Do I need to do a crank / cam re-learn after removing OPDA

[Jwhite]

I had to remove my crown opda because it was leaking. Turns out the shop that did it 2 years ago didn’t put the gasket in with it. After I finished it I took it on a road test and floored it. This set off my Check engine light for a p0016 code. I have since readjusted the opda a little bit and I can not get it to throw a check engine light. Do I need to do a cam crank relearn? The jeep runs great no matter what rpm it’s at. I have also put over 100 miles on it since then

 

[Chris]

I think that it's a mixed bag. Some people have to do it while others have gotten away without doing it. When I did mine I was fortunate enough to not have to do it.

 

[Jwhite]

I think that it's a mixed bag. Some people have to do it while others have gotten away without doing it. When I did mine I was fortunate enough to not have to do it.

How would I know if I need to?

 

[Chris]

How would I know if I need to?

If it isn’t running right when you drive it. You’ll know because it will feel like the timing is off.

 

[Jwhite]

If it isn’t running right when you drive it. You’ll know because it will feel like the timing is off.

Okay I will leave it then since it runs fine and no check engine light. I don’t want to mess anything up. Do these opdas have a little flexibility on where they are clocked?

 

[rasband]

Mine is fine without the full relearn... unless it's really cold for an extended period. My guess is I am off by enough for the temperature to matter (but I don't care much since it's really only used during the nicer months). I really should get back to TDC and make sure the holes line up in the OPDA - that should be enough to be pretty confident in timing being very close.

 

[Chris]

Okay I will leave it then since it runs fine and no check engine light. I don’t want to mess anything up. Do these opdas have a little flexibility on where they are clocked?

The only way to know for sure when they’re cooked is to remove it and inspect the gears. At that point though you may as well replace it. The only other indicator they’re bad is the barrel of monkey sound. If that happens you better not drive it otherwise you risk catastrophic failure.

 

[Zippyman1962]

Jwhite,

With the crown OPDA unit you won’t have to worry about the barrel of monkeys sound. It has a built in oil slinger that lubricants the top bearing. This will prevent cam lobe wearing (see Mopar service bulletin for details). That crown OPDA is a well built design; I have had it installed now for over 8 years. When I found out about the OEM OPDA service bulletin I took my 2005 TJ to the dealership and had the cam lobe inspected (- 8 years ago); their opinion was that the cam was not worn due to the OEM setup. I performed my own inspection and scoped the cam and came to the same conclusion. The OEM OPDA was not acting up or making barrel of monkey sounds; so I lucked out. I replace it with the recommended (thanks TJ forum) Crown OPDA and did the Cam / Ck sensor relearn. Nothing but happiness since.



Where you might see an issue without doing a relearn is at extreme ambient temperatures; if the phase sync is close to being out of spec the PCM will not throw any DTCs when driving; once summer temperatures hit combined with the dual min-cats ovens roasting the intake you could see some intermittent Ck & or Cmp sensor DTCs errors. Worst case is that the PCM will put the engine into limp mode preventing RPMs >2500. If that happens just take it to a trusted shop and have a relearn procedure. Do let anyone tell you that you have sensor issues or wiring problems or anything wrong with your TJ. Just have them do a relearn procedure and smile and wave at them as you drive out of the shop without DTCs.



Hope this helps; been there done this!



Happy Jeepin’,

Chris

 

[Jwhite]

Jwhite,

With the crown OPDA unit you won’t have to worry about the barrel of monkeys sound. It has a built in oil slinger that lubricants the top bearing. This will prevent cam lobe wearing (see Mopar service bulletin for details). That crown OPDA is a well built design; I have had it installed now for over 8 years. When I found out about the OEM OPDA service bulletin I took my 2005 TJ to the dealership and had the cam lobe inspected (- 8 years ago); their opinion was that the cam was not worn due to the OEM setup. I performed my own inspection and scoped the cam and came to the same conclusion. The OEM OPDA was not acting up or making barrel of monkey sounds; so I lucked out. I replace it with the recommended (thanks TJ forum) Crown OPDA and did the Cam / Ck sensor relearn. Nothing but happiness since.



Where you might see an issue without doing a relearn is at extreme ambient temperatures; if the phase sync is close to being out of spec the PCM will not throw any DTCs when driving; once summer temperatures hit combined with the dual min-cats ovens roasting the intake you could see some intermittent Ck & or Cmp sensor DTCs errors. Worst case is that the PCM will put the engine into limp mode preventing RPMs >2500. If that happens just take it to a trusted shop and have a relearn procedure. Do let anyone tell you that you have sensor issues or wiring problems or anything wrong with your TJ. Just have them do a relearn procedure and smile and wave at them as you drive out of the shop without DTCs.



Hope this helps; been there done this!



Happy Jeepin’,

Chris

Is there a way to check timing with a obd2 reader to see if my opda is aligned correctly?

 

[Zippyman1962]

Not that I am aware of; you need a mid level bi-directional scan tool that is capable of syncing the cam - Ck. Shouldn’t cost but 1 hr of shop time . Much cheaper overall.

 

[JKP]

I'm pretty sure it was determined in a previous thread that disconnecting the battery on an 05 or 06 would cause the PCM to relearn the cam/crank difference.

I've never done a scan tool relearn on my 06. If it throws a code, tweak the OPDA one way or the other till no code, then disconnect the battery to relearn.

 

[Chippy]

Is there a way to check timing with a obd2 reader to see if my opda is aligned correctly?

Yes, you can use a scan tool that can show the cam/crank difference. You want it as close to zero as possible and then do the relearn. I got the same code as you and I had to use a scan tool to check mine, get it zeroed in, and relearn. CEL is gone after that.

 

[TEZZA]

As close to zero as possible.

 

[mrblaine]

Okay I will leave it then since it runs fine and no check engine light. I don’t want to mess anything up. Do these opdas have a little flexibility on where they are clocked?

Yes, they have about 10 degrees of timing the PCM will compensate for either side of 0.

 

[mrblaine]

If that happens just take it to a trusted shop and have a relearn procedure. Do let anyone tell you that you have sensor issues or wiring problems or anything wrong with your TJ. Just have them do a relearn procedure and smile and wave at them as you drive out of the shop without DTCs.



Hope this helps; been there done this!



Happy Jeepin’,

Chris

The relearn will not fix or correct out of spec adjustment.

 

[mrblaine]

Yes, you can use a scan tool that can show the cam/crank difference. You want it as close to zero as possible and then do the relearn. I got the same code as you and I had to use a scan tool to check mine, get it zeroed in, and relearn. CEL is gone after that.

And it works every time without fucking with it.

 

[Chippy]

And it works every time without fucking with it.

yeah mine was just too out of wack I guess. I kept adjusting it and the CEL wouldn’t go away, would turn it too far one direction and the jeep wouldn’t start or ran like shit.

Just used a scan tool to get it close to 0 and then did a relearn. Made it easy and costs nothing if you already have one

 

[Jwhite]

Yes, they have about 10 degrees of timing the PCM will compensate for either side of 0.

Does this mean I can probably leave it since it runs great with no check engine lights? PS your frame rivets and install tool worked great

 

[mrblaine]

Does this mean I can probably leave it since it runs great with no check engine lights? PS your frame rivets and install tool worked great

The PCM can compensate for about 10 degrees of timing either side of 0.

 

[Zorba]

First thing I'd do would be to remove the OPDA, re-pin it, set the engine to TDC, and re-install. That ensures the OPDA is in the correct orientation and just "makes sure" its right. THEN re-learn if you need to.