I appear to have a problem with my camshaft sensor.
I have a MY01 UK car.
If driven hard the engine management light come on when the revs hit max / near max.
The fault code is for the camshaft sensor.
After a day or so the engine light goes out on its own.

My question is, is it just a dodgy sensor, or is there something up with the camshaft? If it’s the sensor, is it easy to change and is it expensive.
What does the sensor measure? Does it measure load on the camshaft?

Any ideas please.
Thanks,
Graham.

 

the camshaft sensor measures rotational speed, which it signals to the ecu to correct engine timing.
The sensor is normally bolted through the rear timing belt cover on the passenger side right at the top, so easy enough to get at.
it may be worth unbolting it ans giving the sensor head a wipe over [gently] then refitting, as it may have some unwanted dirt or grime over the sensor head.
If it does still play up, not that expensive to replace.

 

I had the same problem on my 02 WRX. The CEL would stay on untill you did four engine starts (start engine, stop engine, etc)

The dealer told me it was the camshaft position sensor, quite common and not really a fault just sometimes the sensor can miss a rotation so on comes the light.

I got fed up with and asked for it to be changed, all done in 20 mins under warranty. Never had it come on again. I think it's quite common at around the 10000 mile mark.

Hope this helps !

[Edited by Mat Mc - 8/22/2003 12:25:31 AM]

 

Thanks.

Don't think I can claim under warranty as I have an ECU tek 3 and de-cat exhaust now.
Mat did yours only come on a high revs?
Four stop / starts sounds the same as mine.

If its easy to change and not to expensive i'll get it done.
Any idea how much it should of cost?
PS
I am still not clear were it is fitted.
Anyone got a picture showing it in position please?

Graham.

 

Hi Graham,

The first time it happened at high revs but not near the red line. The garage checked the stored error codes and said "It was at full throttle load at 82mph" Naturally I blamed it on the wife.
The car had only done 10000 miles at not even a year old.
THe dealer told me sometimes if you change gear to quickly the revs can just rise up sharpely and the sensor misses a revolution.
It sounded plausable so I left it at that. It then started to come on more frequently and the last time I was just driving at about 50mph in fourth so I asked for it to be changed.
I don't think you would have a problem on the warranty as all they check is the error code. They never drove my car.
Those mods wouldn't effect the camshaft sensor anyway. I think they are around the £100.00 mark fitted but, I could be wrong.
I did read a thread somewhere about taking it out and putting it in the freezer for a period of time. It might be worth checking that with someone in the know!

The four stop starts is just how to reset the CEL after a non major fault

Cheers

[Edited by Mat Mc - 8/22/2003 5:40:17 PM]

 

The camshaft sensor is behind the oil filling cap - on the back on the top right hand side of the engine as you look into the engine bay.

It is directly behind the cam belt covers and directly below the oil filler cap.

I would clean it - clean up the connectors and try that.

Rannoch

 

I've had mine replace twice now (2nd time on Friday 29-8-03) Symtoms exactly as you report. I wasn't aware the ECU stored MPH !!

It only takes 5 mins to change. I can't see why a dealer would reject warranty for the mod's you've got.

Ian

 

For info, just bought a camshaft sensor this weekend. £107 from a subaru dealer.
My problem was hesitation under boost. The light didn't come on but when I connected the ECU read connectors and got error code 13.

Fitted the new sensor and............... made bugger all difference. Hrmmph

 

I can't believe the sensor is really worth that much ! I think it's a £1 sensor in a £100 IM box !!! Sorry it's not helped.

Ian