Ford 7.3 PSD voluntary recall for Cam Position Sensor

[tom91ita]

after reading all the horror stories of these randomly failing, i was going to buy a spare for the glovebox.

but now......

http://www.ford.com/dynamic/metatags/artic...y-safety-recall

[Greg Amy]

They're only $15, and are easy to replace on the road. Ford is no doubt going to replace them with the same $15 part (not the better $150 part) so I expect it'll fail again some time in the future.

Next time you're buying parts, grab one for the glovebox. - GA

[JohnRW]

Next time you're buying parts, grab one for the glovebox. - GA
[/b]

And leave a 1/4" drive ratchet, 10mm socket and 3-5" long 1/4" extension in there, too.

You never know when you're going to need it.

[DavidM]

Yup. I'd keep one in the glove box. Won't help you when it goes out, though. Whoever designed the system to shut down, instead of going into a limp mode, when the CPS signal dies ought to be shot. Mine cut out for a few seconds while I was towing the trailer. Not a fun sensation. I've never seem 'em for $15, though. They used to be around $90, but you could get them on Ebay for $50.

David

[Greg Amy]

David, according to resident PowerStroke expert Jeremy Billiel, there's two versions: the "cheap" one for ~$15 (http://tinyurl.com/3yjuyv) and a better "blue" one for ~$150. I bought one of the former two weeks ago (yep, right before the recall comes out...) - GA

[tom91ita]

i think i will ask for the "old" one and keep it as my spare....

[DaveITB1]

How long due they usually last before going kaput?

I am looking at buying a friend's '02 F350. I guess I'd better trace his VIN.

[tom91ita]

i am guessing it is relatively random since it is an electrical component.

[zracre]

they will inspect it and replace as neccesary. this means if it was replaced already they will pull it in, see its ok, then give you an estimate for $2500 for ball joints brakes seals service and anything else they can try...

[JohnRW]

Go here: http://www.powerstrokeshop.com/

...and search for this part number: F4TZ12K073C

$15.29 ! Voila !

You generally get plenty of warning when they start to fail. Engine will just die, might happen once a month, then once a week, then once a day, then every hour, then.....you're walking.

[tom91ita]

it looks like there is a difference in the year as follows:

1997 + looks like F7TZ12K073B and is gray per the pic:

http://catalog.powerstrokeshop.com/partloc...&catalogid=3660

1994-96 looks like F4TZ12K073C

http://catalog.powerstrokeshop.com/partloc...lts&searchAll=1

only adding this since others may see this and assume they are all the same.

i still plan to drop the $25 to keep a spare.

[dropkick317]

David, according to resident PowerStroke expert Jeremy Billiel, there's two versions: the "cheap" one for ~$15 (http://tinyurl.com/3yjuyv) and a better "blue" one for ~$150. I bought one of the former two weeks ago (yep, right before the recall comes out...) - GA
[/b]

I don't think this is true. Six months ago or so Ford started selling the sensor (somewhat under the radar) for cheap. This was to give the dealer time to rotate their stock. As soon as the "new" cheaper sensors started coming in I grab one and it was identical to the "older" more expensive sensor. The only difference I noticed was Ford is using Motorcraft packaging for the "new" recall sensor. Actually, I'm quite surprised you can still buy one for $150.00.

I kinda saw this coming a while ago. normally when Ford drops the price of a part and the parts depots start to stock 60,000-80,000 of the same part it means a recall is coming.

And to answer the question, I would still keep one in the glove box.