[majid ahmed]

Since I bought my car , 4 years ago (Vectra twin cam 1.8 L, 1996),and my car was suffering from jerking and sudden engine shut-down, ECU shows the code of cam sensor (using paper clip method).
Some times it behaves well for months , but lately , the problem became more frequent , but ECU this time showed crank & cam sensor problems.
I've browsed a manual (in Polish)!, and couldn't understand a single word !.
I've concluded from the manual , a method of testing this device.
It has 3 pins numbered as 1,2,3 , resistance between pin 1&2 is 12 Ω-14 Ω , between 2&3 is about 0.3 Ω – 0.5 Ω .
Testing my cam sensor showed a resistance between 2& 3 around 25 Ω to 150 Ω , and changing especially when knocking it with screw driver or even when twisting it by hand!.
Hence I decided to break-in the cam sensor , pictures are :
Pictures by majid_ahmed - Photobucket
I've covered sensitive soldered points with a lot of epoxy.
It contains two concentric coils , source& modulator ,embedded in an orange epoxy .
I am an electrical engineer IT NEVER GETS FAULTY ,unless a bad contact between coils & terminal pins due to high temperature ,vibration and different expansion factor between epoxy and metal parts.
Any way , my car is very good now , and about $50 has came back to my pocket!, since no genuine parts are available in Iraq.
P.S
----
I don't recommend to break-in this device since it's very hard process and unless you're so handy to solder precise points.
Majid

[ASTOBBS]

Nice Work! A very special and uncommon sensor, I recently saw a video of one being tested with an oscilloscope, really high frequency sensor.

[majid ahmed]

ASTOBBS,
Actually it is in radio frequency rang (LF), about 160 KHz , whenever the thick segment of cam gear (half circle) , passes the sensor front face,it will increase the INDUCTANCE of coils causing modulation .