Mitsubishi Repair: 1998 Eclipse, mitsubishi eclipse, sensor circuit

Question
QUESTION: My 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo 2.0 liter was running fine.  I came out of a doctors appointment today and it would start but won't stay running.  It dies after a few seconds.  The codes (which were clear) now shows "camshaft position sensor circuit malfunction".  Could this sensor really prevent it from running? I bought the sensor for less that $50 and it looks easy to install, but I haven't installed it because I heard that the sensor must be "relearned". Is that so?  Must I do that first?

ANSWER: Ah John: Did you know your car is controled by that computer and many sensors through out the engine. Well heck, the computer even controls how your car shifts the transmisson. Yes a little old sensor would keep your car from running right. Well what happens is the sensor is not sharing its thoughts with the computer, so the computer thinks something is wrong and therefore the best bet is to not run the engine as in saving its self. The way to do this is get yourself a repair manual, see how to put the sensor in and hook it up, oh most parts stores sell those repair manuals for around $20.00 well worth the money for doing things right. Try to get a Haynes they are the best. Before you put the sensor in, take the neg cable off the battery, once you put the new sensor in, the computer will have reset its self and then put the neg cable back on the battery, tighten it down. And the car should run much better. God bless: Linda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I heard that the sensor must be "relearned". Is that so?  Must I do that first?


Answer
John: I don't know where people are getting this from, I have been getting a lot of emails on the computer relearning the sensor. I think it is more on the order of the computer finding out that the sensor now works again. The only way I know to reset the computer is to remove the neg cable off the battery, wait about 5 minutes and put it back on. The computer will then reset its self or relearn and starts with a new page on its life. I wonder if that relearn is something a shop came up with as to keep people from teaching their car computers a thing or two. As to make money for the shop, if you can't do it yourself then a shop must have to do it for you. Sorry I have not heard the relearn bit till lately on this site. But then could be the "people that be" well the ones with brains or think they have them; have come up with this thought. Again I don't know but this is a new one for me. Just remove the neg cable from the battery, put in the sensor, put the neg cable back on, tighten it down and see what happens. That is all I have ever done on these older cars and it has always worked for me. Guess I will have to look that "relearned bit" up on the net to see there it goes. Have a good day. God bless: Linda