The Engine Management System (EMS) on your Ford Taurus uses the camshaft position sensor to sequence the fuel injectors' operation. It synchronizes fuel injection to each cylinder according to the signal sent by the camshaft sensor. When this sensor malfunctions, you may notice that it takes longer to fire up the engine; the engine may stumble, hesitate or even stall when you accelerate. If you notice these symptoms and the diagnostic points to a bad camshaft position sensor, buy a replacement from a local auto parts store and install it using this guide.
Disconnect the ground battery cable using a wrench to hold the terminal bolt in place as you loosen the retaining nut with another wrench.
Locate the accelerator cable next to the throttle assembly towards the back and top of the engine and remove the shield. Pull the retaining pins using a pair of slip joint pliers if necessary.
Remove any other accessories that might interfere with the removal of the camshaft sensor like wiring harness, spark plug retainers or engine cover, depending on your particular Ford Taurus model.
Move the fuel-injectors wiring harness off the valve cover studs as well to gain access to the camshaft sensor if necessary.
Locate the camshaft sensor around the top of the engine. For more information, see the Resources box at the bottom of this article.
Unplug the camshaft-sensor electrical connector by pressing on the lock tab and pulling the plastic connector off the sensor.
Unfasten the two sensor mounting screws using a Phillips screwdriver and remove the sensor from the engine compartment.
Position the new camshaft sensor in place and start the two mounting screws by hand to avoid damaging the threads.
Tighten the two mounting screws using the Phillips screwdriver.
Plug the camshaft-sensor electrical connector.
Realign the fuel injectors' wiring harness over the valve cover studs.
Install any other accessories you had to remove to gain access to the camshaft sensor like wiring harness, spark plug retainers or engine cover.
Replace the accelerator cable shield if you had to remove it. Use the slip joint pliers if necessary.
Connect the ground, battery cable using one of the wrenches to hold the terminal bolt in place and tighten the retaining nut with another wrench.
