ECU code 3, cam position sensor...

Simon Dean · Post by **Simon Dean** » Thu Aug 29, 2002 6:42 pm

Dear clever people

My little red beastie has been having trouble getting up in the morning (up
hills that is) for a couple of years now. I fixed it nicely by advancing the
ignition (disable ecu,strobe, etc) but the underlying problem according to
the ECU is the cam position sensor. This has just appeared in the last week
(diagnostic code 3). Is the cam position sensor the same thing I rotated to
advance the timing? Also, does anyone know how to fix an error code 3?! I am
assuming that the car is now just guessing where TDC is and my advance is
just bring it back closer to what it is supposed to be if it knew where TDC
was. I would like to get to the bottom of this because while the wee red
beastie is running superbly now, 18deg BTDC advance seems a little steep
(but no sign of preignition...) am I just masking a sick engine with way
advance and being a lucky bugger to get away with it?

Cheers!

Simon

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Fri Aug 30, 2002 8:08 am

ECU code 3, cam position sensor...Failing crankshaft nose? What year is the
car?

lou Girardin · Post by **lou Girardin** » Fri Aug 30, 2002 8:10 am

ECU code 3, cam position sensor...I had the same error code come up once, I
cleaned the various connectors to the CAS and the ECU plug with contact
cleaner, then disconnected the positive battery terminal overnight and the
code went away. Try this before you start spending big dollars on diagnosis.
Changing the timing will not cause this error code.
Good Luck
Lou

Simon Dean · Post by **Simon Dean** » Sun Sep 01, 2002 11:54 pm

Thanks for you reply, it is a 1989 import. Crankshaft nose? Forgive my
ignorance, the last car I played with under the bonnet was a 1956 Morris
Minor.

Cheers!

Simon.