I have a 98 windstar with the 3.8 93,000 miles. I have a steady cel on, and had the codes read at autozone. I had p0340 camshaft position sensor, p1537, p1538 IMRC open front and back. With the help of this site I was able determine the front imrc needs replacing. I pulled and plugged the vacuum lines independently, and found when I pulled and plugged the front the back IMRC worked. When I pulled and plugged the back the front did nothing. I verified the plunger does stroke. The conclusion is the front one has a bad diaphram. I am resigned to pay the dealer price, unless someone knows of a cheaper source. Here is the question, the haines manual says I need to take the air intake plenumn off to change this. From what I can see i should not have to, am I missing something?

Now on to the cps, I was thinking that I would do a quick sensor change until I read a few posts mentioning that if the p0340 is accompanied by a squeal, the problem might have something to do with the shaft that drives the sensor. Of course I had a squeal show up about the same time as the cel came on. I thought it was the belt, so I changed it even though it did not look too bad. I cleared the p0340, but it comes right back, but with out the squealing. Maybe the squealing was the belt after all. So how do I tell if just need the sensor, or if I have problem with the shaft?

For the first, yes you will have to pull the plenum, but it's an easy job. Try AutoPartsGiant.com, I've had good luck finding Ford parts there.

Can't really help you and the second... I'd fix the IMRC thing first, just to be sure the second problem isn't being caused by the first, thenI'd go for the sensor... just because it doesn't squeek doesn't mean it isn't bad. Did I have enough contractions there? :)

Thanks I will look at that site.

I found the cps grenaded it self and took the top of the shaft with it. The part that passes through the magnetic field is all mangled. More fun for me!

update: I needed a new synchronizer (thats the part the cps is attached to) ,and the IMRC. Parts local total $395. Fivestarford.com $235. Guess which one I did.

good luck ai ha to hav mine jut replaced and i wouldn;t do it.. i had my brother in law o it at his school and i paid for parts $167.99 and it wa done.. he had to borrow a alignment tool from a friend at a dealer. which is why i didn;t tackle it.

Ford dealership sells the CPsynchro for 149.99

I bought the OTC alingment tool online for $20. My local guys wanted $135 for the syncro, 5 star was $85. My local guys wanted $260 for the imrc, 5 star was $150