How to Reset Camshaft Position Sensor? Things to Take Note

Even novices understand the importance of an engine crankshaft position sensor.

Without this small yet powerful device, there’s no way the ECM can receive sufficient rotational speed data to control the vehicle’s performance.

Your car will suffer a lot as a result, affecting your overall experience. Hence, once the device stops working or shows clear signals of malfunctioning, it’s necessary to treat the problem immediately.

Sometimes, resetting everything is the best resort, which is why this guide is delivered to tell you exactly how to reset camshaft position sensor. Let’s get the ball rolling!

How Can You Know The Camshaft Position Sensors Have Gone Bad?

how to reset camshaft position sensor
What Is Sign of Camshaft Position Sensors Have Gone Bad

A faulty camshaft sensor always leads to the car’s performance issues, which you should notice immediately. Some of them include: 

1. The Check Engine Lights

These lights will notify you once any of the engine components encounter problems. In the case of the position sensors, your check engine lights will get triggered and keep blinking on the dashboard. 

With the help of a scanner like the OBD2, you can easily discover the exact issue.

P0340 is considered a popular trouble code regarding position sensor errors, which will read “Camshaft Sensor Circuit Malfunction” on the scanner.

2. Ignition Issues

The main purpose of a crank sensor is to observe the camshaft’s exact angle and position and communicate this data to the car ECU.

The ECU then calculates the right power amount to control fuel supply and ignition. 

Thus, when the sensor stops working properly, it will transfer erratic/confusing info to the computer, making it difficult for your vehicle to start. After all, there’s no spark initiated for the ignition! 

3. Poor Fuel Economies

Do you find out that the fuel injection delivery within the chamber has become excessive? Then the car will likely suffer from the disastrous economy, forcing you to visit gas stations often for refueling.

False sensor readings also result in the ECU sending more engine fuel than required. Your car will burn too much of it, causing bad fuel mileages.

It’s no surprise that you run fewer miles a gallon than before! 

4. Poor Acceleration Problems

Ask yourself this question: has your car been struggling during acceleration due to excessively poor engine performances? Or will your car not go over 40?

If yes, we are afraid it’s the direct result of degraded engine fuel deliveries that stems from faulty position sensors.

In worse scenarios, the internal engine even loses power, causing your car to jerk and surge inconsistently. Some sputtering is also heard.

You must check and replace the sensor right away to resolve these accelerating dilemmas.

5. Engine Stalling

When the ignition timing and fuel delivery have gone completely off, the fuel filters and injectors fails to transmit fuels into the car’s combustion chamber at the appropriate time.

As a result, your car engine will stall during your trip or even refuse to start.

If you ignore these bad sensors and let them get worse, the signals sent to the automobile ECM will weaken, turning off the engine entirely and even causing physical damage.

How to Reset Camshaft Position Sensor

after replacing camshaft position sensor
Ways To Fix Camshaft Position Sensor

There are two methods to choose from: with or without scanners. Both work well, so just pick an option you feel most comfortable with.

So how to relearn camshaft position sensor without scanner and with scanners? The section below will detail how to perform each: 

Method 1. Without Scanners

How to reset crankshaft position sensor without scanner? The best way is to disconnect the battery – which also works well in resetting other critical sensors, cylinder heads, and engine compartments.

Step 1. Disconnect the battery cable (negative terminal) with a wrench. Once done, set the cable aside and wait for an hour.

This strategy is to help reset the ECU, clearing the remaining error codes in the faulty crankshaft sensor.

What if you want to ensure a full-proof process? Then disconnect both negative and positive cables and connect them together.

Go inside the car, turn on its headlights, and wait for 5-6 minutes. All the energy that flows throughout the dead center in your electronic devices will drain out.

Step 2. Reconnect the batteries. If you disconnect both cables, start reconnecting the positive before moving on to the negative.

Your ECU will then carry out relearning processes, identifying and reconnecting your defective camshaft sensor.

Extra Note:

  • This method works well for people with no OBD2 scanner. But what if it turns out that disconnecting batteries cannot help at all? 

Then you must purchase a scanner now – especially if the car is from a luxury brand or incorporates many electro-control modules.

  • Note that your camshaft positioning sensor will have no memory left; once you turn it back on, it will start things at square one.
  • Does your car install an anti-theft system? Then check that you remember the codes before disconnecting the batteries. (after all, the CMP sensor will lose all memories).
  • It’s easy to find the anti-theft numbers tucked on the car’s small placard in the manual, valve cover, or near the car door.

Method 2. With Scanners

As we just mentioned, if no-scanner methods do not work, it’s time to turn to scanner-involved camshaft position sensor relearn.

We strongly suggest fancy scanners that can easily reprogram various systems in the automobile.

High-quality models are expected to work on every vehicle model – including those produced from the 1990s.

Step 1. Connect the scanner to the car’s OBD port. Switch on the key, but do not kick-start the engine block. A list of model options on the display screen will show up; pick one that belongs to your car.

If you are unsure which model/make your vehicle belongs to, let the scanner detect it automatically by scanning VIN (the vehicle identification numbers).

Step 2. Hit “Manual Selection,” which enables the system info to load. Choose the model year. Then press Diagnostics > Control Unit > Power Train to access the car’s transmission and engine details.

Step 3. Choose Engine Control Modules > Special Functions > Cam crank relearning. After that, the cam sensors will start resetting themselves.

Step 4. Congratulations, you are done! The final step to relearn camshaft position sensor is to kick-start the engines and check whether things have gone well.

Rev the car to bring it to optimum operating temperatures.

FAQs

how to reset camshaft position sensor no start

1. Can I Drive with Bad Camshaft Sensors? 

Technically, you can. But your engine will suffer from a short lifespan and degraded performance over time.

2. What Is The Cost of Replacements for Faulty Camshaft Position Sensors?

After replacing camshaft position sensor, you should expect 200-400$ for mainstream vehicles. Luxury ones will, of course, charge higher.

Conclusion

How to reset camshaft position sensor? Our detailed guidelines have discussed this issue in depth, breaking the process into numerous small steps that are easy to follow, even for beginners.

Common signals of bad camshaft position sensors are also mentioned, which helps you detect the problem early and give it quick fixes before things worsen.

Always check your car’s compartments at the end of the day;just some extra seconds of inspection can save you thousands of dollars for expensive repairs!

As always, Bryan welcomes further inquiries or concerns about how to reset crankshaft position sensor.Feel free to contact us

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