CrankShaft Sensor/CamShaft Sensor Questions

[PTMomma]

Hello All,

As I was driving home from my weekly trip to Wally World my check engine light popped on in my 08 PT Crusier it kicked back once and I immediately pulled over in shock and disbelief. I was able to drive it home Thank God and my husband immediately took it to the mechanic. The mechanic stated that the camshaft and crankshaft sensors need to be replaced. However this is my first time replacing these items in any car that I have ever owned and I am a girl. I have a few questions that may seem silly but I want to make sure that I order the right amount and type of mopar parts.

1) How many crankshaft and camshaft sensors do I need for my 2008 PT Crusier (one or two)?

2) What would be the correct part numbers for the crankshaft sensor and the camshaft sensor?

I normally order my parts from wholesalemopar.com as they have 110% price match guarantee I just want to make sure that I get the right ones.

Thanks

[CREWZIN]

Susan, welcome to the forum.

I've never heard of both sensors going bad at one time. The fault light (read by your mechanic) should have pointed to either one or the other or there is a code saying one of them is bad ....but not both.

The most common sensor to go bad is the Camshaft sensor located on the right side of the engine as you face it from the front. I'll post a link to show how to change it at the end of my speech.

I take it your husband is going to replace it and it's relatively easy. Just change the one sensor and see if there's any more fault lights.

Before changing the sensor, take off the negative battery terminal. One, you won't hurt anything electrical whicle changing the sensor, two, taking off the cable will reset the computer and clear the code from memory.

The next, and biggest, please buy the Camshaft sensor from the dealer. Electrical parts from aftermarket vendors don't seem to work very well with the PT Cruiser. Time and time again, they fail down the line or won't work in the first place. It may cost a little more, but worth the trouble.

Here's the link on replacing the sensor.

Chrysler PT Cruiser cam sensor replacement: standard and turbo

[PTMomma]

Thank you for your response. I will show him everything.

[CREWZIN]

Your welcome, good luck.

[funkyfred]

Thank you for helping me too. Many of your other posts have been very helpful while lurking through the forums. Thanks for your kind help.

[GrapeApe]

Yeah CREWZIN is awesome.

[woodstockius]

the only torque wrench i could find is a 1/2" drive, however, the socket set i have does not have a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter, so i took the wrench, put it on a lug nut and applied 10 lbs of torque, then applied what seemed to me to be a similar amount of pressure on the bolts for the cam sensor with a regular ratchet. my question is, is this close enough or do i really need to get it to the exact 115 inch lbs required? what will happen if not cuz i'm not sure i'll be able to find a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter.

[Busted_PT]

Do them by feel wrench or ratchet. Just don't over tighten. You can damage sensors. There just plastic after all. This is a very old thread. May just want to start a new thread if no current ones are available in the future. Hope this helps.

[NitroPT]

Now I wonder why so many sensors fail around here?

Somethings need to be installed correctly with the proper torque values. Touchey feelie I think it is close does not get it.