Harry Gibson on August 23, 2022 No Comments
The camshaft position sensor location usually depends upon the engine’s make, model, and design. This article will not only educate you about the location, symptoms, and how to get rid of this problem. The camshaft position sensor is one of those car parts that car owners do not think about until they break.
The camshaft position sensor location is something that a lot of people do not know. They might not know even what it does. This cam sensor is responsible for monitoring the motion of the camshaft and sending all the data to the electronic control module. If it is not hooked up properly, the car may not start up or even run smoothly.
A camshaft position sensor regulates how much fuel enters the combustion chamber, ignition timing, and several other things. That is why in this article we pinpoint all the information you need to know about your car’s camshaft position sensor.
- What Is A Camshaft?
- Camshaft Position Sensor
- Camshaft Position Sensor Location
- Camshaft Position Sensor Symptoms
- P0365 Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Bank 1 Location
- P0345 Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 2 Location
- Camshaft vs Crankshaft
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Camshaft
A camshaft is a part of a car that is literally, as the name suggests, a shaft on which the cams of an engine are installed. The camshaft is usually mounted on a bearing in the lower section of an engine’s cylinder block. This is most common in in-line engines. In some engines, the camshaft can also be placed on the cylinder head.
This device in a car’s engine is responsible for changing the rotary motion of the camshaft into a linear motion. It is also responsible for changing the motion of the follower or the filter. The follower riding on the cams will move away from or towards the camshaft as the cam rotates.
A camshaft is also in charge of opening the valves. A camshaft has several cams attached to it (two for each cylinder), one to more the inlet valve and the other to operate the exhaust valve.
Camshaft Position Sensor
The camshaft position sensor is an electronic device used in an engine that measures the rotation and the position of the camshaft. It is responsible for feeding the data about the camshaft to the vehicle’s electronic control module (ECM).
The ECM then uses this data to interpret when to command spark and fuel for the optimum efficiency of the engine. When this air-fuel mixture is ignited at the right time, the engine power and fuel saving reach optimum levels. Alongside that, the tailpipe emissions are also reduced which is important for the environment.
When we talk about the modern types of engines, the camshaft position sensor analyses which cylinder is in its power stroke relative to the camshaft position. It then provides fuel and sparks to start the engine and deliver power when you step on the accelerator.
The camshaft position sensor, as the name suggests is typically placed near the camshaft. It might be extremely small and might not sound so important, but it is extremely important for the smooth and efficient working of your vehicle.
Camshaft Position Sensor Location
As said before the camshaft position sensor is one of the most important pieces used in modern engines. It is responsible for the smooth and efficient functioning of your vehicle. That is why knowing the camshaft position sensor location is important.
A vehicle can not run properly if the car’s crankshaft position sensor is faulty or malfunctioning. So usually when this is the case, it is always better to replace the sensor to ensure the proper running of your car. To do this you need to know the camshaft position sensor location on your vehicle.
The location of this sensor is not fixed or common in all vehicles. The sensor can be found in different places based on the type, make, and model of your vehicle. To know more about the exact location of this sensor you need to check the owner’s manual of your car.
Even though the position of this sensor differs from car to car, it commonly should be placed along the axis of the camshaft. It is usually in the front back or the side of the engine where the sensor can easily face the teeth of the camshaft rotor.
As said before the sensor can be located in several places. It can be under the hood or buried under the engine components. In this case, a repair manual is the best thing to help you find the camshaft position sensor location.
Camshaft Position Sensor Symptoms
A bad or malfunctioning camshaft position sensor might not cause your car to break down but it definitely will affect the efficient working of your car. It can cause poor performance and might be the reason why your engine is misfiring. There are several signs that your camshaft position sensor is malfunctioning. But here are some of the most common symptoms that are faced by a car with a faulty camshaft position sensor.
Camshaft Position Sensor Location, Symptoms #1: Check Engine Light
When your car is facing a malfunctioning or faulty camshaft position sensor, the most common symptom you are going to notice is the illuminated check engine light. Obviously, there are several interpretations of the check engine light, it might not definitely be a bad camshaft position sensor. So you have to keep your eyes open for the other symptoms as well.
So when you’re facing a check engine light, the first thing you got to do is get an OBD2 scan tool. This will help you retrieve the diagnostic trouble codes that your car is facing. You can also take your car to a mechanic to get it thoroughly checked.
A mechanic will also use an OBD 2 reader to get more information on the check engine light. When you connect the OBD2 reader, it will indicate what the real problem is being faced by your vehicle.
Ignoring or postponing a check engine light is never a good idea. You need to get the check engine light checked as soon as possible. A check engine light doesn’t tell you what is wrong with the car hence you might miss something important that might end up damaging your car.
