engine

Camshaft Position Sensor

for 2019 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · RWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.2 h

Tools

Steps

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the camshaft position sensor on the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine in 2015-2020 Ford F-150 trucks.

Warnings

⚠Allow engine to cool completely before beginning work. The camshaft position sensor is located near hot engine components.

⚠Disconnecting the battery will erase radio presets and may require relearning procedures for idle and transmission shift points.

ℹ️The 3.5L EcoBoost has multiple camshaft position sensors. This procedure addresses the intake camshaft position sensor on the right bank (passenger side).

Tools required

10mm socket and ratchetEssential

Torque wrench (5-50 Nm range)Essential

Small flathead screwdriver or trim tool

Electrical contact cleaner

Shop towels or ragsEssential

Flashlight or work lightEssential

Extension set (3" and 6")Essential

Parts

Camshaft Position Sensor × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification or Motorcraft DY1190
O-ring seal for camshaft position sensor × 1 — Usually included with sensor

Preparation

Ensure engine is completely cool to the touch
Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Open hood and secure with prop rod
Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 2 minutes for system capacitors to discharge
Locate the camshaft position sensor on the right valve cover toward the front of the engine

Procedure

1
Remove engine cover
Lift the plastic engine cover straight up to disengage the mounting grommets. The cover is typically held by 4 rubber grommets and does not require tools to remove. Set the cover aside in a clean area.
2
Locate the camshaft position sensor
On the right (passenger side) valve cover, locate the camshaft position sensor near the front of the engine. It is a cylindrical sensor with a single electrical connector on top. The sensor is inserted into the valve cover and secured with one bolt.
3
Disconnect electrical connector
Press the release tab on the electrical connector and pull straight away from the sensor. You may need to gently rock the connector side-to-side while pulling. Inspect the connector terminals for corrosion or damage.
4
Remove sensor mounting bolt
Using a 10mm socket with a short extension, remove the single bolt securing the camshaft position sensor to the valve cover. Keep the bolt in a safe location for reinstallation.
5
Extract the sensor
Grasp the sensor body firmly and pull straight out from the valve cover. The sensor may require slight twisting motion to break the o-ring seal. Do not pry against the valve cover as this may cause damage.
⚠If the sensor is stuck, avoid excessive force. Apply light penetrating oil around the base and wait 10 minutes before attempting removal again.
6
Inspect sensor bore and clean area
Once the old sensor is removed, inspect the bore in the valve cover for debris or oil residue. Clean the mounting surface on the valve cover with a shop towel. Check that the old o-ring came out with the sensor and did not remain in the bore.
7
Prepare new sensor
Remove the new camshaft position sensor from packaging. Verify that a new o-ring is installed on the sensor body. Lightly lubricate the o-ring with clean engine oil to aid installation and prevent tearing.
8
Install new sensor
Carefully insert the new camshaft position sensor into the valve cover bore, ensuring it is fully seated. The sensor should slide in smoothly without binding. Align the mounting hole with the threaded hole in the valve cover.
9
Install and torque mounting bolt
Thread the mounting bolt by hand to ensure proper alignment, then tighten to specification using a torque wrench. Do not overtighten as this may crack the sensor housing or strip the aluminum threads in the valve cover.
⚠Overtightening the sensor bolt can damage the sensor housing or valve cover threads. Always use a torque wrench.
Torque spec
Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
10
Reconnect electrical connector
Push the electrical connector firmly onto the sensor until you hear and feel a distinct click indicating it is fully seated. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is locked in place.
11
Reinstall engine cover and reconnect battery
Align the engine cover mounting posts with the grommets on the engine and press down firmly until seated. Reconnect the negative battery cable and tighten the terminal clamp securely.

Reassembly

Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
Verify engine cover is properly seated on all mounting grommets
Double-check that no tools or rags were left in the engine bay

Verification

Turn ignition to ON position (do not start engine) and verify that no warning lights remain illuminated on the instrument cluster
Use an OBD-II scanner to check for any camshaft position sensor codes and clear any stored codes from the previous sensor failure
Start the engine and verify smooth idle with no rough running or misfires
Allow engine to reach operating temperature and confirm no Check Engine Light appears
Test drive the vehicle to verify normal acceleration and no hesitation or performance issues