Is this an OPDA issue or not?

It doesn't have to be continuous and not sure where the laughing monkeys or barrel of monkeys comes from as it doesn't sound anything like laughing monkeys? It sounds more like belt slippage and can come or go be continuous or intermittent.

As a precaution you should change it ASAP as its not good to have "or suspect" OPDA noise because it can be catastrophic to the gear on the cam shaft that drives it causing the oil pump not to work.

If it was built after Feb 2006 the issue was fixed or semi fixed? but I think the fix maybe did more than just prolonged the life a bit for a "quick fix" given so many if not the vast majority have all done over 100K miles in 16 plus years.

The 2005 and very early 2006 that started to squeal while still under warranty caused the panic and stigma that some TJ enthusiasts may have blown out of proportion given any component that starts to fail after 16 years and over 100K is just another worn part that needs replacing.

2005 and 2006 are very common years for TJ,s in Australia because the Dollar was parity so a 2005/ 2006 new was a fair bit cheaper than a 1999 -2004 and the reason we have so many Golden Eagles and 65th models, Most Australian TJ,s are low mileage compared to those in US and OPDA failure has never seemed to be a major issue.

New OPDA is as cheap as a quality coil rail and 6 plugs so can be changed just as frequently. :)

thanks for the information, I did change it out, had to go with Dorman. the old one looked good with some wearing on the gear but to be expected after 100,000 miles. I am having issue with getting the P0016 code since I put the new OPDA in. I did use the sensor from the old OPDA but still got the code, so I swapped to the new sensor and still coded. made some minor adjustments to the OPDA position but no luck. Any tips as to now to dial in to get the code to clear out. the OPDA was not the source of my squeal, to me it sounds like it is coming from under the front seat area around the transfer case area. but I only got one ear, so I will need to take the wife for a spin so she can help pin pt the area the sound is coming from.
 
This is some good information, I just changed out the OPDA, I believe it was stock the sticker Had LDI on it. So my issue now is I am getting the P0016 code, I reused the sensor from the original OPDA but it was not original. I believe I put the OPDA back in the original position I am sure not more than a couple degrees off. so I swapped sensors back and forth, made some small adjustments on opda position and still getting P0016 code. any tricks I can try to clear this up. Also the original OPDA looked good had some wear but nothing I would not expect for 100000 miles. and that was not the answer to my squealing, still working that issue. Any tips for the 0016 code clearing would be appreciated

The PCM will tolerate a certain amount of error in the alignment before it throws the code. It sounds like you are just off by a little one way or the other.

If I remember correctly, you need to clear the code each time.

You can rotate the engine to the TDC marker and ensure the holes in the OPDA line up. As the crank turns twice to the the OPDAs once, the OPDA holes will be 180 out at one of the pts where the marks on the crank and tab line up.
 
This is some good information, I just changed out the OPDA, I believe it was stock the sticker Had LDI on it. So my issue now is I am getting the P0016 code, I reused the sensor from the original OPDA but it was not original. I believe I put the OPDA back in the original position I am sure not more than a couple degrees off. so I swapped sensors back and forth, made some small adjustments on opda position and still getting P0016 code. any tricks I can try to clear this up. Also the original OPDA looked good had some wear but nothing I would not expect for 100000 miles. and that was not the answer to my squealing, still working that issue. Any tips for the 0016 code clearing would be appreciated

The 0016 is likely a timing issue, the PCM only allows 2.86 degrees of offset. Since the 0016 is a hard code it will not go away with clearing the code via a scan tool or until after 3 good trips. I would align the timing marks on the front of the engine and try to install the pin in the OPDA that was supplied. If the pin won't go in then the timing is off, remove the OPDA install the alignment pin and reinstall the OPDA. Clear the codes and see if that has cured your problem.

One thing you do know with a 0016 code is that the PCM is seeing good waveforms from both the crank and cam.
 
The 0016 is likely a timing issue, the PCM only allows 2.86 degrees of offset. Since the 0016 is a hard code it will not go away with clearing the code via a scan tool or until after 3 good trips. I would align the timing marks on the front of the engine and try to install the pin in the OPDA that was supplied. If the pin won't go in then the timing is off, remove the OPDA install the alignment pin and reinstall the OPDA. Clear the codes and see if that has cured your problem.

One thing you do know with a 0016 code is that the PCM is seeing good waveforms from both the crank and cam.

So excuse my ignorance. Following the how to change out the opda video from this site i assumed I was doing it right. So I took the cover off or the OPDA that is on the jeep, then turned the crank with a ratchet clockwise until the TDC holes aligned on the OPDA. after installing the pin I unbolted the clamp holding the OPDA in place and then pulled the OPDA out allowing it to twist out due to the gear meshing. then installed the pin back into the new OPDA TDC holes then slid the new OPDA into the hole allowing for the gear mesh twist. I reinstalled the clamp and realigned the OPDA to the marks I made on the block and tighten down on clamp. installed sensor. Did i miss a step by not ensuring the engine #1 cylinder not at TDC?
 
So excuse my ignorance. Following the how to change out the opda video from this site i assumed I was doing it right. So I took the cover off or the OPDA that is on the jeep, then turned the crank with a ratchet clockwise until the TDC holes aligned on the OPDA. after installing the pin I unbolted the clamp holding the OPDA in place and then pulled the OPDA out allowing it to twist out due to the gear meshing. then installed the pin back into the new OPDA TDC holes then slid the new OPDA into the hole allowing for the gear mesh twist. I reinstalled the clamp and realigned the OPDA to the marks I made on the block and tighten down on clamp. installed sensor. Did i miss a step by not ensuring the engine #1 cylinder not at TDC?

