i have a 01 disco with 100,000 miles on it. it starts up fine but after an half hour it dies, and wont start for a bout 35 to 40 min later. the check engine light does not come on. i checked to see if it was getting a spark and it wasnt. one of my friends told me to replace the cam sensor. cant afford to take it to the mechanic, any advise would be helpfull.

 

A cam sensor could cause that but before you replace it I would verify that is the problem, pretty sure there can be other things causing this.
How did you verify the plugs weren't firing?

 

I'd replace the crank position sensor, I'm pretty sure that I had no spark when mine was out. They commonly fail like you described.

 

The crank sensor is for firing the injectors.

 

Crank sensor is for spark and cam sensor is for injectors.
Replace your crank sensor and it will run just fine.
I have heard that AutoZone has them for $60.
Drivers side of engine, half way down at the bell housing.

 

Spark or fuel, spark or fuel... there seems to be a big debate on that one. As far as I can tell it gives the ECM information for controlling both. All I know is that I had no spark when mine died (it was a while ago, but I'm almost +).

 

Ok, if I was not a rtard I would copy and paste the pages from RAVE CD...the cam sensor controls the sequential fuel injection, knock sensor and diagnostics.
The crank sensor controls spark and fuel injection.
CKP starts on page 279 under "Engine Managment System V8"
and then sub heading "engine managment location-engine compartment"
So if someone who knows how to copy and paste from a PDF file can post it...the debate can be settled once and for all.

 

spark time is measured in degrees of "camshaft rotation" or a percentage of it. turning halft the speed of the crank. the crank pickup gives note to tdc and misfires. so the CKP gives intial timing and the CMP is used to determine dwell time for the firing sequence. they both would more than likely have an effect of spark but i would imagine there would be a predetermined dwell time for the plugs if there was no signal from the CMP. but it will not run if its not getting a signal on when to fire, from CKP. CMP tell pcm when that cylinder is on its intake to fire injector, they are not aspicky on timingas long as there isvapor waiting at the valve when its opened, and they more or less are waiting on temp, 02 and knock to change pulse width.

 

Right, crank sensor controls spark, cam sensor injector timing.

 

I had one on my freinds, a retired air force mechanic check the spark. i think he used a screw driver or somthing. i didnt get to see what he used because i was starting it for him. He told me that older chevys have the same prob. cam sensors get over heated, and wont start till it cools down. i also have the three amigos prob with the fault code p-1590 but i can live with that. it runs just great till i shut it off then it wont start till it cools down.