2001 Daewoo Lanos 1.6 cam/o2 sensor trouble codes

[Mardini]

Hi.. I recently got this Daewoo, and I replaced a head gasket, and fixed a couple water leaks.

Next thing in line, was to do some test drives... Did some of that, and had some white smoke comin from the tailpipe for the first few days, and that pretty much cleared up. The CEL came on somewhere in there, after at least, probably 2 hours of driving. Pulled the code with a diagnostic tool, and it was the "cam sensor low input"(pretty sure it's P0342) I reset the code, and checked for some connection problems.. And it came back after another 2 hours of driving, ordered the part(cheap, but new), figured "should be the end of this story"... not really at all.

After receiving the camshaft sensor, right away I replaced it. This time.. the CEL came on IMMEDIATELY. Strange? I did some tinkering around, checking the sensors for continuity. The old one had no continuity where the new one DID have continuity. Thought that was even weirder.. So I make some adjustments to the new sensor, maybe a position problem...? To no avail. So next, I tried replacing it with the old one. Guess what, the CEL did not come on right away. Also it's acting like there is no sensor there when the new one is attached. So my first real question to you all is.. Faulty manufacturing of the cam sensor?

Next up, the O2 sensor decided to crap out on me while I was working on the car(CEL blah blah, p0134 02 sensor no activity detected bank 1, sensor 1). GREAT! So, do you thing maybe I did something wrong with the battery disconnecting/reconnecting while doin the work? Also is "sensor 1" the sensor on the cat, or after?

That's all I have to ask for now, thanks for reading my EXTENSIVE post!

[Puddle31]

they did have a recall for the camshaft position sensor years ago so I guess there is a bad batch of them somewhere. I think ifyou poke around on here someone has the part # range of the bad ones. The check engine light with that code seems to be a common problem. I have had it for years and it comes and goes. I was told my sensor is good. My problem seems to be related to heat/cold, so I ssupect there is a bad wire or connection somewhere, probably around the firewall. Mine seems to come on if I have the heater on, or things get hot (after driving a while). When the weather is cool and there is not heat on, and it's not hot outside, the code will reset after 3 cycles of the ignition without the code. I don't know how to check the wires for an intermittent problem so i live with it and got lucky and the ligth stayed off for my last vehicle inspection!!
the sensor may not be the problem, it could be the wiring?
My friend has the exact same car as my (00' Lanos) and was wondering if there is a way to electrically bypass this sensor? Any of you smart tech guys able to know how?

[Trey05Woo]

The main problem with the CMP is the connector. It gets brittle and loose with age and will make a false contact. The recall was due to a possible fire hazard, and a no start condition due to wiring of the CMP which could catch on fire, and also on very early woos (late 97 production models) shared the same ground with the crank position sensor which would cause a no start conditon (lack of ground). Its not uncommon to receive a new "bad" part I've seen it various times in my life as a technician. The new sensor could very well be internally shorted. Not surprising at all. I would advise you to secure the connection to the sensor, or just buy a new connector altogether. Its available through daewoous.com costs like 12 bucks USD, but you need a terminal tool, to remove the pins and pop them into the new connector.

[Puddle31]

Trey,
I tried to pry the cover off the timing belt to see that CPS by just removing the upper bolts.... i didnt' see it. Should i be able to get to it without having to take that whole cover all the way off? the lower bolts seem pretty tough to get to? When i get it off all I have to do is pull the connector and change the sensor and reattach it? there doesn't seem to be much room to work with in there.
thanks

[Puddle31]

ya, but the code I get is camshaft position sensor. i don't know if I have to take the whole cover off that side of the motor to get to it. i took off the top bolts but there is no way I can get in there to take that out, at least from the way I am checking on top.

[MMamdouh]

If your vehicle has a bad oxygen sensor the check engine light will come on. Otherwise they should be replaced as recommended by your service manual.

not necessary

the light will come on if the sensor is dead... if the sensor is not as responsive as it should be then the car will consume more fuel and performance will suffer yet the ECU won't trigger a CEL since the sensor is "live and kicking"

best way to check an O2 sensor is to use a scanner and observe the O2 sensor's readings... should be going back and forth between 200 and 800

MMamdouh