You are not ignorant, you are just learning and asking good questions. If I remember right you said your Tj had over 200k miles on it. Likely it has a worn timing chain and sprockets, thus the old cam TDC does not match the crank like when it was new. Working from a known good TDC is a way to mitigate, but not cure, a worn out timing chain/sprockets.

I never assume the OPDA TDC is correct, I alway check it against engine TDC when replacing a OPDA. Chasing these CPS/OPDA problems is a process of eliminate that often has more than one cause, kind of like the death wobble issue.
 
You are not ignorant, you are just learning and asking good questions. If I remember right you said your Tj had over 200k miles on it. Likely it has a worn timing chain and sprockets, thus the old cam TDC does not match the crank like when it was new. Working from a known good TDC is a way to mitigate, but not cure, a worn out timing chain/sprockets.

I never assume the OPDA TDC is correct, I alway check it against engine TDC when replacing a OPDA. Chasing these CPS/OPDA problems is a process of eliminate that often has more than one cause, kind of like the death wobble issue.

appreciate your response, I have 100K miles on jeep. so I assume my best course of action is to get TDC on crank then check to see if the OPDA is TDC, if it is not I should pull it and reinstall the pin in OPDA at TDC and re install OPDA. does it matter if it is TDC on compression stroke or exhaust stroke?
 
I think I see where you lost the alignment, "...realigned the OPDA to the marks I made on the block."

You should leave the pin in the OPDA until you have the hold down clamp tight. If you turned the body of the OPDA with the pin out, you are now out of time.
 
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appreciate your response, I have 100K miles on jeep. so I assume my best course of action is to get TDC on crank then check to see if the OPDA is TDC, if it is not I should pull it and reinstall the pin in OPDA at TDC and re install OPDA. does it matter if it is TDC on compression stroke or exhaust stroke?

You must be on TDC cyl 1 compression.
 
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appreciate your response, I have 100K miles on jeep. so I assume my best course of action is to get TDC on crank then check to see if the OPDA is TDC, if it is not I should pull it and reinstall the pin in OPDA at TDC and re install OPDA. does it matter if it is TDC on compression stroke or exhaust stroke?

Another good question, yes it should be on compression stroke. Good luck.
 
I think I see where you lost the alignment, "...realigned the OPDA to the marks I made on the block."

You should leave the pin in the OPDA until you have the hold down clamp tight. If you turned the body of the OPDA with the pin out, you are now out of time.

Good observation. 👍
 
originally I left the pin in until i tighten down on the clamp. it wasn't until after i got the 0016 code and changed the sensor and still got the code again. I then loosened the clamp and adjusted the OPDA. Once again team, thanks for your patients and willingness to help educate me.
 
originally I left the pin in until i tighten down on the clamp. it wasn't until after i got the 0016 code and changed the sensor and still got the code again. I then loosened the clamp and adjusted the OPDA. Once again team, thanks for your patients and willingness to help educate me.

Replacing the OPDA you usually only get one chance to the time to match what the PCM has learned from the old CPS/OPDA. If you don't hit it timing numbers the first time the chance of getting it right later is near zero.

Here is a relearn procedure that can only be done by a dealer with DRBIII scam tool or equal that must be done once the timing reference angle is lost, you may be there.
 
Thanks to the TJ family!! So I realized that the OPDA TDC does not always match Engine TDC. So I put the engine to TDC and checked the OPDA to see how far off it was from TDC, it was off and apparently enough for CEL 0016. So I pulled the OPDA and reset the pin on the opda and reinstalled it. That clamp is tough to get back on!!! have now taken the Jeep on a couple trips 10 to 15 mins away still no CEL. Got lucky on some of this but thanks to the TJ family still running and learning .
 
Thanks to the TJ family!! So I realized that the OPDA TDC does not always match Engine TDC. So I put the engine to TDC and checked the OPDA to see how far off it was from TDC, it was off and apparently enough for CEL 0016. So I pulled the OPDA and reset the pin on the opda and reinstalled it. That clamp is tough to get back on!!! have now taken the Jeep on a couple trips 10 to 15 mins away still no CEL. Got lucky on some of this but thanks to the TJ family still running and learning .

So, are you saying it is best to turn the engine to TDC before replacing the OPDA? Not just aligning the holes in the OPDA plate?
 
So did you line up the holes in the old OPDA before removing it?

I set the crank at TDC. I then looked at the OPDA and it lined up. I took the pin from the new OPDA and put it in the old one. I put a mark on the old OPDA and the block using a Sharpie marker. I then removed the hold down bolt and lifted it out turning as it came out. I laid the new and old OPDA units side by side and put a matching mark on the new OPDA to help me line it all up. I then put the pin on the new OPDA and dropped it in. I did have to use a screw driver to turn the oil pump a little to get it to drop in freely.
 
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I set the crank at TDC. I then looked at the OPDA and it lined up. I took the pin from the new OPDA and put it in the old one. I put a mark on the old OPDA and the block using a Sharpie marker. I then removed the hold down bolt and lifted it out turning as it came out. I laid the new and old OPDA units side by side and put a matching mark on the new OPDA to help me line it all up. I then put the pin on the new OPDA and dropped it in. I did have to use a screw driver to turn the oil pump a little to get it to drop in freely.

Thanks for the overview. I appreciate it.
 
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