What is this stray sensor?

Post by **Lumpy99** » 20 Sep 2011, 19:13

1999 s80 non-turbo. I just bought it and drove it home OK, even though it had a P0011 code and the seller said "sometimes it goes into limp mode". This morning, it limped. I opened to hood to check the camshaft position sensor, and there it was bolted in place (green arrow), but there was another one just hanging by it's wire (red arrow).

What now? Where does that second one go?

kiss4afrog · Post by **kiss4afrog** » 20 Sep 2011, 20:30

I have no clue about the "red" sensor but I found this on your code. I'd clear the code and see if it resets. If you don't have a scanner you can get a loaner in the lot at some parts stores.
P0011 - "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over - Advanced or System Performance Bank 1...so, not necessarily a solenoid issue but could be. What I have read is the actual solenoid does not typically fail. I'm not sure what it means that it doesn't move when current is applied. Typically the P0011 comes up when the VVTs (variable valve timing- only on Volvo's with manual tensioners '99 and newer) don't reach the desired position fast enough and it is related to oil pressure or a belt that is incorrect with its timing. Have you had any work done on the car recently that might have affected the timing belt (engine work, water pump, etc.)? I would say if not, get your timing belt checked to be on the safe side. I know that your belt is due for a change at 105K miles and you're a bit away from that but it could be that your tensioner is starting to fail, advancing your timing. Also, when was the last time your oil was changed? In doing a bit of research on this I found that, if the oil is low or if the oil filler cap is loose you might loose oil pressure which could also set this code, so check these things too. If all is well, you can pull the 5 amp fuse for the ECU and reset the code or use an OBD-II reader to do this and see if the code comes back.

kiss4afrog · Post by **kiss4afrog** » 20 Sep 2011, 20:43

I keep coming back to that picture. Have you followed that lead from the sensor hanging off to the side? Is it plugged into the harness anywhere and is the one that's installed into the engine plugged in?
I'm wondering if it's just laying there from someone being lazy when they swapped it out or did it in the dark and forgot it.

Post by **Lumpy99** » 20 Sep 2011, 20:53

The installed one is plugged into a connector down under the intake manifold. The loose one's wire disappears into the loom that's visible in the lower left of the picture.

Just went out and cleared the codes (I have a scanner), and it went back into limp mode after revving it to about 3500, and the P0011 was thrown again.

Post by **MyVolvoPartsOnline** » 21 Sep 2011, 12:01

Looks like a transmission speed sensor to me, maybe something else. Whatever it is It needs to be plugged in before you try to diagnose the problem.

Post by **dcarlson12** » 22 Sep 2011, 14:07

I agree that it looks like one left over from a swap out of old for new and they didn't bother to remove it.
Below is a .pdf from VADIS which shows components location for engine sensors and the only one which looks like that sensor is the camshaft position sensor (CMP).
I have also included the file about the automatic transmission and no where could I see a sensor which looks like the one you have hanging loose.

Post by **jimmy57** » 22 Sep 2011, 17:07

That is a cam position sensor. The same thing you highlighted in green installed in the correct place.
Someone may have put in another one for testing and left the original.