2001 EX Top Dead (Center?) Sensor
 

Greetings all. My 2001 EX has gone into limp mode 3 times in the past year, and the last time I took it into the dealership because the check engine light came on. I don't know the specific error codes off the top of my head, but I will post them when I get home. Anyhow, he said the Top Dead Center sensor was bad, and that it was built into the cylinder head, and to replace it would require $1500 to $2500 worth of work because I would have to replace the cylinder head, and that the car was not worth it. I have found some stuff on google that seem to indicate it is possible to replace the sensor only, and it costs around $30. I think the dealership is full of it, and they just want my money. The car is worth the effort. It only has 130K miles on it, has a new timing belt/water pump, new struts, and a new fuel pump, and has had the oil changed religiously every 5K miles for its' whole life. Other than this sensor problem, the car has had absolutely no mechanical issues, and I hope to get another 100K out of it. My question is this: is it realistic to replace just the sensor, or is there any truth to what the dealer told me? Thanks for any input, and I will post the error codes later.

Greg

Ok, here is the readout, verbatim, from the dealership invoice:

"CODE P1362 AND P1361 FOR TOP DEAD SENSOR CLEARED CODE RAN FUNCTION TEST IF PROBLE RE-OCCURS WILL NEED TO REPLACE SENSOR WHICH ONLY WAY TO GET IS WITH CYLINDER HEAD"

So much for grammar and spelling. Does anyone know what these codes are, or if I can get the sensor replaced without having to replace the cylinder head? Thanks.

Greg

Hey,
I hope its not to late but the TDC sensor I believe is simply the Camshaft Position Sensor and it is behind the timing cover on the drivers side of the engine.
I just did mine and it took me a total of about 3 and a half hours and the includes going to grab the sensor and stopping to eat a snack, and a total of about $80 including a new valve cover gasket.
IF it IS the camshaft position sensor it most definately is NOT part of the head nor will your head need to be replaced.
If you can't do it your self, FIND A DIFFERENT SHOP!!!
That other one is cheating you.

Definitely is too late. I ended up getting a used engine with 86,000 miles and a lifetime guarantee as long as I own the car. I ended up taking it to two different shops, only one of which was a Honda dealership, the other a Honda specialist, and they both said the same thing. I can't really determine if they were both trying to bilk me, but it is too late now. The engine seems fine, except for an annoying knocking sound that is timed with the RPM's. Low RPM = low knock frequency, maybe 2 or three per second. High RPM = high knock frequency, too high to count. I'm no mechanic, but to me it sounds like a pulley knocking on something. Anyhow, thanks for the reply.

I would say bilking confirmed. They put a knocking engine in your car. Dude that's foul.

Knocking happens when you spin a bearing, which means the engine needs to be rebuilt.

Hope for something simple, but dont let it go long.

I just found this forum while looking for info about the TDC sensor in my 01 Civic. I hate it for the guy that bought a whole new motor just because of fouled sensor. I was able to replace mine without much trouble (took about 2.5 hrs) other than the bolt closest to the front of the car on the Timing belt cover. To remove that one (and replace it) you need a narrow but at least 1.5" long 10mm socket. If I ever have to do it again I will buy a 10mm socket for my 1/4" drive ratchet. Anyway, its in and the Civic has a little more juice than before. I can post instructions if anyone else needs to replace their TDC/Cam shaft position sensor.