My 04 Stratus is long overdue for a new timing belt. It is just now starting to throw camshaft position sensor error codes (along with code P0016 for which I can't find the definition).

I am fairly mechanically inclined, but before I take down my only form of transportation (the Jeep is down hard...):

1) Is this a job I can knock out in a couple of hours?

2) Are there any special tools required?

I plan to hit Azone for a Haynes book and some parts after work, and I plan to watch the fights tonight, but have to have the thing running by 5a.m.

Should I wait until next weekend? The car has 133k miles on OEM belt. (I know, I know I should have done it a long time ago)...

2.4L DOHC

Thanks in advance!
Paul

 

Even though replacing the timingbelt is highly recommended after 100K miles, I think your code is either a crank shaft or cam shaft sensor error.
I had this same error on my 02 stratus and my vehicle whould die on me. I found the error code which stated I replace the camshaft sensor. When I called the dealer they recommended I replace both the cam and crankshaft sensors. The one that really fixed the error was the CRANKshaft sensor located just above the oil pan, on the side of the engine closest to the pasangers(side mount engine)

I hope this helps

Big Al

 

Thanks, Big Al, for the reply...

Well, I stopped after work and bought a book, a cam position sensor and a timing belt. My VIN 8th digit is a "J" (ZPEV) which is surprising. I thought the ZPEV engines were Calif. only. I bought the car used here in Oklahoma 3-1/2 years ago with only 15k miles on it, but did not know it must have come from the west coast.

So I got home and read the manual on the timing belt, and quickly decided it would have to wait. Then I decided I'd change the cam position sensor to see if that corrected the problem. I took out the two screws that held it in place, then I opened the box with the new one and they did not match.

So, I went ahead and remounted the original sensor...I never even unplugged the electrical connector, only removed the two screws, pulled the sensor away from the head, and then re-installed it.

I decided to run back to the parts house (20 miles away) after clearing the fault codes to see what would happen. I swapped the cam sensor for one for an "X" engine code and checked that the timing belt was the correct version. The "X" version of the cam sensor appears to match. Maybe this car really doesn't have the ZPEV?

Anyway to make a short story long, that code has not returned. I had been fighting with this for a month intermittently (unable to drive over 2000 RPM during my 40 mile commute), almost daily, and now it has been okay for 5 days, just by messing with it. I still have the new one in case it comes back, but hey, if it ain't broke...

Yeah, I think the timing belt is going to be a real PITA and I will probably put it off for another couple of weeks if not longer. The only issue I have right now is P0491 which has been there awhile but doesn't seem to be causing any driveability issues...

Paul

 

Your P0016 code was a "cam/crankshaft position correlation sensor A - Bank 1" error. You fixed it when you messed with your cam position sensor. It may have been losing it's ground and, after you repositioned it, it re-grounded itself.
Your P0491 code is a "Secondary Air System (Bank 1)" error. Not sure what this is for. I would clear the code and see if it comes back.
Marty

 

Thanks, Marty. Yeah, I figured the P0016 was related to the others, but they are cleared up for now.

The P0491 (secondary air system bank 1) problem has been there a long time (like over a year) but causes no drivabillity issues. I can clear it, but it comes back after two trips every time.

I finally found some info the other day about where the air pump might be located (see my reply in another thread). I just haven't found time to actually work on the thing.

Paul