Camshaft position sensor: which one should I buy?

[sab]

@ColoJeep, I just went back into the parts manual for 1997-1999 and looked again. No cam sensor. It's referred to as a "distributor switchplate":

That's a new configuration to me. Is ignition fired by points and the injectors by that sensor? That's the way it looks, and if so, that's a very odd way to do things. Electronic ignition predates electronic fuel injection (usually) in the automotive world.

 

[ColoJeep]

@ColoJeep, I just went back into the parts manual for 1997-1999 and looked again. No cam sensor. It's referred to as a "distributor switchplate":
View attachment 557567

That's a new configuration to me. Is ignition fired by points and the injectors by that sensor? That's the way it looks, and if so, that's a very odd way to do things. Electronic ignition predates electronic fuel injection (usually) in the automotive world.

I know my 99 242 does not have points . The concept is the same with the coil pack or the distributor , cam position sensor and crank position sensor tell the PCM what to do. Also where are the " points " in the distributor exploded view ? Thanks SAB.

 

[sab]

Also where are the " points " in the distributor exploded view ?

Exactly! But what's odd is that there's no need for the plug wires to be arranged in a circle with electronic ignition controlled by the PCM triggered by a cam sensor. I knew this I6 has been around a very long time and that some very creative things were done to keep it in service through carburetion, electronic ignition, and fuel injection, but this aspect is a new one to me.

 

[JKP]

There's no points in a TJ, heck there's no points in my 92 YJ 4.0.

Crank sensor tells the PCM when to fire the coil, the distributor directs it to the correct cyl.

On the coil rail models, it just fires the coil for the pair of cyls at TDC, one is on compression, the other on exh. The pairs are 1 and 6, 2 and 5, 3 and 4.

 

[sab]

There's no points in a TJ, heck there's no points in my 92 YJ 4.0.

Crank sensor tells the PCM when to fire the coil, the distributor directs it to the correct cyl.

On the coil rail models, it just fires the coil for the pair of cyls at TDC, one is on compression, the other on exh. The pairs are 1 and 6, 2 and 5, 3 and 4.

Huh. Got my daily learnin' in! Thanks, fellers!

 

[JKP]

If you're really bored, you can go to resources and pull up the FSMs for theory of operation.

Your 05, like my 06 has some differences compared to the other years of TJs as well.

 

[ColoJeep]

Exactly! But what's odd is that there's no need for the plug wires to be arranged in a circle with electronic ignition controlled by the PCM triggered by a cam sensor. I knew this I6 has been around a very long time and that some very creative things were done to keep it in service through carburetion, electronic ignition, and fuel injection, but this aspect is a new one to me.

AMC made distributors for years , you still need to drive the oil pump , so it was an easy first step.
Later Chrysler and Daimler bean counters thought a waste spark coil pack and OPDA were the cheap way forward.
However the Daimler volks take the cake for making things so improved , they almost don't work.

 

[sab]

If you're really bored, you can go to resources and pull up the FSMs for theory of operation.

I must be bored often, because I spend a LOT of time in the FSM! I didn't go there this time, though.

 

[sab]

AMC made distributors for years , you still need to drive the oil pump , so it was an easy first step.

Yeah, I'd never seen a cam position sensor target not on a cam before I bought my LJ! It works, but it's very Rube Goldberg-like. Knowing the automotive industry quite well, I shouldn't be surprised, but I am.