93 850 Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement issue

javaqen · Post by **javaqen** » 20 Jan 2010, 19:46

My 93 Volvo 850 GLT has had a problem shutting off while I'm driving. It seems to miss which makes me let off the gas and then the car stalls. It usually starts back up after 5-10 minutes. I pulled the code 314 on A-6 and went to the parts store for a Camshaft Position Sensor. The guy at the parts place told me this was exactly what happens when the sensor starts to go - that it will miss and shut off - and when it dies it will just die and not re-start. My husband put the new sensor on this evening and now the car won't start at all, it turns over, but no start. I read somewhere that when replacing any electrical component you should disconnect the battery for 20 minutes or so before starting the car. Should we try this or have we already done damage by starting it before the battery disconnection?

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Jan 2010, 19:58

No, i seriously doubt you did any damage to it. If you have a voltmeter, test for the resistance between the terminals on the new sensor (and of course make sure it's plugged in correctly). If you see 0 ohms, it's bad - I have had bad brand-new parts before.

If that checks out ok, you can try disconnecting the battery and re-trying. I usually pull the negative cable, and then go turn the key to start and back off, then reconnect it. This will make sure you drain any remaining charge in the electrical system.

If you still don't have any luck, if you didn't use an OEM part, these cars are very picky about their electrical components, and you may try picking up a used one or one from a dealer.

Post by **wheelsup** » 20 Jan 2010, 19:59

javaqen wrote:My 93 Volvo 850 GLT has had a problem shutting off while I'm driving. It seems to miss which makes me let off the gas and then the car stalls. It usually starts back up after 5-10 minutes. I pulled the code 314 on A-6 and went to the parts store for a Camshaft Position Sensor. The guy at the parts place told me this was exactly what happens when the sensor starts to go - that it will miss and shut off - and when it dies it will just die and not re-start. My husband put the new sensor on this evening and now the car won't start at all, it turns over, but no start. I read somewhere that when replacing any electrical component you should disconnect the battery for 20 minutes or so before starting the car. Should we try this or have we already done damage by starting it before the battery disconnection?

I doubt it. IIRC there is a right and wrong way to install it, maybe he put it in backward?

Or maybe I'm thinking the seal, I'll be honest it's been awhile since I dealt with it (thank goodness!).

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Jan 2010, 20:29

You're right Matt, your memory serves you correctly.

I've never done one of these myself, but it looks like the sensor will go in 2 ways...the right way, and the wrong way. Pull your sensor back out and rotate it 180 degrees so the metal tabs are opposite the positions they were in. With any luck, your car will work again!

javaqen · Post by **javaqen** » 23 Jan 2010, 10:43

Curioser and Curioser. We put the old part back on this morning, car started right up. Gonna go have the new part tested to see if it is faulty. But, if it's not, where in the world do we go from here?