This is a real major issue. First, I need to mention that my motor is on a 1999, E-150 Econoline van. I had a thermostat problem. Took all the air assembly off, then discovered that the Camshaft Position Sensor connector was in the way to remove the bolts of the thermo housing. I had to disconnect the sensor and finish the thermo problem.

In doing so, I used an electrical degreaser spray can to clean the areas around the sensor. I also cleaned another electrical connector fastened to the mounting bracket just in front of the Camshaft Position Sensor. As I re-assembled the pieces, the connector to the Camshaft Position Sensor would not go back into place!!!

So..... after several attempts, I discover that the connector was bad. In fact, the 3 wires coming from the PCM (?) attached to the connector, were all touching each other. Maybe the degreaser melted another person's attempt in diagnosing a sensor(?).

I find another connector at a used parts yard. I spliced the connector perfectly, and slipped the connector onto the Camshaft Sensor and it snapped into place perfectly.

Once everything else was put back on, I turn the motor over and nothing fired. I discover that the Camshaft Position Sensor got fried after I checked the fuses. Once the 30amp fuse was discovered, it told me to replace the Camshaft Sensor. After all of this, the motor starts up!

However, when I drove away to check everything, the motor was not operating normally. In fact, there is a misfire in all RPM ranges. I am at a stand still not knowing where to look now!

Anybody have a clue what to check next? I'm sure it is related with the electrical problem I had. Maybe the other connector I cleaned went to another sensor?

 

Is the check engine light on? Does your 4.2L have Motorcraft plugs in it? Any other brand is known to cause issues such as the one you're describing. If you are running motorcraft plugs, how many miles are on them and the coil pack? I would do some searching in this forum, you will find a lot of good information that may help you narrow down your issue. Good luck.

 

The check engine light does not come on. I bought this van 3 months ago with 225,000 miles on it. I have no clue about the Motorcraft plugs. Since the electrical surge blew the fuse and after replacing the Camshaft Position Sensor, I looked inside the Sensor and it showed a sign of melt down befor ethe fuse popped.

I'm just wondering if there is anything further up the electrical direction that could be damaged, as in the coil?

 

BTW.... My wife graduated from U of Maryland!!!

 

A quick note here: During the splice of the connector wires, the middle wire (Ground) seemed to be just a bit smaller in gauge than the wires coming from the system. Can there be a slight drop in Amp and Volts to cause this sensor to send the wrong signal to the PCM?