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- Symptoms Without Summary
- Car Leaking Coolant
- AC Isn't Cooling
- AC Blowing Hot Air
- Shaking While Driving
- Overheating AC
- AC Smells Like Vinegar
- Heater Not Working
- Windshield Wipers Don't Work
- Car Leaking Water
- Car Leaking Red Fluid
- Car Battery Leaking
- AC Only Work Sometimes
- Shaking While Idle
- Shaking At High Speeds
- Evap System Leak
- Shaking While Braking At High Speeds
- Shaking When Stopped
- Shaking When Accelerating
- Radiator Leaking
- Pink Fluid Leaking
- Car Leaking Oil
- AC Not Working.
- Car Leaking Gas
- Power Steering Fluid Leak
- Bad Brake Caliper
Hey, Why Am I Being Told That My Camshaft Sensor Failed?
If you are short on time and want to fast-track the process to professional help, click Yes
Does Your Car Have Bad Camshaft Sensor Symptoms, Like Trouble Accelerating or a Rough Idle?
Camshaft issues are caused by low engine oil or oil contamination, affecting valve timing. Alternatively, an issue with the wiring or timing chain might also be the culprit. These usually occur after the vehicle gets too much heat from weather or internal overheating.
Don't wait for your engine to stall before taking action on a potential camshaft sensor issue. Keep an eye out for warning signs and address them immediately to avoid costly repairs.
A failing camshaft position sensor might catch you off guard! So, learn how to identify the warning signs and take action before they turn into major headaches. By staying ahead of potential issues, you can save yourself time, and money, ensuring a smooth ride. Don't wait; read our article now and get confidence.
Let's Get To The Bottom Of It!
- Camshaft position sensors tell the car's computer where the camshaft is, so it controls the engin...read more
Camshaft position sensors tell the car's computer where the camshaft is, so it controls the engine. But, if the sensor becomes faulty, the computer won't know when to give fuel and spark to the engine, causing the car to hesitate while driving. If the wires get loose or damaged, they'll cause similar problems.
If you notice the check engine dash light active, the engine having difficulties starting, cranking, stalling while driving, hesitating, fuel economy loss, or vehicle power loss, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- If your check engine light activates on the dashboard, something is wrong with your car's emissio...read more
If your check engine light activates on the dashboard, something is wrong with your car's emissions. This problem may relate to a bad camshaft position sensor, which tells the computer where the camshaft is. Even if no symptoms appear, it's essential to get it checked out right away before it gets worse.
If you notice the engine having difficulties starting, cranking, stalling while driving, hesitating, fuel economy loss, or vehicle power loss, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- The camshaft sensor sits in the oil part of the engine, so it is constantly running in oil. But, ...read more
The camshaft sensor sits in the oil part of the engine, so it is constantly running in oil. But, if the seal inside the sensor gets damaged, oil leaks into the electrical connection, causing the sensor to stop working. This results in an engine shut off. If this happens, let the engine cool down before starting it again.
If you notice the check engine dash light active, the engine having difficulties starting, cranking, stalling while driving, hesitating, fuel economy loss, or vehicle power loss, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- The camshaft sensor tells the car's computer when the valves in the engine should open and close....read more
The camshaft sensor tells the car's computer when the valves in the engine should open and close. If the sensor becomes faulty, the computer won't know when to give the engine fuel and spark, so it won't start. Additionally, this sensor can fail because of heat, vibration, or poor condition.
If you notice the check engine dash light active, the engine having difficulties starting, cranking, stalling while driving, hesitating, fuel economy loss, or vehicle power loss, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- The timing chain connects the crankshaft to the camshaft and helps the engine valves open and clo...read more
The timing chain connects the crankshaft to the camshaft and helps the engine valves open and close at the right time. If the chain is loose or stretched, it makes a rattling noise, causing problems with the camshaft sensor. A loose chain can make the cam sensors communicate a malfunction.
If you notice the check engine dash light active, the engine having difficulties starting, cranking, stalling while driving, hesitating, fuel economy loss, or vehicle power loss, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- The engine oil plays a crucial role in lubricating the engine's internal components and also regu...read more
The engine oil plays a crucial role in lubricating the engine's internal components and also regulates the variable valve timing through position solenoids and phasers. These components adjust the valve timing, optimizing performance and reducing emissions. If the oil is low, it affects these components' abilities to function properly, impacting fuel efficiency.
If you notice the check engine dash light active, the engine having difficulties starting, cranking, stalling while driving, hesitating, fuel economy loss, or vehicle power loss, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
Find Professional Help
Please select your vehicle's brand and location so we can locate the best professional help for youVehicle Health Inspection Proof
Explore the following typical inspection results that show a potential cause for the symptom and select the one you believe is similar to your vehicle's issue.
Sensor wiring damage
Camshaft sensor oil contamination
Faulty camshaft sensor
Loose timing chain
Camshaft wiring malpositioning
Low engine oil
This image shows wire damage in the camshaft sensor. In this case, rodents chewed on the wire, removing its connection.
