What Causes a Camshaft Position Sensor To Go Bad? Reasons

“What causes a camshaft position sensor to go bad?” is a vital question to understand since it is a vital component of the car engine management system in your vehicle. It is in charge of determining the camshaft’s position and communicating that information to the engine control module.

When this sensor malfunctions, it can cause a number of issues, such as engine misfires, stalling, and decreased fuel efficiency. The most frequent reasons why camshaft position sensors fail are covered in this article below.

What Are the Reasons for a Camshaft Position Sensor To Go Bad?

The main reasons for a camshaft position sensor to go bad include grime and oil in the engine, contamination from coolant, roadway debris, water damage, bad wiring, and overheating. Make sure to have the sensor fixed as soon as you notice it has gone bad.

– Grime and Oil in the Engine

The camshaft position sensor may malfunction as a result of oil and grime accumulation in the engine. Oil and dirt buildup on the sensor might cause it to malfunction or fail entirely, which can cause a variety of engine issues. A failing valve cover gasket or a lack of routine engine maintenance are two possible causes of this accumulation.

Misfire of engine and a check engine light are signs of a dirty camshaft position sensor. It’s possible that the engine control module doesn’t get precise information regarding the camshaft position, which might cause misfires or stuttering when accelerating. The check-engine-light may also illuminate owing to a faulty camshaft position sensor, suggesting that there is an issue with the engine management system.

Regular car engine maintenance, such as oil changes and air filter replacements, is crucial to preventing filth and oil accumulation. An engine with clean oil and air filters will operate more effectively and have less buildup on crucial engine components such as the camshaft position sensor.

Furthermore, a leaking valve cover gasket should be fixed as soon as possible to avoid oil from seeping into the engine room and damaging sensitive components. A diagnostic scan can detect any problems with the sensor or other engine components, allowing for a fast repair.

– Contamination From Coolant

Coolant contamination might potentially cause the camshaft position sensor to fail. The sensor may be damaged as a result of coolant or debris entering the cooling system. This will more likely occur as a result of a leaky radiator or a broken water pump.

Engine stalling, poor fuel efficiency, and a check-engine-light are all signs of a contaminated camshaft position sensor. The engine may stall or operate badly if the sensor is unable to precisely detect the position of the camshaft.

This can also lead to a steep decline in fuel economy. The check-engine-light may potentially illuminate as a result of a broken camshaft position sensor, signaling an issue with the engine management system.
Regularly checking the cooling system for leaks or damage is crucial to preventing coolant contamination. To avoid exposing delicate engine components to the coolant, coolant leaks should be quickly fixed.

Additionally, in order to avoid any potential engine damage, it’s critical to use the type and grade of coolant that your car is designed to run with. It’s crucial to have your car checked by a trained mechanic if you think coolant may have gotten into your camshaft position sensor.

– Roadway Debris

The camshaft position sensor might malfunction due to road debris as well. In the sensor or the wire harness, debris like pebbles or other foreign items might become stuck and harm the device or cause an electrical short.

When driving on gravel or unpaved roads, or when other vehicles on the road kick up debris, this may happen. Misfire of engine, engine stalling, and a check-engine-light are signs of a broken camshaft position sensor brought on by road debris.

Misfires or stuttering during acceleration may result from the engine control module not receiving proper information regarding the camshaft position. In more serious circumstances, the engine may stall out or fail to start at all.

The check-engine-light may potentially illuminate as a result of a broken camshaft position sensor, signaling an issue with the engine management system. It’s crucial to avoid driving on roads with loose gravel or rubble whenever feasible to minimize harm from roadway debris.

In order to avoid debris being thrown up and potentially harming crucial engine components, such as the camshaft position sensor, it is also crucial to maintain a safe and far distance from other cars on the road. If you do come across debris on the road, slow down and use caution to prevent any possible harm.

– Water Damage

The camshaft position sensor might potentially malfunction due to water damage. Flooding, a lot of rain, or driving through deep water can all cause this. When water penetrates the engine compartment, it may harm the sensor or the wire harness, leading to corrosion or an electrical short.

This may result in a sensor malfunction or full failure, which might cause an engine misfire, stalling, or an illuminated check engine light. Water damage to the sensitive electrical components of the sensor might result in faulty readings and incorrect information about the position of the camshaft being sent to the engine control module.

This can result in misfires of the engine or hesitation during acceleration, as well as engine stalling or inability to start in more severe circumstances. The check-engine-light may potentially illuminate owing to a faulty camshaft sensor, indicating an issue with the engine management system.

To avoid water damage, avoid driving through deep water, especially if it is flowing or if you are unclear about the depth. If you are living in a place that is prone to floods or severe rain, park your car in a secure and dry spot, such as a garage or carport. If you come across some water on the road, slow down and drive carefully to avoid any potential harm.

– Bad Wiring

A defective camshaft position sensor can also frequently be caused by bad wiring. The electrical transmission to the sensor may be disturbed over time if the wiring suffers from corrosion or damage. As a result of this, the engine control module may get data that are faulty and the camshaft position may not be correctly reported.

It could occasionally be necessary to change the wire harness itself to address the problem. Other electrical difficulties with the car, such as faults with the battery, alternator, or other sensors, may also be because of a broken or defective wire harness.

It’s critical to maintain the wiring in your car in order to avoid problems. Any broken or corroded wire may be found and fixed with regular inspections and maintenance before it becomes a greater problem.

A further way to lessen damage to the wire harness is to steer clear of difficult driving situations, such as those involving intense heat or off-roading. Depending on the make type and model of your car, the crankshaft position sensor replacement cost may vary, so be thoroughly sure to ask your technician for a precise estimate.

– Overheating

Another probable reason for a bad camshaft position sensor is overheating. The camshaft position sensor can become damaged when the engine overheats, along with other engine parts. The sensor may malfunction as a result of the high temperatures, giving off erroneous data and perhaps causing the engine to misfire or stall.

In extreme circumstances, the engine can even not start. It’s crucial to do routine maintenance, such as oil changes and coolant flushes, to avoid overheating. Additionally, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the engine temperature indicator and, if at all possible, steer clear of hot temperatures when you’re behind the wheel.

It’s crucial to have your car checked out by an experienced mechanic if you feel that the camshaft sensor is malfunctioning as a result of overheating. They can carry out a diagnostic scan to identify the underlying cause or root of the issue and suggest the required fixes. The camshaft position sensor may even need to be changed in some circumstances in order to fix the problem.

Conclusion

Sensor failure may be avoided with routine engine maintenance and early identification of any problems.

To summarize the main ideas that we have discussed here:

• There are several factors, such as oil and filth in the engine, coolant contamination, etc., that might cause a camshaft position sensor to malfunction.
• The check-engine-light, misfire of engine, bad fuel efficiency, engine stalling, and other problems might be signs of a bad camshaft position sensor.
• It is crucial to have your car evaluated if you think there may be an ongoing problem with the camshaft position sensor.
• Depending on the make type and model of your car, replacing the camshaft position sensor can be pricey, but it’s usually not too expensive.

In conclusion, if you experience any of the typical symptoms listed in our what causes a camshaft position sensor to go bad article, it is crucial to get your car checked out by a skilled mechanic so they can identify and fix the issue.