How to Determine if the Camshaft Sensor is Faulty?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if the camshaft sensor is faulty include: a damaged camshaft sensor may exhibit symptoms such as difficulty in ignition, engine starting problems, increased fuel consumption with poor performance, and inability to accelerate. The function of the camshaft position sensor is to collect the position signal of the valve camshaft and input it into the ECU, allowing the ECU to identify the top dead center of cylinder compression for sequential fuel injection control, ignition timing control, and knock control. The camshaft sensor's position signal is also used to identify the first ignition timing when starting the engine, determining which cylinder piston is about to reach the top dead center. The camshaft sensor is also known as the cylinder identification sensor.
When the camshaft sensor fails, your car will exhibit a series of symptoms to alert you. First, starting difficulties: multiple ignition attempts in the morning before the engine starts, or it may not start at all, with the engine rattling before finally turning over. Problems become more obvious while running—the engine shakes violently, especially at idle, making the steering wheel or seats vibrate, and acceleration feels weak, struggling to climb hills. Fuel consumption suddenly becomes unreasonably high, with significantly shorter distances covered after refueling. The check engine light is a direct warning—don't ignore it. Here’s a handy tip: connect an OBD2 scanner to check for trouble codes; if you see P0340 or similar, it’s likely the culprit. Regularly inspect the sensor for dirt or loose wiring. Delaying repairs can affect the ignition system and further damage spark plugs, doubling repair costs. I’ve found that regular cleaning of oil buildup can delay these issues.
