10 symptoms and solutions of a broken camshaft position sensor new for 2022

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The camshaft position sensor (CPS) is a sensor in the engine that senses the position of the camshafts. It transmits this information to the ECU, which in turn uses it to control fuel and air mixture, throttle, and ignition timing. If the sensor is bad, the ECU will not be able to properly communicate with the engine and may not function at all.

This amortips.com post will answer your question about “how to check if camshaft position sensor is bad?” and provide relevant information.

Contents

What precisely is a Camshaft Position Sensor?

The camshaft sensor’s core purpose is to determine the position of the camshaft drive very precisely. As a result, it generates signals in the same way as the crankshaft position sensor. It helps your engine determine when the first cylinder is at its top dead center position.

The engine’s camshaft generates information that is used for a variety of purposes, including starting the injection process and supporting the actuation signal for pump nozzle injection. This information is also used to calibrate knock control.

The Hall principle is the basic working concept of a camshaft sensor. The ring gear on the camshaft is scanned, and this causes a change in the voltage of the Hall IC located in the sensor head. This then induces a change in how much voltage is transmitted to the control unit.

The camshaft position sensor is read electronically and evaluated to determine if there has been a change in the engine’s rotational speed. If there has been a change, it is recorded and may cause various problems with the engine’s performance.

Camshaft position sensor placement

The camshaft position sensor is located near the camshaft on most engines, but it can also be installed from the side of the cylinder head.

Check around the head or valve cover and follow any electrical wires and you will for sure find the camshaft position sensor.

Camshaft Position Sensor Failure Is Common

Just like other components in your vehicle, the camshaft position sensor can fail. Camshaft position sensors usually fail due to normal everyday wear and tear, as well as accidents.

10 Signs That Your Camshaft Position Sensor Is Failing

A camshaft position sensor failure often results in a variety of warning signs. Keep an eye out for these common symptoms when the sensor is failing:

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Poor Fuel Economy

A camshaft position sensor is a device that monitors the movement of your engine’s camshafts. If it fails, this will cause inaccurate data to be sent to the engine control module, which in turn can lead to poor fuel economy and performance.

Stalling

If the fuel injectors are not dispensing the correct amount of fuel, the engine may start to stall.

Engine Idles Roughly

A faulty camshaft position sensor can cause a rough idle. This is more common when the engine is idling.

Hesitation

The hesitation during acceleration that you may experience with a bad camshaft sensor is a common issue.

Failed Emissions Test

If the engine is not performing as it should, this can lead to inefficient burning of fuel, which can in turn produce more emissions.

Smell of Gas

Fuel that has not been burned can escape from your engine and produce a gas smell.

Car Will Not Start

If the camshaft position sensor fails, it will no longer send a signal to the engine control module. This can cause problems when trying to start your car.

Engine Misfires

If you experience misfires or poor performance from your engine, it may be due to a failing camshaft position sensor.

Transmission Shifting Problems

The data sent to the engine control module can prevent the transmission from shifting properly. In some vehicles, there is a security feature that puts the car in “limp mode.” This helps to prevent major engine damage.

Check Engine Light is Illuminated

If your vehicle is experiencing a problem, the check engine light will automatically turn on. This can be caused by a number of different problems, so it’s important to have your mechanic run a diagnostic scan as soon as possible to determine the exact cause. If the light is flashing, you should stop driving immediately and call for a tow.

Driving With a Malfunctioning Camshaft Position Sensor

Driving with a bad sensor can lead to additional failures in other areas of your car, which can end up costing you more money in service bills. Additionally, if the sensor is failing, your car may stall or have other issues. This could be dangerous for you and those around you.

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Cost of Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement

The average cost of a camshaft position sensor replacement is between $100 and $250. The part itself costs between $75 and $120, while labor costs range from $30 to $130.

A little market research can help you get the best price for a part and the associated labor costs.

On average, the cost of replacing a camshaft position sensor is around $75 to $120. This price can vary depending on which supplier you buy it from, where you live, and which company makes the sensor.

If you don’t replace the camshaft position sensor yourself, the labor cost of replacement would be an additional $30 to $130, depending on which car dealer you get it repaired by. If you were to replace it yourself, the cost of replacement would be nearly half that amount. It can be easily replaced using the tools you most likely already have.

Is it possible to replace a camshaft position sensor on your own?

Replacing a car’s windshield is an easy and cost-effective way to save yourself the minimum labor fee that a repair shop or dealership may charge you. It should take about 5-10 minutes to do.

Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Locate the sensor. It’s usually on the top, front, or rear part of the engine. It will likely have a 2-3 wire connector attached.
Release the tab on the sensor to disconnect the wires from the sensor.
Remove the mounting bolt which attaches the sensor to the engine. It’s usually an 8mm or 10mm bolt.
Pull the sensor off with a slight twist.
Apply a bit of engine oil to the o-ring of the new senor.
Install the new camshaft position sensor and secure with the mounting bolt.
Reconnect the wire connector to the sensor.
Reconnect the negative battery terminal.

Tip

If the mechanic is not specifically asked to check the camshaft position sensor, they will not do so.

If you are experiencing any of the warning signs listed above, please let your mechanic know so they can inspect the camshaft position sensor. If it is determined that the camshaft position sensor is causing these issues, it may be replaced as a quick fix.

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F.A.Q about “how to check if camshaft position sensor is bad”

How do you test a camshaft?

What does a bad camshaft sound like?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, your camshaft may be faulty: frequent backfiring, popping, cylinder misfires at low and high speeds, and if your cam lobes are worn out you may hear tapping or ticking noises from the engine.

What happens if my camshaft is bad?

If your camshaft position sensor is not functioning properly, it will lose the ability to quickly transfer data. This can lead to problems with fuel delivery and ignition timing, even if they are only a few milliseconds off. This could result in poor driving performance, loss of power, stalls or even vehicle shutdowns.

Can you drive with a bad camshaft?

It is safe to drive your vehicle with a bad camshaft sensor, but the performance of your engine may not be as good and fuel consumption may increase. In some cases, the camshaft may need replacement if there are any other symptoms of failure on this component.

What causes a camshaft to go bad?

If a connecting rod or other rotating part breaks, it can cause the camshaft to break. This usually happens after a short time of use because of a crack or fracture in the cam caused by rough handling during shipping or improper installation.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is likely that the CPS is bad and should be replaced. Keep in mind that not all of these symptoms may be indicative of a bad CPS, so it is important to have your car checked by a mechanic. If you have any questions or would like more information on how to check if the CPS is bad, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to help.