Chevrolet
Malibu Camshaft Position Sensors Replacement Guide
How to change the camshaft position
sensors on the Ecotec 1.5L turbo I4 engine in a 2016 to 2023 Chevy Malibu.
2020 Malibu LT |
Ecotec LFV 1.5L Turbo |
Torx Bolt - Front Right |
This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the ninth
generation 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 GM Chevrolet
Malibu with the Ecotec LFV 1.5L turbocharged I4 engine in changing a failing
or faulty camshaft position sensor (also known as the acronym "CMP" or
sometimes "CPS"). (The procedure should be the same or very similar for the 2.0L and 1.8L engines.) The 9th generation Malibu was supposed to undergo a "facelift" in 2022 or 2023 and the refreshed vehicle may have continued being produced into the 2024 and 2025 model years but it will now apparently be discontinued after the 2023 model year. Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Holden such as the Impala, Corvette, Bolt, Sonic, Spark, Express, Trax, TrailBlazer, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado, Cruze, Volt, Camaro, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, LaCrosse, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CT4, CT5, CT6 and Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. Some of the symptoms of a bad camshaft position sensor include rough idling, reduced fuel economy (lower MPG), stalling, slow acceleration, stumbling, reduced power, vibrations, rough starting, erratic idle and a CEL / SES (check engine light, service engine soon) indicator warning light on the gauge cluster. If you have an OBDII scan tool (also known as an OBD2 scanner), you may see a camshaft position sensor related DTC (diagnostic trouble code) such as P0340, P0341, P0342, P0343 and P0344. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) camshaft position sensor part number is ACDelco 12636947. The tools needed to complete this procedure include a Torx T30 star bit screwdriver, a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. The first two steps are to open the hood and then locate the black metal Torx bolt on the front right (driver side) corner of the plastic engine cover. |
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Loosen Counterclockwise |
Single Bolt Removed |
Twist Off Oil Fill Cap |
Loosen the bolt by
turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the Torx T-30 screwdriver. Set the bolt aside in a safe place. Twist off the oil fill cap by rotating it in the counterclockwise direction. Set the oil fill cap aside in a safe place. |
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Oil Fill Cap Removed |
Lift Off Plastic Cover |
Plastic Cover Removed |
Pull off the plastic engine cover and set it aside. | ||
Foam Rubber Insulation |
Rubber Cover Removed |
Valve Cover Exposed |
Lift the foam
rubber noise reducing cover off the the top of the valve cover. To help prevent from having foreign objects or debris fall down in to the engine, stuff a small towel into the oil fill hole. |
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Front CMP Location |
Rear Sensor Location |
Pointing To Rear Sensor |
There are two
camshaft position sensors on the top of the Ecotec LFV 1.5L turbocharged I4
engine. One sensor is located on the front right (driver side) corner of the valve cover. The other sensor is located on the rear right (driver side) of the valve cover below the black plastic pipe connected to the turbocharger. |
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Tan Plastic Power Plug |
Slide Out Red Lock Tab |
Push In Release Button |
For this DIY guide,
I'll be removing and replacing the front camshaft position sensor.
Locate the tan / burnt orange plastic electrical connector on the sensor. Gently slide out the red lock tab up and away from the sensor. Then push in the release button on the electrical connector and pull it off the sensor. |
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Connector Detached |
Loosen Counterclockwise |
Single Bolt Removed |
Loosen the single
silver metal bolt that secures the sensor to the valve cover by turning it
in the counterclockwise direction with a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive
ratchet. Spin out the bolt the last few turns with your fingers to prevent it from falling down into the engine bay and becoming lost. Set the bolt aside in a safe place. |
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Gently Remove Old Sensor |
OEM Sensor Part Number |
Empty Sensor Port |
Gently rotate the
old sensor back and forth a few times to loosen it from the valve cover.
Pull the sensor straight out of the opening. The original sensor was marked as part number ACDelco 12636947. |
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Install New Sensor |
Line Up Bolt Holes |
Tighten Bolt Clockwise |
Carefully install
the new sensor into the port. Line up the bolt hole in the new sensor with the corresponding bolt hole in the valve cover. Spin in the bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded. Tighten the bolt in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet. Try to avoid over tightening the bolt to prevent from cracking the plastic sensor housing. |
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Line Up Power Plug |
Push Electrical Connector |
Slide In Red Lock Tab |
Push the electrical
connector into the socket on the new sensor. You should feel or hear the power plug "click" securely into place. Slide the red lock tab in towards the sensor to secure the electrical connector in place. |
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New Sensor Installed |
Check Rear Sensor Plug |
Connector Secured |
Double check that
the bolt is snug and the electrical connector is securely attached. If you'd like to replace the second sensor on the rear of the valve cover, view the pictures above to see its location. |
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Replace Rubber Cover |
Replace Plastic Cover |
Tighten Torx Screw |
Lower the foam
rubber noise reduction cover over the top of the engine. Replace the plastic engine cover. Tighten the Torx T-30 bolt by turning it in the clockwise direction until it is snug. |
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Replace Oil Fill Cap |
Sensor Change Complete |
Start Engine - Test Sensor |
Replace the oil
fill cap by twisting it on in the clockwise direction until it is snug. If you have an OBDII scanner, clear any camshaft position sensor related diagnostic trouble codes. To test the new sensor(s), start the engine and see if it idles smoothly. If so, take the car for a short test drive. Be sure to write down the sensor change in your car's service records. Please check out all of the
2016-2023 GM Chevrolet Malibu DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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