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Do I need to index distributor if I'm only changing the camshaft sensor?

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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 12:47 AM
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Year: 1987
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Default Do I need to index distributor if I'm only changing the camshaft sensor?

Title says it all, if I'm going in to replace the camshaft sensor on my 87XJ, do I need to index the distributor or can i mark the position of the rotor and put back as it was?
Thanks!
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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 08:11 AM
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Yes. Sensor is underneath the flanges that mount the rotor. You need to remove and disassemble the distributor. When I did my '88, I just replaced the entire distributor.

If you swap only the sensor (keep old distributor) yes, you can mark the block/housing and housing/rotor as long as you don't crank the engine. If you swap distributors, you'll need to do the indexing per Cruiser54's site. I "sacrificed" my old cap by cutting out the window. If you buy a new distributor don't forget to cut the tab off.

https://cruiser54.com/?p=68

From my '88.





Last edited by Saudade; Apr 14, 2026 at 08:15 AM. Reason: typo
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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Saudade
Yes. Sensor is underneath the flanges that mount the rotor. You need to remove and disassemble the distributor. When I did my '88, I just replaced the entire distributor.

If you swap only the sensor (keep old distributor) yes, you can mark the block/housing and housing/rotor as long as you don't crank the engine. If you swap distributors, you'll need to do the indexing per Cruiser54's site. I "sacrificed" my old cap by cutting out the window. If you buy a new distributor don't forget to cut the tab off.

https://cruiser54.com/?p=68

From my '88.
Thank you. Feels like I'm chasing my tail with the crank no start issue I'm having. Various people have told me to try the camshaft sensor. I want to eventually replace the distributor but not at this moment. Thank you!
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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 08:56 AM
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Technically, Renix doesn't need the sensor`s signal (aka Sync Signal Generator) to start. It tells the ECU when #1 or #6 is on Exhaust and about to start Intake. The crankshaft sensor tells the ECU when #1 and #6 is at TDC Together, the ECU can determine the correct firing order. If the ECU gets no input from the camshaft sensor, it "guesses" and eventually figures it out. In theory, a bad synch sensor would create an extended crank, not a no crank (unless something's shorted).

Here's what my sync sensor looked like. Went to do a rotor/cap replacement prior to smog check and found all kinds of powder inside. Turns out that powder used to be most of the sensor. The metal ring pulverized the piece that broke off. Have no idea how long it was like that. Jeep still started OK. With the new distrib in, Jeep started a bit quicker but not really by that much.






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Old Apr 14, 2026 | 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Saudade
Technically, Renix doesn't need the sensor`s signal (aka Sync Signal Generator) to start. It tells the ECU when #1 or #6 is on Exhaust and about to start Intake. The crankshaft sensor tells the ECU when #1 and #6 is at TDC Together, the ECU can determine the correct firing order. If the ECU gets no input from the camshaft sensor, it "guesses" and eventually figures it out. In theory, a bad synch sensor would create an extended crank, not a no crank (unless something's shorted).

Here's what my sync sensor looked like. Went to do a rotor/cap replacement prior to smog check and found all kinds of powder inside. Turns out that powder used to be most of the sensor. The metal ring pulverized the piece that broke off. Have no idea how long it was like that. Jeep still started OK. With the new distrib in, Jeep started a bit quicker but not really by that much.



Thank you! I'm still convinced the problem is electrical somewhere since I haven't done anything to the car.
I'm going to replace the sensor and see what happens. After that I'm just going to dive into electrical.
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