Friend bought a '99 F350 7.3 PSD, 173K miles. Truck looks great, well taken care of.

We had breakfast and we talked about the truck in general. I mentioned the CPS (Cam position sensor) and that some have had trouble with them. Seems the truck will just stop running. Didn't what to alarm him just tell him about the possibility and make sure he was aware of it.

Well, on day 3 the motor quit. Turns out to be the CPS.

My question: Is there something he can do to prevent the CPS from going bad? If so, what? Is he stuck with just buying new ones every time he has a problem?

If replacement is the only answer, where should he buy from? The seller told him the dealer would charge $400 to put in a new one. That's a lot of money. Can he replace a CPS himself?

Thanks in advance for the advice. Really appreciate the help you guys always give.

Jim

 

I have heard a CPS can be put in on the side of the road with just hand tools. Also, seems you can buy them from an International dealer for like $100 or something? A LOT cheaper than the dealer. Its really not a big deal, just a common problem. I dont think there is any upgraded one to put in. A lot of guys carry a spare in the glove box in case they need it while on the road.

Eric

 

My dad just replaced his, it didn't leave him stranded, but it could have. He said it was and easy job from under the truck with basic tools. My brother found a new one for him off of ebay for around $60. He put the old one in his glove box since it still worked while on the truck just in case I guess.

 

CPS at Ford, $160.00 dollars, A CPS at International, $90.00, 15 minutes lying on your back in your driveway replacing the CPS and not paying $400 bucks, pricless. In other words, so easy a caveman can do it.

 

Will pass on the information to him, thanks.

 

Funny, you get the straight answers here without attitude..

 

That's why I didn't ask 'em over at the diesel stop. Besides, over there they don't have issues with the CPS.

 

CPS is a $90 part (from IH) & can be replaced in 10 minites with a 10mm box wrench. Really is the only unreliable part in a 7.3 PSD. Many keep a spare in the glove box. I only had to replace mine once @ 110K miles or so. Not really that big of a deal.

 

www.fordtrucks.com

Anyone that drives a ford knows to carry basic (and more) tools with them.

 

Been told it's a hall effect sensor and really doesnt belong in a vibration environment.

I carried one in my glovebox and it bailed me out once.....

 

He's got a pretty cool truck and we're going to change the CPS out on Saturday, kinda for practice. He and his boys are big dirt bike riders and really need a reliable truck. Hopefully a new part will help for awhile.

Thanks again for the support.

 

I think just about anyone with an older vehicle probably carries a few tools with them, i do.

 

That's funny - all abs brakes have abs sensors right on the hub. Hope they can put up with the vibration.

 

It's really not that bad of a site & I've learned a bunch from it. Some guy's got overly protective of the 6.0, but in general the site is OK.