Like any other automobile engine part, the intake camshaft position sensor has a finite lifespan. After a long use, it will start to malfunction and affect the engine performance.
If you do not pay enough attention at this point, you might get stuck with annoying issues with your lovely car.
Many people are struggling to identify whether the problems with their cars are coming from the intake camshaft sensor or not.
What a tough time for them! If you find yourself in the same boat, don’t worry! This article is all you need.
Here, we will indicate some of the most common signs of a faulty CMP and the solutions as well. Keep scrolling down for more!
What Is A Camshaft Position Sensor And What Does It Do?
A camshaft position sensor is an electrical device responsible for monitoring the camshaft position as well as engine speed and transmitting that information to the ECM (engine control module).
The ECM requires this information to regulate the timing of the spark and the amount of fuel allowed to access the combustion chamber.
The cylinder performance and engine oil efficiency rise along with exhaust camshaft emissions when the air is fired at the ideal moment.
When you press the accelerator, the camshaft intake position sensor will detect which cylinder is in compression stroke in relation to the crankshaft position. This sensor then delivers gasoline and spark to ignite the engine.
Before a camshaft sensor malfunctions entirely, it will expose some common signs to tell you its current status.
Common Symptoms Of A Faulty Camshaft Position Sensor
#1: The Check Engine Light Is On
If you have doubts about the malfunction of your camshaft position sensor, it is advised that you take a glance at the “Check Engine” light on the dashboard.
Clearly, it can point out different issues with your machine, not only a faulty cam position sensor.
In this circumstance, there are two most effective ways to diagnose the status of your machine. You can employ an OBD2 scan tool to identify your vehicle’s DTC (diagnostic trouble code).
Or you can ask a certified mechanic expert at a repair shop to conduct a thorough inspection to see what is happening with your car’s engine.
He will also do a quick scan to obtain a series of common error codes, which can let you know precisely what the actual issue is.
A warning for you: Do not overlook or delay inspecting your car when the Check Engine light illuminates. Otherwise, your engine could fall into severe destruction.
Not even enough, they could create a domino effect, resulting in a whole engine part failing simultaneously. At that point, you will have no choice but to rebuild or replace it.
#2: Ignition Issues
Once your car has a bad camshaft position sensor, it will instantly impact the transmitted signal, which is responsible for delivering information to the vehicle’s software.
There is no spark from the ignition, the final signal is weaker than usual. As a result, the car can not start, or you will notice the intermittent flashing Check Engine Light.
#3: Jerking Or Soaring In Your Car
If you are driving a car with a bad camshaft position sensor intake, you may experience the car jerking when slowing down or soaring issues.
Since the car’s engine occasionally has experienced a loss of power to operate, it causes instability when driving, normally by randomly surging forward.
These symptoms can be explained by the PCM receiving inaccurate camshaft position sensor data, leading to an incorrect quantity of engine oil level running into the cylinders.
#4: Engine Stalling
An even worse predicament is that the fuel injectors have failed to supply fuel into the engine cylinders.
Consequently, your engine will automatically shut off or stagnate while driving on the roads. No matter how hard you try, it is impossible to start your car again.
Needless to say, it would be a true nightmare if you got stuck in that situation.
#5: Poor Acceleration
Apart from jerking or soaring, your automobile can not accelerate as quickly as before if the camshaft intake sensor runs into a problem.
Just a small number of circumstances that you could speed up to 30 mph.
The remaining, on the other hand, mostly struggle to overcome that 30 mph benchmark. Again, inefficient fuel distribution by the injectors is the cause of the weak acceleration.
#6: Shifting Issues
Certain automobile models with a defective intake camshaft sensor will lead to a locked transmission that gets stuck in one gear.
In this case, the only choice to fix this common issue is to turn off the engine, patiently wait for a moment, and restart.
However, this is only a temporary solution. The issue can come back at any time shortly, so it is best that you replace the old sensor with a brand new one.
Only by doing that can we thoroughly resolve the problem.
Additionally, your car can enter ‘limp-in’ mode (protective mode) which prevents you from changing gears or accelerating past a particular speed.
#7: Low Fuel Efficiency
This is the reverse situation of not supplying the engine with enough gasoline.
In this instance, the engine receives more fuel than its usual requirement due to an erroneous reading from a problematic cam positioning sensor. Consequently, it lowers fuel efficiency, leading to a poor fuel economy.
How To Replace An Intake Camshaft Position Sensor
Step 1: You need to detach the negative battery.
Step 2: Track down the sensor. It normally lies on the engine’s top, front, or back. It probably has an electrical connector with 2-3 wires.
Step 3: Liberate the sensor tab so you can detach the wires.
Step 4: Then, release the sensor’s mounting screw that holds the sensor to the whole engine. Typically, it is an 8mm or 10mm screw.
Step 5: Use a small twist to remove the sensor.
Step 6: Treat the new sensor’s O ring with a bit of engine oil.
Step 7: Make an intake camshaft sensor replacement and tighten it with the mounting screw.
Step 8: Attach the wire connector to the sensor.
Step 9: Lastly, reconnect the car’s negative battery terminals.
Tips
- Remember to remind the mechanic to check the camshaft position sensor when you take your car for a routine service; don’t mind the additional costs for repairs. Normally, they will not examine it unless asked.
- If you notice any of the above signs, don’t hesitate to tell the mechanic what you know. This will help them promptly detect the root issue and get the job done more easily.
Conclusion
As soon as you find out that your intake camshaft position sensor is malfunctioning, do not delay bringing it to a professional mechanic at the repair shop.
Repair manuals might not be that helpful in this situation, even when you have some automotive repair skills.
They can help you erase the issues at ease. Are there any other similar problems with your vehicle? Leave us a comment below because your comment might be our upcoming topic.
Cheers!