Bad Camshaft Position Sensor Symptoms: 7 Telltale Signs

Brian: Hi everyone, Brian here from Honest Mechanic Colorado. Today we're getting into the nitty-gritty of the camshaft position sensor and how to tell if it's going bad.

The camshaft position sensor is a crucial part of your vehicle's engine. It monitors the camshaft's position and speed, providing data essential for managing the engine's timing, fuel injection, and ignition systems.

It's easy to confuse this with the crankshaft position sensor. While both are key to your engine's performance, they serve different purposes. The crankshaft sensor keeps tabs on the crankshaft's position, while the camshaft sensor focuses on the camshaft's activities.

Brian: “Now, let's talk about the symptoms of a failing camshaft position sensor. This is where things get interesting.”

Check Engine Light: "The most common sign is your check engine light. If this light pops on, it could indicate a problem with the sensor."

Engine Performance Issues: "Your engine might start acting up – think rough idling, stalling, or even difficulty in starting. These are signs that the sensor isn't tracking the camshaft's position accurately."

Reduced Power and Acceleration: "If your car feels sluggish or isn't accelerating like it should, a faulty camshaft position sensor could be to blame."

Increased Fuel Consumption: "Notice your car's thirst for fuel has gone up? That's another red flag. A malfunctioning sensor can cause the engine to run inefficiently, leading to higher fuel consumption."

Engine Misfires: "An irregular or sporadic engine misfire can often be traced back to this little sensor. It's all about timing, and when the sensor fails, the timing goes haywire."

Vehicle Stalling: "Unexpected stalling, especially at low speeds or when idling, is a symptom you shouldn't ignore. This happens when the sensor sends erratic signals, causing the engine to shut off."

Difficulty Starting the Vehicle: "Last but not least, if you're having a hard time getting your car to start, the camshaft position sensor could be the culprit. It's responsible for proper ignition timing, and if it's off, so is your start-up."

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[jokersays]

You saved me money dude! All because you said dont confuse one thing with another. I re-hooked up my diagnostic machine and made sure. Thank you for making me think.

[BFmeister]

Honest mechanic... an unicorn of our time 😂 Thanks for explaining

[yukiiscrazy]

I changed the oil in my Bmw, changed the vanos solenoids, and it threw a check engine light for camshaft position sensor (timing retarded bank 1&2) I replaced the cam sensors, then it threw a code for fuel pumps and a code for (transmission fluid deteriorated) I replaced fuel pumps, then it was back to cam shaft timing retarded again.. I replaced coil packs, and spark plugs. It was still throwing engine code for cam sensor, and have a check engine light. I replaced camshaft gears, and timing chain.. Still had the code.. It ended up being the crankshaft sensor which was not throwing a code, but made the camshaft sensors throw a code because they weren't reading correctly. 600 bucks, and hating myself a week later... I repaired it, with a crank sensor. (P0012-P0015) are camshaft position codes, but if they can't read what's coming from the crank they read incorrectly. Will also throw transmission codes, cause ruff idle, horrible performance, misfires, and a head scratching disease.

[ClintPronebo]

Mine doesn’t show code. It’s hard starting. We already changed fuel pump. All symptoms you mentioned are showing

[MattDee]

My check engine light never came on. Buy have been hearing a winning noise from the Alternator area. And battery good along with starter. So checked with breaker bar. And won't move. Opened top and timing chain seems loose to me. But everything looks very good and clean. Should I replace this sensor or just finish opening the rest of the engine and plan on rebuilding halfway or at least what looks like is needed or wanna have new

[roberthook]

I have a dodge journey sxt with the 3.6 PENTASTAR and I've already had to replace one from the cam sensor being off driving it to a few shops but me being a mechanic I went to fix it and seen the exhaust cam had a flat lobe and the valve bent and rod was thrown but Bec I had a 1/2017 manufactured date it wasn't covered under the recall 2016 3.6 HAS A CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR RECALL EVERYONE YOU CAN CHECK YOUR VIN BUT LOOK AT YOUR ENGINE MY 17 HAS A AUG 16 MANUFACTURER STAMP ENGINE JUST BECAUSE YOUR CAR IS A 2017 DOESN'T MEAN EVERY PART IS THAT YEAR DO YOUR DUDILIGENCE AND CHECK

[Vancqa]

My mechanic worked 3 times..even re program of ECM done at dealership..still engine light with same code ...what might be reason..already spend 1200 bucks on this..

[nnokamviktor]

Hi, nice work,
I am frim Nigeria, I love your videos,
I have a p0016 and p0705 issue with my 2007 corolla 1zz engine,
Please can you throw more light on this codes for me?

[titan]

Hello, i have bmw e46 325i, when i start the car i get rough idle/misfires until it warms up a bit and the start up rpms go down and from then it smooth. Can this be possibly the camshaft sensor?

[christopher.]

Good afternoon hopefully you read my message. I had a P0343 code and it said to replace the cam shaft position sensor on my 2011 Prius. So I did that today and now After I installed it my Prius doesn’t want to start now. I still have the P0343 code checking my OB reader. What is wrong with:(

[BM-hhgz]

Will a faulty cam shaft position sensor cause rough shifting in an automatic transmission between gears? My son just got his first car, 2010 VW City Golf, had codes for O2 sensor and CPS, replaced the O2 which fixed the hesitation during regular start and go but still can’t floor it as he says lol and some rough shifting between 2-3 or 3-4 gears. We are getting it replaced but curious if a bad CPS can cause the rough shifting. Thank you.

[jamescloydjmb]

Engine F6A after 30 meter running the engine will stop then after a few minutes will start again

[monicabutler]

01 mercedes benz s430 where is the location of camshaft

[PeterHernandez-lgeh]

2006 Subaru sti with po302 . Can a faulty camshaft position sensor cause a single cylinder misfire or a crankshaft position sensor?. Having ahard time finding cause. Did compression and leakdown test all good did intake and exhaust smoke test no vacuum leaks. Swapped plugs and ignition coils from 2 to 4 cylinder. Next will be injector swap

[marcotelli]

My code came up as camshaft sensor, changed both and still wont start.

[jovo]

Hey im getting misfires at accelration and quick revs. Mainly anytime the car is under load. The car used to stall at idle but the other day i cleaned my maf and i stopped stalling. The misfire gets worse as it gets warmer and i have no clue as to what it could be as ive changed my coil packs and plugs.

Can anyone help me pls?

[Cheryl-cj]

2008 infinity fx35 i changed the sensoes i still canno5 get it to srart

[alevans]

At 90, 000 miles, change it. And the crankshaft sensor too.