ok so a while ago in October I go to start my car and it stutters and backfires and dies on the first turn....2nd turn it starts up and runs fine but my ECU flipped a "camshaft positioner failure" CEL. I went to Napa, bought the sensor, replaced it....a few start ups were fine.....but within a few days it started misfiring and backfiring and stopping again on startup, same CEL code....I went out bought another sensor and this time replaced it with the battery disconnected to try and clear the code.....

go to start the car up....misfire, backfire, stops.....2nd try, kicks on...CEL pops back up....same code.


I've read alot about 99-04s having similar problems and it not being the sensor at all, but a problem with the alternator. I hope thats not the case, but if it is, is it better to get the alternator re-worked or should I look into buying a new one. I have underdrive pullies on (steeda) but they've been on since last spring so I dont think its the pulleys tripping the code.

Also, I plan on getting a small amp/sub box in sometime this winter and was wondering if I should maybe upgrade the amps from stock 95 (I think) to 130 amps or higher....I flipped thru some catalouges and saw powermaster alternators and PA performance alternators from 130 amps all the way up to 200.

Based on what I read about this in other forums/posts its more than likely the alternator...but i dont want to shell out 300-400 bucks unless i have to.

any thoughts please....

 

anyone?

 

If you find out why an alternator problem would cause a camshaft positioner failure let me know[:-] Seems very weird....

 

It couldn't have anything to do with your aftermarket timing adjuster could it?