How to remove OPDA connector?

[Chippy]

I am really struggling to remove the sensor from the OPDA. I removed the small bolt but it’s like the sensor is fused to the stock OPDA. So I figured okay, I’ll just remove the connector on the other end and deal with that once I remove the OPDA.

However… I can not for the life of me get this connector off. Which way am I supposed to push the red tab? It doesn’t slide in either direction. Even tried jamming a screwdriver in it.

Any advice is appreciated

 

[JKP]

Soak it with WD-40, then try sliding the red tab. I don't remember which way it goes, but it locks the connector.

 

[Chippy]

It worked! Thanks. However, the sensor is really stuck to the OPDA. Any tricks to getting it off? On every YouTube video it just pulls right out…

 

[JKP]

I would just try the WD40 on it as well, if that doesn't get it, move up to something like Liquid Wrench, etc.

 

[Chippy]

Welp. I had to use liquid wrench and a pry bar and got it off. Sadly the part that the bolt goes into went flying off in the process.

Guess the best option is to JB weld/epoxy it back on and run it? From what I understand the OEM sensor is much better than the crown one.

 

[JKP]

Worth a try.

I've had a Dorman OPDA/sensor in mine for 170K mi.

 

[Chippy]

Okay another problem? I spun the motor by hand to line up the holes and get it to top dead center. Then inserted the shipping pin into the old unit and removed it. Then I put the shipping pin into the new unit and popped it in, however, the whole unit is not in the same orientation it used to be. Is this a problem? The sensor was facing about 45 degrees counter clockwise. I’ve tried removing it and rotating it but when it drops in, it settles in this spot.

Red line is where the sensor used to sit

 

[JKP]

It is not a problem, the only thing that matters is the engine is at TDC and the unit is pinned when it's put in.

If you want it to point where it used to, you have to adjust the oil pump slot before inserting the new one with a long screwdriver. The old one turns the oil pump as you pull it out. IIRC, you need to put the slot at 11 o'clock before dropping the new one in.

 

[Chippy]

It is not a problem, the only thing that matters is the engine is at TDC and the unit is pinned when it's put in.

If you want it to point where it used to, you have to adjust the oil pump slot before inserting the new one with a long screwdriver. The old one turns the oil pump as you pull it out. IIRC, you need to put the slot at 11 o'clock before dropping the new one in.

You’ve been super helpful haha. I read through some of your replies on the other OPDA threads and it was a huge help! Happy to say I got it all back together and my 05 started right up and is running great!

Thanks!

 

[Chippy]

It is not a problem, the only thing that matters is the engine is at TDC and the unit is pinned when it's put in.

If you want it to point where it used to, you have to adjust the oil pump slot before inserting the new one with a long screwdriver. The old one turns the oil pump as you pull it out. IIRC, you need to put the slot at 11 o'clock before dropping the new one in.

Since you helped me out with this before… I took it out for the first outing since swapping the OPDA. Jeep runs great but a few mins into my drive I got a CEL with P0016. Zero other symptoms.

Could this be a sensor issue or something deeper? Some people say to rotate the OPDA housing counter clockwise slightly and it went away for them

 

[JKP]

Cam/Crank sensor mismatch. The cam sensor misalignment with the crank is out of the allowable tolerance. It will most likely be in limp mode too, and you can't exceed 2500 RPM or so.

If you don't have a code reader that will read the alignment, you will have to try trial and error of slighlty turning the OPDA one way or the other.

If you didn't get the OPDA hold down bolt tight, the OPDA will rotate. You can remove the OPDA cover, rotate the crank until the OPDA alignment holes are in line, then verify the crank pulley notch is aligned with the pointer as well.

 

[Chippy]

Cam/Crank sensor mismatch. The cam sensor misalignment with the crank is out of the allowable tolerance. It will most likely be in limp mode too, and you can't exceed 2500 RPM or so.

If you don't have a code reader that will read the alignment, you will have to try trial and error of slighlty turning the OPDA one way or the other.

If you didn't get the OPDA hold down bolt tight, the OPDA will rotate. You can remove the OPDA cover, rotate the crank until the OPDA alignment holes are in line, then verify the crank pulley notch is aligned with the pointer as well.

It drives perfectly. Had it out on the highway and everything. Just have the CEL.

I loosened the bolt holding the OPDA to the block and rotated it counter clockwise maybe 1/4 of an inch. Tried starting up again and it barely started, and ran TERRIBLE. Was struggling to stay running.

Loosened it again and rotated it back to where it originally was, and now it runs fine again, just with a CEL. Is there a sweet spot I have to find? The service manual states the 4 o clock position. Mine is more at 5

 

[JKP]

Where the OPDA points doesn't matter. It's the alignment between the cam and crank sensors that matter.

Turn the OPDA the other direction slightly. You have to align the cam/crank sensors within a tolerance to get rid of the CEL. Without a code reader that will tell you the difference, it's trial and error.

 

[Chippy]

Update if anyone cares or finds this thread in the future...

I ended up buying a Thinkdiag2 and plugged it in to the OBD port to view the cam/crank difference and the cam crank learned value, Cam crank learned was 5.90 and cam/crank difference was around -10. I loosened the bolt holding down the OPDA and rotated it clockwise until cam/crank difference was .02.

Then did a relearn using the tool and now the learned value matches the difference which is now almost zeroed out.

CEL is gone, Jeep is running great. Been a huge learning experience so far.