Under what circumstances will the engine report an exhaust camshaft position deviation?
2 Answers
If the relative position misalignment exceeds 1 gear tooth, this fault code will appear. Overview of the camshaft: The camshaft position sensor is installed at the position where the camshaft operates synchronously, providing camshaft position information. The camshaft position sensor has a significant impact on the system's emissions. When the sensor malfunctions, the vehicle will experience difficulty starting, and there will also be obvious poor acceleration during startup. The function of the camshaft is to control the opening and closing of the valves. Symptoms of camshaft failure: Camshaft failure generally manifests as difficulty in accelerating, poor ignition, idle fault light illumination, sudden stalling when the engine is hot, and other phenomena.
As an experienced car enthusiast, when the engine reports an exhaust camshaft position deviation, it's often due to a faulty camshaft position sensor. The sensor might be dirty, aged, or covered in oil, leading to inaccurate position readings. Another common cause is a worn or loose timing chain. Over time, the chain stretches, and if the tensioner can't keep it tight, misalignment occurs. Sometimes, low oil pressure can also cause a chain reaction—without proper tension, the chain slips. I've fixed this issue several times in my garage. When this warning light comes on, the engine idle becomes unstable, fuel consumption spikes, and if the timing is off, it can even damage the valves, costing thousands to repair. Regular maintenance is key—use high-quality oil, check and clean sensor connectors, and listen for unusual engine noises before driving. Address issues early; don't skimp or delay. Replacing the sensor is cheap, but a timing chain overhaul is a major hassle.
