I just had the Nissan recall for my Crankshaft and two Camshaft sensors performed. All I can say is that I am amazed by the difference in the overall feel of the engine since I've gotten the car back.

I have a 6spd 2K2 with just over 50K. I bought the car in 11/01.

Up until now, I've had most of the drive train TSB's performed (new MAF, flash ECM, clutch howl, etc.) with the exception of the TSB for the VVT control noise at startup. Despite these facts, the engine always had a rough idle and (in hindsight) was also a little lumpy/rough through the rpm range.

Since I've gotten my car back from the dealer (about 3 days), the engine has been running smoother than ever (even compared to new!). Specifically, the vibration in the steering wheel at idle is virtually gone. The engine "feels" smoother through the entire RPM range. Most interesting of all is that now when I'm cruising on the highway, it feels as if the car has less drag. If I take my foot off the gas, it now feels as if the the car decelarating at a slower rate than before - it's as if there is less drive-train drag. I've also observed that the throttle response is much smoother - in the past I had sometimes experienced a jerkiness as the throttle engaged, my impression is that this issue seems to be largely, if not completely, resolved.

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that the faulty sensors may have had an impact on engine timing (base timing advance and/or intake camshaft timing). With the new sensors installed, I suspect that the engine is running much better and may be producing more power more easily. I have yet to determine if my fuel economy has changed, but if it has, that could be the ultimate test of the theory.

I highly recommend replacement of these sensors for anyone in doubt about it.

Andy

 

I had that TSB done a couple weeks ago....I didn't notice any difference in mine. Maybe they slowly go bad? But I thought either a sensor worked or it didn't. I'm still glad I had it done, though..

 

Yes, I've read that some people believe that, but the story I heard had to do with "cold" solder joints on the sensor. I suspect that a cold solder joint could give sporadic or intermittent readings which might impact timing? At some point, it might get bad enough that no reading was obtained and that's when the engine won't start. To be honest, I'm not too certain about the sensor operation since I haven't tested it. What I do know is that the engine absolutely feels different now compared to when I brought it in to the dealer.

 

when i had mine done, there was no difference after. got it done around 23000 miles... at 27000 now, still runs the same as always. very strong.

just switched over to premium gas again tho after not being able to afford it over the winter (its a college thing). I can say i feel a difference on the good gas. Sorry to hijack the thread

 

Does this TSB affect 03's at all?

 

Sure Does. Call your local dealer and bring it in.

 

Cold solder joints will cause this exact type of problem with just about any pickup type sensors. A joint is considered "cold soldered" when the two wires or contact points you are trying to connect do not actually connect to each other physically (the solder/flux is actually acting as a circuit bridge between the two actual conductors). This can cause a serious signal degredation which could worsen over time (or it could be instantaneously bad).

Say you have a signal coming from the cam sensor (it's at 100% strength), and it passes through an inferior conductor (solder instead of thr copper wiring, which reduces the signal from the cam sensor to 90% or so). This means that the wire receiving the signal only sees 90% of the signal instead of the full 100%, and the ECU governs accordingly. This is a vastly simplified process, but it serves the point I am attempting to make...

 

I had a bad spark knock prior to the crank/cam sensor recall and after the recall was done, the spark knock went away! Car felt smoother and revved better thru the gears.

 

Maximadave:

Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure I haven't heard that "spark knock" either. I used to always get it at around 4000 rpm's when the intake runner switch-over occurred. The engine feels MUCH smoother through the RPM band.

 

I got mine done in Jan. no problems before or after sensor swap, from what I hear it was mainly for 02 Max. and Alt. but they recalled the 03 to make sure they got them all.