camshaft sensor removal - 2008 1.6 e-hdi stop/start

[nicaboo]

Hi, anyone got any tips on removing this sensor. I've got access to it and removed the retaining screw but there just isn't enough room to remove it. There is a mounting for the turbo hose manifold in the way (see picture) This mounting appears to be part of the alternator and aux belt tensioner mounting. Anyone any ideas? Fault codes I'm seeing are P0341 and P0344. Wife started the car and as she pulled away it stalled/died, no mechanical noises or anything. It turns over and almost starts but as you touch the accelarator it dies . My Onedrive video link here, not sure if allowed https://1drv.ms/v/c/c06a03ef7f8fee36/Ee ... w?e=emdEjx

[RichardW]

I'd whip that top cover off and inspect the belt - my guess is it's shed some teeth. If you're lucky, since it still sort of runs, you might get away with a new belt only.

[nicaboo]

yeah that's what I was thinking. I'm still puzzled by the sensor and how it's removed, Looks like that mounting has to come off or be moved out of the way slightly. On the brightside if it's the belt then I wont have to.

[nicaboo]

update - as the sun was out thought I'd spend my Sunday having a further look. Thought I'd check the supply voltage reading at the sensor plug first before going any further and identified that the live/battery reading was fluctuating. Removed the convoluted sheating and cleaned the wires and could then see that approx 1cm from the connector the live wire was almost worn through. Managed to depin the connector and solder in a repair and made good and readings were then OK. Removed the cambelt top cover anyway as I had all my tools out and belt looked fine (80,000 miles, 11 years old - will get it done soon). Anyway reassembled everything and crossed fingers and fortunately all now OK. I'm not sure why the wire had worn through. The insulation on the reference wire had also worn through slightly. The only thing that is close enough to cause this is one of the clamps on the righthand turbo hose so presumably it was this.

With regard to removing the camshaft sensor it looks like the alternator mount would need to be loosened or removed to do this (looks like there is only one bolt holding this on) , so aux belt would probably need to be removed as well, along with the cable management framework bolted on above the alernator, probably a couple of hours work, and all pretty fiddly with little room to work

[Bazzaclark]

Hi Nicaboo.
Just had a similar problem on my daughters Tepee (DVD6TED 1.6 HDi B9) - my fault I think. I turned the engine over by the crankshaft and then CAMshaft nut to count the teeth (141 !) on the timing belt that needs replacement. I wonder if this has buggered the auto belt-tensioner? When I tried to restart it, there was the same fault you had - my cheapie OBD said P0344, even after repeated fault clearance. The engine tried to start, then died immediately. And of course, the battery also went flat While waiting for it to charge, I tested the supply to the sensor, and it appeared OK. The Hall sensor is hard to test on its own, and in any case I too saw that it is impossible to remove - apparently you need to take the rear bumper offf to get at this one....
But now I read you story - I will check the cabling again tomorrow - I hope it will be that.
If not, I do have a new belt (seems to be about time, after 184000 km) on order, which is a 'kit' and comes with new idlers/belt tensioner. I will post here later, the results. Cheers

[Bazzaclark]

My update - turns out it was all my fault . The timing belt had jumped a tooth on the cam-gear when I was counting them. I put on the new belt, ligned up teeth properly, and it started 1st go. Hurrah.