How To Reset Camshaft Position Sensor In 2022? [ Step By Step Guide ]

The camshaft position sensor of your car is one of the vehicle’s most crucial components. This component is responsible for gauging the position and speed of the car’s camshaft.

This way, it ensures that there is a proper coordination with the crankshaft. In the process, it helps match the ignition and fuel-delivery timings, helping the engine function normally.

You might have to reset the camshaft position sensor if you recently changed the camshaft.

You might also have to reset it if you have done any repairs to fix your car’s ignition. Also, drivers need to reset the camshaft position sensor in case they replace other system parts like the timing belt or timing chain.

How to reset camshaft position sensor?

You simply need to disconnect your car’s battery to reset the camshaft position sensor. This trick would also work when you try to reset any common engine or sensor issues.

Even resetting the crankshaft position sensor requires you to do the same thing. Using a wrench, you need to remove the link with the negative battery cable.

Now, you simply need to wait out an hour as the ECU (engine control unit) resets. This would also clear any of the error codes for the faulty camshaft position.

To ensure that you have a foolproof mechanism, remove the connection with both the positive and negative cables of the battery. Now establish a connection between both these cables.

Try to turn on the headlights of your car after getting into it. Once you do, let them remain on for 15 minutes. This way, you would be draining away the power that flows through the electric connections.

Now reconnect the battery with the positive connection first and then proceed to the negative. The ECU will carry out a thorough reclean that would enable you to detect the new camshaft position sensor and connect it.

Also, you might have replaced the camshaft position recently. Despite this, you may get a code. This solution would work for you in these situations. This process should work even if you are not carrying an OBD-II scanner with you.

When you disconnect the terminals and then reconnect them again, it clears the present condition of the software. This includes any of the error codes as well.

When you turn the connection on, it loses all its past memory. The car’s computer starts operating its processes right from the first stage. This ensures that the system would function normally like before.

If you have installed your car with an anti-theft system, make sure to have the respective code before you disconnect the battery. You can easily locate this code on a small placard. Usually, this is present in the user manual or behind the door.

Now, if this solution doesn’t help, you would need an OBD-II scanner to reset the camshaft position sensor.

Resetting your camshaft position sensor using a scanner

Automotive professionals and mechanics habitually address camshaft position sensor issues using an OBD-II scanner. These scanners have the ability to get different systems reprogrammed in your car. A good scanner can find viable solutions even if your car is old. Follow these steps to reset the camshaft position sensor using a scanner.

• Connect the component to the car’s OBD port at the outset.
• Put the key to the ON position without starting your car’s engine.
• In the scanner’s display, you would find the car’s make. You need to select this, or let the system automatically detect it. It would scan the VIN of your car to do the needful.
• To enable your system to load data, choose the ‘Manual Selection’ option.
• Now choose the respective model year of your car.
• Now move on to ‘Diagnostics’ and then click on ‘Control Unit’.
• You will find the details about the transmission and engine of your car by clicking on ‘Powertrain’.
• Now click on ‘Engine Control Module’.
• Next, move on to the option ‘Special Function’.
• You can reset the crankshaft and camshaft sensors by clicking on ‘Cam crank relearn’.
• Now try starting the engine of your car. You need to reach the optimal operating temperature by revving your car.

What are the symptoms of a bad camshaft sensor?

In case you have a malfunctioning camshaft position sensor, your car would experience certain problems with its performance. Therefore, you can tell whether the camshaft sensor has gone bad by observing these symptoms.

1. Check engine light

If one or more of the components in your engine goes bad, the check engine light would show up on your car’s dashboard. So, you will get to know by observing the light that the camshaft sensor is not working properly.

If you have this issue, you will commonly get the error code P0340. In these situations, you will find the scanner telling you that there is a malfunction in the camshaft position sensor.

2. Ignition problems

The function of the camshaft sensor is to monitor the angle and position of the camshaft. The ECU keeps receiving updates from the sensor. Accordingly, it makes necessary calculations to moderate the fuel injection and control injection.

In case the sensor is problematic, the ECU would receive erratic information. So, the car would encounter trouble while starting and fail to initiate the spark to ignite the engine.

3. Low mileage

A bad camshaft position sensor would reflect in terms of poor fuel economy. Inside the combustion chamber, there might be an excess of fuel delivery if the sensor malfunctions. This implies that you need to visit the refueling station more frequently.

If the sensor gives a wrong reading to the ECU, it would direct extra fuel to the engine. This results in fuel wastage, as the engine doesn’t need so much fuel in reality. Eventually, your car would burn this excess fuel, and you would experience low mileage issues.

4. Problems in acceleration

Poor performance of the car’s engine reflects in terms of slow acceleration. A malfunctioning camshaft position sensor would lead to poor fuel delivery into your car’s engine. As a result, you might encounter acceleration issues.

The car might sometimes jerk forward as the engine loses its power. Drivers also report hearing some sputtering. To resolve these issues, you need to inspect the camshaft position sensor.

5. Stalling of the engine

Sometimes, the ignition timing and fuel delivery in your car might be completely off, resulting in the engine to stop. In these situations, the fuel injectors cannot send fuel at the right time to the combustion chamber.

So, when you drive, the engine comes to a halt or dies. As the camshaft sensor continues to deteriorate, the signals it dispatches to the car’s computer weaken. So, the engine tends to turn off in your car.

Should you clean a camshaft sensor?

All the components connected to your car need periodic maintenance. This applies to the camshaft sensor as well. You can easily clean this component with some basic knowledge.

• Firstly, disconnect the engine and the battery. This implies that the electronic and electrical circuits would be off.
• The sensor would have three cables, which you need to disconnect. Next, use a cleaning solution to remove the contamination from the sensor. Now, you need to reconnect these cables when it becomes dry.
• Now you need to reconnect the wire location and the sensor. The system would operate normally when you connect the battery.

Therefore, cleaning the camshaft sensor would be relatively easy. You need to get the component cleaned periodically.

Conclusion

Resetting the camshaft position sensor in your car can be relatively easy when you have an OBD-II scanner tool. It is easy to diagnose the issue with these smart devices.

Besides, car owners need to clean the camshaft sensor periodically, as outlined in this article. Now that you know the signs of a bad camshaft position sensor, you can easily detect the problem when it affects your car.