Camshaft Position Sensor Location, Symptoms #2: Ignition Problems
Another symptom faced by people is the ignition problems that come with a bad camshaft position sensor. As this sensor starts having problems and malfunctioning, the data transmitting a signal to the car’s computer weakens as well.
This means that after a point in time the data being sent to the car’s ECU will become weak. This would further cause the car to not start as there will be no spark from the ignition.
Camshaft Position Sensor Location, Symptoms #3: Car Jerking Or Surging
Another symptom of a malfunctioning or faulty camshaft position sensor is that the driving conditions will deteriorate. If you are driving your vehicle and the camshaft position sensor starts to fail, it can be extremely unsafe. The engine on your car can lose power randomly causing your car to jerk. There can also be a surge in power causing the engine to randomly move forward.
This can be a result of an improper amount of air-fuel ratio being injected into the combustion chamber. This happens because the PCM is getting incorrect information from the camshaft position sensor.
Camshaft Position Sensor Location, Symptoms #4: A Stalling Engine
A car jerking is already an extremely unsafe symptom faced due to a bad camshaft position sensor. A stalling engine is even worse than that and it can be extremely unsafe. Not being able to start your car can be really challenging, but your car shutting off while driving is even worse. This can be extremely unsafe for you and the people around you.
This usually happens due to the fact that there is no data being sent to the fuel injectors to actually release fuel for combustion. This happens due to the weak signal sent by the broken camshaft position sensor. This is a very scary situation to be in.
Camshaft Position Sensor Location, Symptoms #5: Poor Acceleration
As said before some of the symptoms include stalling engines and a rough drive, this will also lead to poor acceleration and not a smooth drive. Poor acceleration is another system that is faced by the cars that are facing a malfunctioning camshaft position sensor.
The poor power delivery from the engine is due to the fact that the sensor sends weak signals to the ECM and it further fails to send information to the fuel injectors. The poor acceleration is due to incorrect fuel delivery by the injectors. The acceleration will be extremely low you would be lucky if you could even pass 30 miles per hour.
Camshaft Position Sensor Location, Symptoms #6: Problems Shifting
Another problem or symptom faced by cars that have a malfunctioning camshaft position sensor is the problem of shifting. Certain models of cars facing this problem end up with a locked transmission that stays stuck in a single gear. The only way to get out of this is to turn off the engine, wait a bit and then try to restart it.
This is still only a temporary solution and the problem will reappear so replacement of this sensor is absolutely important. The only way to fix this is to be permanent. Alongside that, your vehicle will put itself into something called the “limp mode”. This mode will not allow you to shift gears or accelerate beyond a certain point.
Camshaft Position Sensor Location, Symptoms #7: Bad Fuel Mileage
Just like a broken or malfunctioning sensor causes the fuel injector to release little to no fuel into the combustion chamber, it can also deliver more fuel than it needs to. This happens because of an inaccurate reading from a bad camshaft position sensor. More fuel is unnecessarily injected into the engine causing the economy to drop.
P0365 Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Bank 1 Location
The error code P0365 usually signifies that there has been a lack of voltage detected from the camshaft position sensor B in bank 1. This error code pops in the few seconds of your engine starting. The camshaft position sensor is responsible for noting the rate at which the camshaft is spinning.
It also helps the ECU to control things like the fuel injectors and the engine timing. You need to know that the “B” means that the sensor is located on the exhaust side of your cylinder head. Bank 1 means that the sensor is located in the engine bank with cylinder 1.
There are several things that might cause the error code P0135 on your car. Here are some of the most common causes that might help you.
- A faulty or malfunctioning camshaft position sensor
- Sometimes there is an oil leak near the sensors. It can seep into the sensor and damage wiring or the connections. This can cause the sensor to malfunction.
- Is there an electrical short in the sensor circuit
- Faulty PCM (this is extremely rare)
- The crank shaft position sensor broke or failed (replace with the camshaft position sensor as a set)
P0345 Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 2 Location
The error code P0345 stands for the camshaft position sensor “A” circuit bank 2 malfunctioning. Bank 2 means that the sensor is placed on the opposite side of the engine near the fourth cylinder. This code refers to an issue with the camshaft position sensor circuit. This circuit is the back 2 which is nowhere near cylinder 1.
The error code P0345 is triggered when the powertrain control module finds an issue with the signal or a total lack of signal from the CMP sensor. The camshaft position sensor measures the exact rotational position and speed of the camshaft. This data is further gathered by the camshaft position sensor. This is extremely important because this data is used by the electronic control module to control the ignition spark. Alongside that, it also controls the fuel injector timings.
