Just went to Jagbits.com to look up cam position sensors ... there are 18 listed with prices all over the place. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

After chasing the P1396 code, it seems to me, the cam position sensors are simply a coil with an iron core, nothing exotic, very easy to copy. I'm pretty sure they'd be classified as a resolver; we used them in hydraulic painting robots for position sensors since there were safe in a highly volatile work environment. The two banks are different so not interchangeable. I wouldn't be too concerned about selecting a low cost aftermarket replacement.

You can compare resistance between your two originals to the new one but the real magic is in the inductance, on how quickly the reading will settle down to pure resistance. An old fashioned D'arsonval meter is better than a digital meter for this. You can watch the needle movement and even use a stop watch to evaluate it. They made analog computers out of the old meters long before semiconductors were a pipe dream.

Why are you looking for them? A Code? 2003 MY, 4.2L?

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...on+sensor,7192

https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/

endless selection. don't use jagbits unless losing money is your hobby

 

"It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money – that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot – it cannot be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better." John Ruskin (1819-1900) Words of Wisdom

 

Agree COMPLETELY... Although not aimed at any one parts dealer.

Due to the 'classification' of these cars as mysterious - the list of reasons for that is long - some will try to gouge, rob and steal based on that,,, mystery... It's wrong and I say shame.

These cars don't have to be expensive.

I mean shoot. For a cam position sensor, meant and able to last 100k miles, go to a wrecker on eBay (playground par is great) there are lots. The bits will be OE jag stuff... Get the part number off JLC,,, use Google to search it. The position sensor was used on Ford cars... I see them now on eBay for 12 bucks.

 

...and potted in plastic.

End price reflects what the relevant market will bear, not the cost of production.

 

Thanks for all your comments on this.
I had thought the performance differences would be insignificant and that all would do an adequate job.
I was just looking around since mine (on my '03 XK8) have just a bit of oil seepage around them and I am pretty sure they are original to the car, now with 138K on it.

 

Ok ok... At the SAME time.

There are manufacturing groups that are making allllllllllll sorts of things, not good. As you grow more accustomed to the market and the car, you will see what I (we) mean. What I'm trying to say doesn't mean just buy any ol thing. Lowest basement cost, a part made by ANYONE... Hmmm...

I don't know where you are in the world but I searched on eBay and found OE ($12) CSPS's that came off Jaguar XK's that were being parted out. Me, I would trust this. Yes, they are old, have miles on them, etc and,,, but for a cam sensor I personally would have ZERO problem throwing one in my car. If, and it's an if, it went bad, I would get a code and still be able to do 70mph down the road until I replaced it again.

I wouldn't do this with say a coolant reservoir level sensor,,, or coolant reservoir for that matter. Or an O2 sensor, or,,,, well it's hard to say.

For me,,, searching for parts the world over, and slowly learning good sources and makers of quality parts, and making the decisions, it a great part of the fun of these soon to be classic cars. That's just me.

Check out Jaguar XK8 1997 to 2006 Left Hand Cam Position Sensor LRA1646DB on eBay!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/22498405913...is&media=EMAIL

 

If oil seepage is the issue, you're likely not looking at the cam position sensors in the rear of the heads but the Variable Valve Timing solenoid valves in the top of the valve covers in front. The seals are cheap and easy to replace. If you don't have the dreaded P1385 or P1396 error codes, do not even think about replacing the sensors or solenoids.

 

Good point...
Ok, wait. What are we talking about here, OP?

 

lol. Mine are leaking oil too. How do these come out? Do you beed to remove the vale covers?

 

Carefully pry each individual seal up and remove from the cover. Angled pry tool better than a than a flat bit screwdriver. Careful, the cover is plastic and will not support too much pry effort. Of course you should disconnect each solenoid prior to starting removal. We used some paste silicone grease to lube each seal prior to install. Press the seal carefully into cover and reconnect wires, you are finished.

 

Gaskets at the VVT solinoid(s) at the front of the cam covers OR,,, are we talking "seepage" at the cam position sensor(s) on the back inner corner of the heads??? 2 different things...

I thought this thread was discussing cam position sensors...