In the text below, each of the symptoms listed will be explained so you can get a clearer picture of the problem affecting the camshaft position sensor. In most cases, the check engine light will illuminate alongside one or more of the symptoms. The most common symptoms that occur are the following:Īll these symptoms may appear individually or together. Symptoms Of A Bad Camshaft Position SensorĪs a camshaft position sensor plays an important role, many issues can arise if it is bad. If it turns out that the camshaft is not functioning properly, your car could have problems starting, accelerating, or stalling. The engine control unit and camshaft, together with its sensor, ensure that the appropriate amount of fuel and air is added to the combustion chamber and that it ignites at exactly the right moment. The camshaft position sensor sends information to the engine control unit which in turn uses that information to power the engine. Just as the crankshaft works together with the camshaft, so do their respective sensors. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about a bad camshaft position sensor, including the replacement cost and diagnostics. If the camshaft position sensor is faulty, the synchronous process may be disrupted, causing multiple symptoms. This is important as the crankshaft also determines the positioning of the pistons, synchronizing the entire process. The camshaft is connected to the crankshaft by a timing belt or timing chain. It can be a bit tricky to distinguish the camshaft from the crankshaft, not only due to their similar names but also because they work together. Given that the camshaft is in charge of perhaps the most important task in the car, which is determining the intake and exhaust rate, many symptoms may appear if something is defective. It may also drive other components such as the fuel pump, oil pump, and power steering pump. Its main task is to operate the intake and exhaust valves. The camshaft is a very important component of a car’s engine.