54 No fuel sync (camshaft signal) detected during engine cranking
The lack of spark is the symptom most people overlook. With a missing signal from the camshaft position sensor or the crankshaft position sensor, the Engine Computer will not turn on the automatic shutdown, (ASD) relay during engine cranking. That relay sends current to the ignition coil(s), injectors, and fuel pump or pump relay, and a few other places. Most people mistakenly stop looking after they find the lack of fuel pressure and forget to look for the other things in common that are missing, in this case, spark and injector pulses.
Replacing the ignition coil won't solve this. It isn't being fired by the Engine Computer due to the missing sensor signal. Most commonly these two sensors fail by becoming heat-sensitive, then they work again after cooling down for about an hour. Sounds like yours failed completely. That can be a good thing because when the problem is solved, you'll know it with confidence. When we do something to try to solve an intermittent problem, we never know for sure if it's really solved. Both of these sensors commonly work fine as long as you're driving and natural air flow keeps them cool. When you stop for a short time, as in when stopping for gas, engine heat migrates up to the sensors causing one to fail. When that type of failure happens, it will start working after cooling down, then the engine will start and run again.
It's important to understand that diagnostic fault codes never say to replace a part or that one is bad. They only indicate the circuit or system that needs further diagnosis, or the unacceptable operating condition. When a part is referenced in a fault code, in this case the camshaft position sensor, it is actually the cause of that code about half of the time. First we have to rule out wiring and connector terminal problems, and anything else associated with that part. In this case, I'd take a chance it's a defective sensor. The cost of a replacement is very little compared to the cost of a professional diagnosis. If we're right, you'll save a lot of money. If we're wrong, you're only out the cost of the sensor.
The camshaft position sensor for your engine is inside the distributor, shown with my nifty red arrow in the third parts location drawing. Before you buy a new sensor, be sure to check for corrosion on the connector terminals, and places where the wiring might be damaged.
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:16 AM
