What are the symptoms of a faulty camshaft solenoid valve in a Passat?
2 Answers
Volkswagen Passat camshaft solenoid valve failure symptoms are as follows: Difficulty starting: When the camshaft solenoid valve fails, the valve cannot open and close freely, resulting in difficulty starting the car; Weak acceleration: When the camshaft solenoid valve fails, the oil drain hole may be closed, preventing effective fuel transfer and combustion, leading to weak acceleration; Engine stalling after starting: If the solenoid valve suddenly closes or malfunctions when the car is started, it can cause the engine to stall; Check engine light on: There are many reasons for the check engine light to come on, and a faulty camshaft solenoid valve is one of them.
Last year when I was driving my Passat to work, I suddenly felt something was wrong with the car. The engine shook violently during startup, like an earthquake, and the idle speed was unstable. It almost stalled when stopping at intersections. When accelerating, the throttle response was sluggish, and it felt like the speed couldn't go up. The fuel consumption increased significantly, burning 2-3 liters more per 100 kilometers. The check engine light came on early. I took it to the repair shop, and the mechanics said the camshaft solenoid valve was broken. This part controls the valve opening and closing timing, and its failure affects the entire engine performance. If left unfixed for long, it could damage the valve system or increase carbon deposits. The diagnosis was simple—just plug in an OBD scanner to read the fault codes. I suggest anyone experiencing similar issues not delay and replace it immediately. The cost isn't high, and regular maintenance to clean engine contaminants can extend part lifespan. Driving safely is more important than anything else.
