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How many camshaft position sensors are there?

Most vehicles have one or two camshaft position sensors. The number of camshaft position sensors depends on the engine design and configuration of the vehicle.


What is a Camshaft Position Sensor?

A camshaft position sensor is an electronic device that monitors the position and rotational speed of the engine's camshaft. This information is used by the vehicle's engine control unit (ECU) to precisely time the opening and closing of the engine's intake and exhaust valves. Accurate camshaft position data is critical for proper engine operation and performance.


Single Camshaft vs. Dual Camshaft Engines

  • Single Camshaft Engines: These engines have one camshaft and typically only require one camshaft position sensor. The sensor is usually located near the front or rear of the camshaft.

  • Dual Camshaft Engines: These engines have two camshafts - one for the intake valves and one for the exhaust valves. Dual camshaft engines will have two camshaft position sensors, one for each camshaft.


The number of camshaft position sensors can also vary based on the specific engine design and manufacturer. Some engines may have additional sensors for redundancy or to provide more precise camshaft position data to the ECU.

How many camshaft position sensors are on a car?


one for each cam that has VVT so two or four. I know of no engine that has 3 cam position sensors.



What kills a camshaft sensor?


Reasons for failure of the camshaft sensor can be: Mechanical damage. Break in the encoder wheel. Internal short circuits.



Is P0340 bank 1 or bank 2?


OBD2 Diagnostic Trouble Code P0340 indicates that the Camshaft Position Sensor 'A' Circuit Malfunction in Bank 1 has been detected. The camshaft position sensor (CMP sensor) provides information regarding the rotational speed of the camshaft and where the camshaft is positioned in relationship to the crankshaft.



How do I know which camshaft sensor is bad?


Signal Test: - While the engine is running, use the multimeter to check the output signal from the sensor. You should see a varying voltage signal as the camshaft rotates. If there's no signal or it's a constant voltage, the sensor may be faulty.



Will an engine run with a bad camshaft sensor?


Car Will Not Start: Over time, as the camshaft position sensor fails, the signal it sends to the engine control module weakens. When the engine no longer receives the signal, you will not be able to start your car. Engine Misfires: A failing camshaft position sensor can cause your engine to misfire.



What are three top common reasons to determine when the crankshaft position sensor is failing?


Early Symptoms of a Crankshaft Sensor Going Out

  • Check engine light illuminating on your dashboard.
  • Difficulty starting engine or stalling while driving.
  • Rough idling and engine misfires.



Can I just replace a camshaft position sensor?


The small but extremely important cam sensor can range from about $15 on some vehicles to several hundred dollars on others. Fortunately, it's often an easy part to change, and it will have your engine running well immediately after the repair.



Which camshaft sensor is A or B?


An inline six is organized as two banks (cylinders 1-3 & 4-6), so there is a Bank 1 & Bank 2. But in this case both cam sensors are on bank 1 (at the front of the engine) and there's an A (intake) and B (exhaust) sensor.



Is it OK to drive with P0340 code?


Drivers may have trouble starting their engine if it will even start at all. If the driver can operate their vehicle, they could lose power while on the road. Ultimately, it is not safe nor recommended to drive with a P0340 error code or any code that signifies a camshaft malfunction.



Are there 2 camshaft position sensors?


The camshaft position sensor, of which there are two, are located in the heads. One head has its sensor at the front of the engine and the other head has its sensor at the back of the engine.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.