Topic: Here today, gone tomorrow - Camshaft Position Actuator CEL - PROBLEM FOUND

[TomatoSoup]

A couple of days ago as I was driving around at night in the 70 degree evening we had, my UltraGauge started popping up a 'Pending Trouble Code' warning.  After about 10 more minutes driving a full-on code arrived and the CEL lit up.  Cr*p!  So when I arrived at where I was going to, I read the code... P-2090, and cleared the CEL.  Got back to the car and within a minute or two of starting, the same CEL popped up again.  I cleared it yet again but it returned again.

So I got home, checked the code to find it refers to "Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid Control Circuit Low Voltage (Short to Ground)".  I searched the three main forums, couldn't find any occurrence of this code/problem. Dealer warranty time, thinks I.

Last night, took the car out open-topping again (colder night this time, high 40's).  I reset the trouble code before I started the engine, and the darn thing never came back! WTF? I drove hard, I drove soft, still no reappearance.

So... now I'm on tenterhooks wondering if it was 'just one of those things', or there's a wiring or other issue that's going to rear it's ugly head at any moment.  <sigh>
 

[Gentleman Jack]

Check the plug of that sensor for fitment.  Perhaps a good wiggle is in order?

[Arabas]

Sorry TS, no suggestions from my side, but the dealers seems like a good way to go if u are under warranty.
but first the Cel has to light up again and u shouldn't clear it.
take it in with the CEL on

[TomatoSoup]

Check the plug of that sensor for fitment.  Perhaps a good wiggle is in order?

Maybe. But the description says "Short to Ground", which doesn't imply intermittent contact.

Sorry TS, no suggestions from my side, but the dealers seems like a good way to go if u are under warranty.
but first the Cel has to light up again and u shouldn't clear it.
take it in with the CEL on

Yeah, I know - just hoping it doesn't come back at this point.  Going to the dealer for anything is just such a pain.

Thanks guys, for your responses and moral support

[Sol Asylum]

I think GJ was meaning wiggle the connector as a way to test it's condition.  It is possible to have a connector that goes bad and shorts to ground internally.  Then again it was GJ and who knows what he may have meant.

[TomatoSoup]

Well - out at lunch and got another 'pending' code.  CR*P! 

I'll try the wiggle.  MAYBE it'll help.

[Critterman]

There have been a couple of those go bad, I think ChuckDoc had one go bad on him.

[TomatoSoup]

So... I should never've doubted SirWhiskey (kind-of)

I went out to jiggle everything I could.  Checked the camshaft position sensor plugs, but was having difficulty getting at them due to my DDM Engine Bay Brace.  So I pulled the wires around trying to get to the connector clips and noticed the glint of bare wire.  Jeez.  I had had the wires routed over the top of the connectors and under the DDM brace.  One wire had been touching the brace and worn through the insulation, grounding against the metal of the cross bar.  AT least the CEL code had full "truth in advertising"!  See the red circled wire in the photo:

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... and here's one further away so you can get an better idea of the area:

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So, all of those of you with the DDM brace who are NOT idiots like me, probably routed your wires around the side of the connectors, away from the brace.  All others should check before you might happen upon this problem <slaps forehead>

[Critterman]

P-2090,  So I got home, checked the code to find it refers to "Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid Control Circuit Low Voltage (Short to Ground)".

Don't you just hate when the electronics  you around like that?

[LatinVenom]

Not to be a smart you know what, but the LVKPFCB does not have this issue.
I think Dave at DDM should see this, incase they want to look more closely at the design and maybe make some kind of upgrade.

[Arabas]

glad you nailed it TS.
pls let us know if fixing the insulation eliminates the problem.
hope it's as simple as that!!

[Rogue]

It's good to know you solved the problem. Thanks for sharing the solution with us.

[TomatoSoup]

Not to be a smart you know what, but the LVKPFCB does not have this issue.
I think Dave at DDM should see this, incase they want to look more closely at the design and maybe make some kind of upgrade.

No, this isn't a design issue, in fact there's already a cutout in DDM's brace to clear the area of the sensor connectors.  It's purely "operator error".

Here's a photo of the 'correct' way to route the wires, around the side (NOT over the top!)  I did, however, add a short strip of door-edge guard from some I had laying aound, in the cutout I mentioned above, "just in case"

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[Sly Bob]

When I installed my DDM coil cover I had to reroute the wires as well to prevent chafing. Don't have the cross brace though.

[elff]

Wow

Good troubleshooting and fix.  

[Sol Asylum]

Don't tell GJ, this sort of thing will go right to his head.

[LatinVenom]

The edge guard is a good idea.

[Gentleman Jack]

So... I should never've doubted SirWhiskey (kind-of)

TS,
Just don't let it happen again.... 

GJ