Camshaft Vs Crankshaft
Camshafts and crankshafts sound similar and differentiating between them can be extremely difficult. Even though they sound like they are one part, they perform separate functions.
They need to work together and be well-choreographed so that your engine can run efficiently.
What Is A Camshaft
A camshaft is located on the top end of the engine. It is an extremely important part of the valve train system. It’s responsible for allowing the perfect amount of air and fuel to enter the combustion chamber and the exhaust gases to leave after the fuel has burned.
An internal combustion engine in today’s day and age can have up to four camshafts or it can be packing dual cams with four valves per cylinder. When we talk about a single-cam setup it only has one of the valves, the intake, and the exhaust.
What Is A Crankshaft
The crankshaft on the other hand is located on the other side of the camshaft. It is located at the bottom end of an engine. The crankshaft is responsible for handling, taming, and harnessing the power/force that is produced by the combustion happening inside the engine.
The violent burning of the air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber by thrusting or pushing the pistons downwards. This helps the crankshaft to rotate. This rotation is the source of the power for an engine.
How Does A Camshaft Work
A camshaft is usually driven by a crankshaft. Further on, the camshaft transfers the motion from the cams through various parts of the valve train. These parts usually include a valve lifter, pushrod, valve spring, valve, and tapper or a rocker arm. They are responsible for opening and closing the valves.
Cam lobes usually come in different shapes and sizes. These lobs are responsible for how much a calve opens and for how long it is kept open. A four-camshaft configuration engine is there for increasing power. With more valves, there can be more space for the air and fuel to enter and exhaust gases to exit. Because of the extra space, these gases can flow through more easily, which in turn creates more power.
How Does A Crankshaft Work
There are connecting rods that attach the pistons of an engine to the crankshaft. Combustion is controlled precisely by ignition and valve timing, this further exerts massive downwards pressure on the pistons. This pressure allows the crankshaft to maintain its rotational momentum. This further allows the car to move properly and without a hiccup.
How Do Camshaft And Crankshaft Work Together
The camshaft and crankshaft gears are connected to each other by a timing chain or a timing belt. The timing chain looks extremely similar to a bicycle chain and on the other hand, a timing belt is similar to a drive belt, but with teeth. They can also be connected to something called a mesh gear set which is located in the front of the engine.
To control the combustion both these parts need to be aligned to the manufacturer’s specifications so that they can work in perfect harmony. This is called valve timing. During the four-stroke combustion cycle, the crankshaft turns twice. With the movement of each piston up and down twice, the camshaft only turns once. This results in each of the valves opening one time for every two crankshaft revolutions.
This way, only the intake valves will open during the intake stroke while the other valves remain close during the compression and combustion stroke. The exhaust valves open during the exhaust stroke.
Conclusion
As said before, the camshaft position sensor location usually depends upon the engine’s make, model, and design. This article has not only informed you about the location, and symptoms but also how to get rid of this problem relating to the sensor. The camshaft position sensor is one of those car parts that car owners do not think about until they break. Hence the information available here will be enough to know everything about the sensor and its location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions concerning the camshaft position sensor location…
What Is A Camshaft
A camshaft on a vehicle is a piece of technology that is responsible for controlling what does inside and comes out of a combustion chamber. It allows the fuel and air ratio to enter the combustion chamber and then afterwords releases the exhaust fumes. It consists of several radial cams, each of them displacing intake or exhaust valves. The camshaft is connected to another piece of technology called a crankshaft via a belt, chain, or gears. This allows the ECM to control the timings on when the valve needs to be opened and further the movement of the pistons.
How To Reset Camshaft Position Sensor
The camshaft position sensor is an extremely important part of your car. It helps measure the speed and position of the camshaft. Alongside that, it also helps to make sure that the camshaft and crankshaft work together in sync. This helps to match the fuel delivery and the ignition timing for the proper functioning of the vehicle. Unfortunately, there is no set way of resetting a camshaft position sensor. The most easiest way to do that is to disconnect the battery and then connect it again. This also helps in resetting other engine problems, and one of these problems can be with the camshaft position sensor.
What Happens When A Camshaft Sensor Goes Bad
A camshaft position sensor is to make sure that the vehicle you’re driving works efficiently. It helps to make sure that the camshaft and the crankshaft work in sync for the car to work. The camshaft position sensor is an extremely important part of your car. It helps measure the speed and position of the camshaft. So if it goes bad it can be extremely problematic for your vehicle. But if it does, it is always better to know the symptoms. One of the most common symptoms of a bad camshaft sensor is the fact that your check engine light will light up. Secondly, your engine will run extremely poorly causing several problems for the driver. Another symptom on the list is that the transmission will be very rough and there will be shifting problems. The last symptom is the fact that your car will give very bad gas mileage.