A customer said they went camping in the hills for some days, and when packing up to leave, their car's check engine light came on. They said the car was running okay, so they weren't sure why the light was on.
When test-driving the car, the technician saw the check engine light was on and noticed some other problems. They saw grass and weeds on the valve cover and a chewed wire on the cam sensor.
The technician did a code scan as part of the vehicle health inspection, discovering that the cam sensor was malfunctioning. Plus, they found a code concerning the camshaft position sensor circuit.
The technician must fix or replace the cam sensor wiring harness and look for other damages. In this case, the vehicle was damaged by rodents. They also need to clear the codes.
1/6
This image shows the camshaft sensor connector. In this case, an oil intrusion led it to malfunction.
The customer said that their vehicle was dying after driving for 25 minutes. Then, if they let it cool for 30 minutes, it would start again. They also said the check engine light was on the dashboard.
When the technician test-drove the vehicle, they couldn't find anything wrong besides the check engine light.
During a vehicle health inspection, they did a code scan and found a problem with the camshaft position sensor. To further assess this problem, the customer approved additional tests.
During additional tests, the technician found that oil entered the sensor's electrical connector. This caused a camshaft position sensor failure, leading the engine to die. So, the camshaft sensor and its electrical connector needed replacement.
They also checked if oil damaged other parts to ensure the vehicle rides smoothly.
2/6
This proof image shows the camshaft position sensor. In this case, the sensor is faulty and needs replacement.
The customer visited the shop because their car wouldn't start. They explained they parked it in the garage yesterday night, and it wouldn't start this morning. They even tried to jumpstart it, which didn't work. They towed it.
The technician had to push the car into the service bay as it wouldn't start. So, they skipped the test drive and did a vehicle health inspection, founding nothing relevant. To investigate further, the customer approved additional tests.
They performed additional tests using a special scanner, finding many error codes related to the camshaft position sensor. To figure out what triggered the codes, the technician used a special tool to test the cam sensor. They found no signal coming from it, meaning it had failed and needed replacement.
The technician recommended replacing the faulty camshaft position sensor and clearing the codes.
3/6
This image shows the timing chain. The red arrow points to a slack in the chain, causing issues.
The customer's concern when dropping off their vehicle was that they noticed the engine was louder when starting. It seemed noisier in the mornings, but even when the engine was idling, there was a slight rattling noise. They said it sounded like an exhaust leak or a failing lifter.
During the test drive, the technician noticed a rattling noise coming from the engine front area but no drivability issues. The check engine light was on the dashboard.
The technician found no leads to the customer's concern during the vehicle health inspection. But, a complimentary code scan revealed a camshaft position issue. To further investigate the issue, the customer approved additional tests.
During additional tests, the technician removed the valve cover, discovering an extremely loose timing chain and a faulty tensioner. The timing chain tensioner and slides will need replacement.
4/6
This proof image shows the camshaft's wiring system. In this case, some wires created friction, rubbing each other until major damage. The camshaft position sensor fails in such cases.
A customer complained they were driving on the freeway, and the engine felt odd at random times. They said it almost felt like the engine was misfiring, but it was hard to explain.
When the technician took the car for a test drive, they saw the check engine light on the dashboard but couldn't find any other problems.
During a vehicle health inspection, the technician found wire-rubbing signs on the cam sensor. More specifically, a wire lost its insulation due to friction. The technician removed the wire from the connector and fixed it. They also recommended some additional tests, which the client approved.
The camshaft position sensor monitors most of the data in this system, so any malfunction in its positioning causes crucial errors.
They repaired the wire and reinstalled it, which removed the check engine light. During additional tests, the technician found that the engine mounting was weak, and repairs were scheduled for a later service visit.
5/6
This image shows an oil dipstick. The red arrows highlight that the oil level is below the recommended mark in the engine control unit. Plus, the oil is black, indicating that it's old.
The customer brought in their vehicle because its fuel efficiency worsened. They used to get 28 miles per gallon, but now it decreased to 22. They weren't sure if it was bad-quality gas or if they needed a tune-up.
On the test drive, the technician noticed that the vehicle was 8,000 miles overdue for an oil change. They also noticed that the check engine light was on the dashboard.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician found a low oil level, which was slightly blackish on the dipstick. They did a scan, discovering a cam position timing-related error code over advanced or system performance.
The technician recommended changing the oil, flushing the engine, and clearing the codes to eliminate the problem. They also used a scan tool after the oil change to verify if the computer could now control the timing change for the best fuel mileage.
6/6Typical Fixes to Address the Cause(s)
The following chapters bases themselves on experiences from our auto repair shop; we'll describe related problems' causes and fixes.
The AutoTechIQ ranking for Safety, Cost Avoidance, and Environmental Impact is
Vehicle Symptoms
Below are just a few examples of typical Symptoms and Fixes your car might be experiencing
Other things your auto repair shop might talk about:
Engine control module. Camshaft position sensor location. Fuel injectors. Cylinder head. crankshaft position sensor. position sensor symptoms. internal combustion engine