Chrysler Repair: replacing cam shaft sensor on 2003 dodge neon, camshaft position sensor, cam shaft

Question
My service engine lifgt has came on about 4 times in the last 4 years and when i took the car in they found nothing wrong and reset engine light. My neon now has 47,000 mile and over tyhe last  3 weeks the engine light has came on and off a dozen or so time. 3 time i co8uld not start the car. I took it to advance auto and the tested it and said I needed a cam shaft sensor..  the cheapest price i found at a dealership to replace part and labor was $110. I found the part with 1 year waranty for $27 and from looking at the sensor it does not look like it is that hard to repalce. Is it worth the $110 to have dealership do it or is it a simple job that I could do and save $80? Another thing is the service writer wanted to get me for a diagnostic check for $100 because he said they could put the part on and it might not be the problem. Is this true? Where can i get step by step instuctions for replacing this part or could you give me the procedure? Thanks Bobby

Answer
Hi Bobby,
Let me type-in the procedure:
The camshaft position sensor is mounted to the rear of the cylinder head.
Disconnect the filtered air tube from the throttle body and air cleaner housing. Remove filtered air tube.
Remove the air cleaner inlet tube.
Disconnect electrical connector from  engine coolant sensor and camshaft position sensor.
Remove brake booster hose and electrical connector from holders on end of cylinder head cover.
Remove camshaft position sensor mounting screws. Remove sensor.
Remove screw holding target magnet to end of canshaft.
(I don't know if this is necessary or not. You may not get a replacement magnet with the sensor.)

The magnet has two locating dowels that fit into holes on the end of the camshaft.
Install magnet to end of camshaft. Tighten screw to 50 inch-ponds of torque.
Install camshaft position sensor. Tighten mounting screws to 80 inch-pounds of torque
Place brake booster hose and electrical harness to holders on end of valve cover.
Attach electrical connectors to coolant temperature and camshaft position sensors.
Install air cleaner inlet tube and filtered air tube.
That is it.
Thanks for the kind evaluation.
Roland



Hi Bobby,
I don't know which engine you have so I can't tell you about the replacement procedure/difficult, but in general it shouldn't be too hard to do. As to a manual you could look at one for your car that is published by Haynes, as these are a good line of manuals. If you got a cam sensor fault code I would go with it and save the $100 charge from the dealer, which is exploitative.
I have the procedure for the 2.0 SOHC engine, and the 2.4 DOHC and can tell you about those engines/send you by postal mail a xerox copy of the pages if either of those is the engines in your car. Let me know if it is.
Roland