1999 Suburban Turned Dist P1345

danielcwebb · March 18, 2009

As the title says, I have a 1999 Suburban with the 5.7 and 4WD. I was replacing the ignition wires, and as I was pulling one of them off, the distributor spun. I tried to realign it as best I could, but apparently not good enough. I now have a MIL with Code P1345 "Cam Sensor/Crank Sensor Relationship Error". Considering what had happened immediately prior to getting the DTC, I am assuming the problem is the alignment of the distrubutor. My question is how do I go about setting it back in the proper place? Is this something I can do with my scan tool, or is this a dealer only problem? If it's a dealer item, any idea of the cost? Funds are tight right now, and I need to get the truck inspected. It will fail with the MIL on.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Draenor · March 18, 2009

The distrubutor spun? It can't just spin. Is the cap on correctly, wires going where they are supposed to go?

pennzoil29 · March 18, 2009

The distrubutor spun? It can't just spin. Is the cap on correctly, wires going where they are supposed to go?

Unless you loosen the bolt. This doesn't make much sense. Like John say's, check all of your wiring again.

L29er · March 18, 2009

If you do need to re-align the distributor you need a scanner that can read the cam retard, it needs to be set to 0 +/- 2 degrees to cancel the code.

danielcwebb · March 18, 2009

I am assuming it spun. I never loosened the retaining bolt, but if I grab the top of the cap where the wires plug in, it takes some force but I can rotate it 5-10 degrees in either direction. I am certain the wiring is correct. I replaced one at a time, and double checked it when I was done. The cap appears to be installed correctly. I will double check when I get home. Is it possible for just the cap to turn? If so, would that be enough to throw the code?

pennzoil29 · March 18, 2009

I am assuming it spun. I never loosened the retaining bolt, but if I grab the top of the cap where the wires plug in, it takes some force but I can rotate it 5-10 degrees in either direction. I am certain the wiring is correct. I replaced one at a time, and double checked it when I was done. The cap appears to be installed correctly. I will double check when I get home. Is it possible for just the cap to turn? If so, would that be enough to throw the code?

Only if you don't have the screw's in it, or it's cracked. I just went out and looked at mine, and tried to move it, and it won't budge. Are you sure the cap is not cracked, and tightened? Did you plug the camsensor back in? I've never seen a disributor move without loosening the retaining bolt.

danielcwebb · March 18, 2009

I didn't think it was possible either, but this has me stumped. I guess I'll have to pull it apart so I can get a closer look at what is happening. Unfortunatley it's at home right now and I'm at work.

txab · March 18, 2009

I am assuming it spun. I never loosened the retaining bolt, but if I grab the top of the cap where the wires plug in, it takes some force but I can rotate it 5-10 degrees in either direction. I am certain the wiring is correct. I replaced one at a time, and double checked it when I was done. The cap appears to be installed correctly. I will double check when I get home. Is it possible for just the cap to turn? If so, would that be enough to throw the code?

Only if you don't have the screw's in it, or it's cracked. I just went out and looked at mine, and tried to move it, and it won't budge. Are you sure the cap is not cracked, and tightened? Did you plug the camsensor back in? I've never seen a disributor move without loosening the retaining bolt.

Unless the bolt wasn't proper tightened in the past. As stated if you've moved the distrib. then you'll need the equip to read the timing so you can reset it, then properly tighten the bolt.

You might try cleaning around the distrib. base where it meets the block. Look for an alignment mark that someone may have put on it previously. It may or may not be correct and it is a longshot. I've seen them on many Fords because of having to swing the the distrib aound ao you can change out the crappy ignition modules on the side of the distrib. I wouldn't hold out much hope though.

danielcwebb · March 20, 2009

i spent some more time with this problem yesterday. it looks like the retaining bolt is loose, because i can turn the entire distributor by hand. i didn't see any alignment marks so i guess i'm out of luck there. my scanner does not read cam retard. does anyone know if the ones that autozone lends out can perform this function?