How do you change the camshaft sensor on a Vectra 1.8 16v r reg?

Answer 1

Remove the ignition cable cover from top of engine,then detach the wiring plug from the sensor. Remove the front cambelt cover and you can see the single bolt which holds the sensor in place. Undo this and pull the sensor out upwards.Refit in reverse order,do not overtighten the sensor bolt.(torque 6Nm)


That was a great help. I just completed this procedure myself as an absolute novice but for a 2001 Vectra 2.2 l the procedure is slightly more involved. The cam sensor (Part no 90458252 made by Siemens) can be replaced as above but in order to remove the cambelt cover you need to detach the sub frame that hold up the engine.

Place a jack underneath the engine sump with a block of wood and jack up the engine several turns (Don't lift the entire car!). This will remove the pressure off the sub frame.

The sub frame is bolted with 3 bolts to the engine through the Cambelt cover. Remove these bolts. Take it slowly and adjust the jack if pressure on the bolts is high.

The cambelt cover itself is attached by two bolds as far as I can see and a clip on the top. Remove these. This will allow you to pull back the cambelt cover far enough to access a small bolt that holds the cam sensor in place.

Undo this bolt. Now the cam sensor can be pulled up from the top. Once the cam sensor is removed you can undo the wiring. This is different from the above description because the plug is help in place by a spring clip. Also make sure to attach the plug and locking clip before you insert the cam sensor.