Good afternoon everyone. I have a 2008 F150 5.4 Triton. The cam shaft sensors have gone bad 3 times in 2 years. Symptoms are it acts like it is starving for gas (shimmy and shakes really bad) whenever I slow down to a crawl, but comes back around if I hit the gas. The first time, I did the repair myself. That worked for about a year. Eight months ago it happened again so I had them replaced professionally. Two weeks ago, it started again. Why do they keep failing? TIA--Tom

 

Using OEM or aftermarket sensors? Any physical damage to them when you take them out? Any corrosion in the wiring connectors?

-Steve

 

The first time I used an aftermarket. The second time they were OEM. I haven't noticed anything on the wiring, but I'll check that out this evening. I appreciate your help. Would corrosion on the wires cause them to go bad? One thing I'd like to add is I live in a rural woodsy setting and my truck sits outside some of the time, and I've had wiring issues with rodents in the past. Could that be it? Also, I did not notice any damage to them.

 

It's hard to say, just tossing out the main things that come to mind. Generally sensors won't fail like that without some outside influence, especially both and multiple times. Based on your comment I think I'd be focusing on potential wiring issues.

 

sounds like you’ve condemned these sensor 3 times.

what testwork was done to confirm that the actual sensors had failed ?

 

no tests were done. The first time, I went off the code I got and just changed them out and the problem went away. The second time my local garage went off the information I gave him and he just replaced them again. Haven't done testing this third time. Is that your recommendation?

 

yes. i’m betting that your issue is not the sensors. and if they are in fact bad, that the sensors themselves are t the primary problem (that something else is causing them to blow. no way you just happened to get 6 bad sensors in a row.

suggest posting more info and try to work through troubleshooting. for starters:

- what was the previous code(s)?
- did you clear those codes after previous problems?
- did you save the old sensors, especially original oem s?
- what are current codes?

(post exact code numbers )

 

Makes sense. I can tell you I don't remember the code. But yes, it was cleared both times. And unfortunately the sensors were not saved.

I'll post the code tomorrow night. Family business tonight. I sure appreciate everyones help.

 

I'm not sure if it is set up like my engine is but I had to replace my cam synchronizer not too long ago. I didn't have the exact issue you are having but it did start squealing like a belt going bad. Maybe if your engine has this, then it could maybe going bad and causing the sensors to go bad as well. If the sensor sits on top of a part that sits just above the water pump and is evident it goes down into the engine, that's the part I'm referring to. It's turned by the came and drives your oil pump as well.

 

You sound like you have a 4.2 v6. OP has a 3V 5.4 and with its track record, he is probably staring at a timing job with his symptoms.