Camshaft Sensors (Please help)

[royse98]

I have a 98 Boxster, and the CEL came on and I checked the code and it was a P1397 (camshaft sensor)

My car has 21,000 miles. It was fine when I put it away in December, started it in February and the CEL came on. The car runs fine, no problems at all.

I cleared the code, drove it around, and it was fine, no CEL. Started the car the next day and the CEL came on with the same code again.

Any suggestions?

Edited March 20, 2007 by royse98

[Loren]

Check the connector on the sensor and clean it if it is dirty.

If it fails again after that then you will likely need to replace the sensor.

[tholyoak]

Since this has happened after storage I would check to see you have continuity in the wiring harness, perhaps someone was snacking on it during storage.

With an ohm meter you should have a closed circuit between pin 2 on the cam sensor connectors and pin 21 on the DME connector.

Also pin 1 is ground and should show a closed circuit between it pin 34 on the DME connector.

Finally pin 3 is a 5v supply from pin 53 on the DME connector and should show a closed circuit between them.

If the wiring harness checks out then I would replace the sensor.

Todd

[royse98]

You guys are the best, I will go and try that tonight.

Thanks

[royse98]

I was able to clean the front sensor, but there is noway I can get to the one in the back. I worked on it for hours and was unable to even reach it.

[tholyoak]

You can access the one on the passenger side if you remove the air/oil separator. If you are going to go to all the trouble to get at it I would probably just replace it while you are in there. Cleaning the sensor itself won't do much, it is just a magnetic hall sensor.

To properly diagnose the problem without taking things apart you will need an oscilloscope.

Todd

Edited March 21, 2007 by tholyoak

[royse98]

Ok, 1 more question: I tried to remove that ai/oil thing and I cant even get to it. Do I need to tear down a lot stuff to get in there?