Chrysler Repair: 99 LHS: Wont Start, cam sensor, flex plate


Question
QUESTION: I was having a lot of trouble before just getting the car to turn over, I had 6 different codes & one of them was dealing with the cam sensor so I started with that. Now I hear a type of grinding noise that I don't believe to be the starter. Can u tell me what this can be? The only code that comes now is the p1684 code telling me that that the battery was disconnected.

ANSWER: Hi Marvin,
If the grinding sound occurs when you are using the starter motor it either has to be the motor, the gear that connects the motor to the flexplate at the rear of the engine and rotates the engine is response, or something involved with the engine proper. I doubt it would be the engine proper but rather the starter motor or the 'bendix' gear that connects the starter motor to the flex plate drive teeth. If the engine seems to be turning over I would not focus on any grinding sounds as a cause of not starting.
If you replaced the cam sensor did you leave the paper spacer in place on its tip (which you should) and then when you installed it in the hole did you press the tip of the sensor against the hidden surface of the cam sprocket and hold there while secured the screw that holds it in place? If not, then check to make sure you still have the spacer and reinstall it as I described. If the spacer is worn off then you will need to buy a new paper spacer before you reinstall it. That spacer makes sure the tip is very close to the sprocket surface but not actually rubbing against it.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer.

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QUESTION: I believe the paper spacer was still there because I surely didn't remove it. But when I installed it I just simply put it in & tightened the screw. Would that really have messed things up that bad? Because before when the car didn't turn over it definitely didn't make any noise to that extreme.

ANSWER: I can't be certain what exact position the sensor is not in. If the noise started immediately after you installed then perhaps it is mis-positioned and getting hit by the cam sprocket. I would suggest that you take it out and look it over for damage, and if it seems ok then reinstall it as I described. If it seems to be damaged then I would get another one.
Roland

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QUESTION: Do you think it is possible that my timing went off?

Answer
No, but you can check by removing one of the covers at the cam sprocket and see if the marks line up when you turn it by hand to TDC on cyl 1. The other possibility is that your timing belt has broken so look for that possibility as well when you remove the timing cover. If you write back tell me which size (L) engine is in the vehicle.