Mark are they connected in series then

[Steve B]

Why replace two components when only one is faulty 

[ngrainqey]

because with 2.0's they throw up codes for either the crank or cam sensor (incorrectly)
its easier just to change them both so then you know they're both ok. its just a quirk with the 2.0's

[jay99]

So today I went to start the car and it started but after a minute it cut out and I have the same problem again 

Anyway I'm going to buy another crank and cam sensor and have them fitted today together and hopefully the problem should go away.

By the way I noticed the garage which changed the cam sensor only changed the connectors and left a black wire bare. Is this important?

Anyway I'm worried now as I'm now going to spend another £100 odd quid and the MOT runs out next month and with the suspension rattles, airbag light and all the other problems I think the exercise may be futile.

I'll let you know how it goes
Thank you
Jay

[terry paget]

I'd say that sounds like a crank sensor. Not a difficult job either, just make sure you route the wiring away from the exhaust system as per the guide

Easy on a V6, trickier on an in-line four. I reckon it involves removing nearside engine mounting, though PhilRich says not.

[TheBoy]

If it has A/C, 2.0l crank sensor is a pig.

As its not starting, I'd be suspicious of both crank and cam sensors giving no/unusable signals.

[jay99]

Hello again 

Well I've just been to the garage again and they've said that to change the crank sensor they'll need to remove the air conditioning and the engine mount to get to it and its going to be a big job which will cost about £80 with no guarantee that its going to work. Is there an easier way to do this without doing all this?

They've told me that the cam sensor code is being thrown up and not the crank and I don't even know if its that and basically we've run out of money.

What do I do? I know the cam sensors gone but why won't the ecu say its the crank if it won't start and cuts out. Are the symptoms definately crank or could it be the can which would be much easier.

Thanks
Jay

[cd 2.2]

You can definitely change the crank sensor yourself ... It's awkward, but definitely possible with the right tools!
Maybe you could use one from a zafira 2.0 or a vectra 2.0 not sure you would have to check the part numbers ... If you could that would be a nice cheap part from a breakers and may get you going again??

The biggest problem is simply failed crank sensor = replacement is the only option 

Just a thought

[jay99]

Good news!

Crank sensor replaced and everything is working great!

Just need to the cam sensor again now as I've been putting it off and its my fault for not doing it genuine in the first place.

 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Told you 

The cam sensor signal uses the crank sensor as its reference, when the cranks sensor starts to fail so does the cams reference and hence you often see false codes relating to cam sensor