2005-2014 Mustangs Discussions on the latest S197 model Mustangs from Ford.

Check Engine Light --> Cam sensor

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Old Oct 19, 2014 | 06:27 PM
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Default Check Engine Light --> Cam sensor

Lately for the past couple of months my check engine light has been coming on 2-3 times a week and it always throws out a code for camshaft positioning sensor, Bank1 (A). I've already replaced the sensor but, the code still keeps coming up!!

I read a post online that someone had mentioned this could be the alternator becoming defective and sending off some kind of signal that causes the ECU to spit out the wrong check engine light code.

Has anyone ever heard of this??> Any ideas what else I should check?>
Old Oct 19, 2014 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by BeastMachine67
Lately for the past couple of months my check engine light has been coming on 2-3 times a week and it always throws out a code for camshaft positioning sensor, Bank1 (A). I've already replaced the sensor but, the code still keeps coming up!!

I read a post online that someone had mentioned this could be the alternator becoming defective and sending off some kind of signal that causes the ECU to spit out the wrong check engine light code.

Has anyone ever heard of this??> Any ideas what else I should check?>
Yep, a very good chance its your alternator. the 05-07 i believe had this issue. Ive seen it once on an 06. no one believed me it was a bad alternator. they replaced the cam sensor twice. about a month later, his alternator died and replacing it fixed all of his issues!
Old Oct 19, 2014 | 10:51 PM
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interesting...I should have it tested. It seems to still be charging though
Old Oct 19, 2014 | 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Lethaldosage423
Yep, a very good chance its your alternator. the 05-07 i believe had this issue.
Not just the 05-07 but also 08-09 and yes, the OP's problem is probably a dying alternator (usually the diodes).
Old Oct 20, 2014 | 02:52 AM
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I kept getting the same code and then changed my alternator. Everyone said that was the reason for the cam code and they were right it fixed my problem.
Old Oct 20, 2014 | 02:59 AM
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Replace the alternator asap before you have to replace that and your battery.
Old Oct 21, 2014 | 09:02 AM
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It was my alternator also. Replaced that and fixed the code. Been good for over a year now.
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 01:07 AM
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Originally Posted by lenko
It was my alternator also. Replaced that and fixed the code. Been good for over a year now.
How many miles on your car when the alternator when out? Mine is an 06GT with 32k and still on the stock unit. I am fully expecting it to go eventually.
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 808muscle
How many miles on your car when the alternator when out? Mine is an 06GT with 32k and still on the stock unit. I am fully expecting it to go eventually.
It was just over 40 K miles. I had just installed a Series VI Saleen supercharger a few weeks before and I re clocked and turned the alternator around, so I thought maybe it was that. I started to research the code and saw that many S197 were affected with the failing alternator. I replaced it with a DB Electric High Output 160 amp 4.6 L Mustang 2005 2006 unit.
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by BeastMachine67
interesting...I should have it tested. It seems to still be charging though
It's a diode that goes bad and sends weird electronic signals which for whatever reason shows up in the CPS. Mine worked fine for 3 years with the code sporadically showing up. Then driving down the freeway one day it just totally died. Lucky for me my battery was ok. In order to have the alternator tested properly it will have to be removed from the car which is pretty easy. The little clamp type tool the use at the auto parts store won't usually give the best reading.

Good luck.

Don't replace the CPS anymore.



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