Cam Position Sensor(s)

[Patrick]

Would a 3.4L engine run with only one cam position sensor? Are both needed or is one redundant?

[1999Porsche911]

There is one sensor for each bank.

[Patrick]

There is one sensor for each bank.

Thanks. I know how many there are. My question is what happens if one goes missing.

[Loren]

Probably a P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

and/or P1397 Camshaft Position Sensor 2 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

and a CEL.

[Patrick]

Probably a P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

and/or P1397 Camshaft Position Sensor 2 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

and a CEL.

Thanks, Loren. Do you think there is any way to prevent the CEL? Would the variocam work without the sensor?

[1999Porsche911]

What problems are you having and what codes are you getting. Depending on the codes, you can also have a failed actuator on one bank and the sensor is reporting correctly. P1530 / P1531 and/or P1524 / P1539 would indicate such a malfuntion.

[Patrick]

What problems are you having and what codes are you getting. Depending on the codes, you can also have a failed actuator on one bank and the sensor is reporting correctly. P1530 / P1531 and/or P1524 / P1539 would indicate such a malfuntion.

I'm not getting any codes. I am asking a question about what the sensor does, what the ECUs do with that information, and how the car would react with just one. I think your response and Loren's answer my question. Thanks.

[Loren]

One more item I would like to mention...

I think that if for some reason the cam sensor is not working and there IS a cam or cam chain problem it could be very serious (i.e. like putting a valve through a piston). On earlier Porsche's if you had a timing chain problem (or chain rail) the result was usually a bad collision of the piston and valves. I think that is why any cam sensor failure is flagged by the DME as a fault.

So, I guess I am saying you want a cam sensor and you want it working to detect any problems and warn you prior to any serious damage.

[PTEC]

The engine could potentially run with 1 cam position sensor. ROW 3.4Ls only have one sensor located on bank 1-3. For whatever reason - emissions probably - the USA vehicles also have one on 4-6. Since you're asking if both are needed you're probably in the US.

The sensor is a simple hall sensor which generates a signal from the rotor on the intake cam. The DME uses this signal mainly to determine ignition TDC of cylinder 1 but its also used for variocam system diagnosis.

So.... in US cars both are needed for proper variocam timing adjustment. As mentioned previously, if the DME didn't see one of the signals a fault would be recorded and I'm guessing the variocam system would cease working until the fault was remedied.

[brucem]

are these easy to replace? is there a trick? i have an issue iwth Bank 1 cam sensor and looking to replace it soon

[Patrick]

are these easy to replace? is there a trick? i have an issue iwth Bank 1 cam sensor and looking to replace it soon

The Bank 1 cam position sensor is at the rear of the head (car rear, most accessible), but I haven't seen how bad it looks when the engine is in the car. The other bank's is at the front of the engine.

[1999Porsche911]

are these easy to replace? is there a trick? i have an issue iwth Bank 1 cam sensor and looking to replace it soon

The Bank 1 cam position sensor is at the rear of the head (car rear, most accessible), but I haven't seen how bad it looks when the engine is in the car. The other bank's is at the front of the engine.

Sensor for Bank 2 is located in the back of the engine, behind PS pump above cylinder #4.

Edited October 9, 2006 by 1999Porsche911

[Patrick]

Sensor for Bank 2 is located in the back of the engine, behind PS pump above cylinder #4.

You are absolutely right, I was dyslexic. The bad news is that the Bank 1 sensor is the one on the front of the engine, and I don't think it's very easy to get to.

[brucem]

sometimes easier to say on drivers side or passenger side ;)

the one I need to replace is drivers side which is easy to get to, but what about taking it out? should I worry about that?

[Patrick]

sometimes easier to say on drivers side or passenger side ;)

the one I need to replace is drivers side which is easy to get to, but what about taking it out? should I worry about that?

No, Bank 1 is on the driver's side, at the front of the engine, the end nearest the transmission. I have only seen it with the engine out of the car. If you have access to it, the only thing I can think of to mention is don't re-use the O-ring. I really don't think you can get at it with the engine in the car, though.

[brucem]

sometimes easier to say on drivers side or passenger side ;)

the one I need to replace is drivers side which is easy to get to, but what about taking it out? should I worry about that?

No, Bank 1 is on the driver's side, at the front of the engine, the end nearest the transmission. I have only seen it with the engine out of the car. If you have access to it, the only thing I can think of to mention is don't re-use the O-ring. I really don't think you can get at it with the engine in the car, though.

getting to the driver side one is easy! take out the rear fender liner and it is right there! Now the passenger side one is a PAIN! even the o-ring is a pain to get at!! :cursing:

[Patrick]

sometimes easier to say on drivers side or passenger side ;)

the one I need to replace is drivers side which is easy to get to, but what about taking it out? should I worry about that?

No, Bank 1 is on the driver's side, at the front of the engine, the end nearest the transmission. I have only seen it with the engine out of the car. If you have access to it, the only thing I can think of to mention is don't re-use the O-ring. I really don't think you can get at it with the engine in the car, though.

getting to the driver side one is easy! take out the rear fender liner and it is right there! Now the passenger side one is a PAIN! even the o-ring is a pain to get at!! :cursing:

Wow. How different is your car than mine? I have no frnder liner back there, just sheet metal. I can see the cam position sensor, or at least the things around it. No way I would be able to reach it. You are not confusing it with the actuator for the variocam, which is right there, are you?

Edited October 17, 2006 by Patrick

[brucem]

sometimes easier to say on drivers side or passenger side ;)

the one I need to replace is drivers side which is easy to get to, but what about taking it out? should I worry about that?

No, Bank 1 is on the driver's side, at the front of the engine, the end nearest the transmission. I have only seen it with the engine out of the car. If you have access to it, the only thing I can think of to mention is don't re-use the O-ring. I really don't think you can get at it with the engine in the car, though.

getting to the driver side one is easy! take out the rear fender liner and it is right there! Now the passenger side one is a PAIN! even the o-ring is a pain to get at!! :cursing:

Wow. How different is your car than mine? I have no frnder liner back there, just sheet metal. I can see the cam position sensor, or at least the things around it. No way I would be able to reach it. You are not confusing it with the actuator for the variocam, which is right there, are you?

Patrick

i got a photo to upload.. maybe I think this is the wrong part :oops:

if i am wrong.. where is the cam sesnor :cursing:

[Patrick]

Patrick

i got a photo to upload.. maybe I think this is the wrong part :oops:

if i am wrong.. where is the cam sesnor :cursing:

Yes, you do have the wrong part. The cam position sensor is on the head itself (you are pointing at the valve cover), on top, almost directly above the part you are looking at. I'll try to dig up a picture when I get home this evening. Manwhile, anone else who wants to chime in (1999Porsche911) please feel free.

[brucem]

Yes, you do have the wrong part. The cam position sensor is on the head itself (you are pointing at the valve cover), on top, almost directly above the part you are looking at. I'll try to dig up a picture when I get home this evening. Manwhile, anone else who wants to chime in (1999Porsche911) please feel free.

So is that part with the wire coming out of it the Cam actuator? I replaced the gasket around it (even though it still leaks a little, that picture was taken before I replaced the part)

Loren... input??? :drive:

[Patrick]

Yes, you do have the wrong part. The cam position sensor is on the head itself (you are pointing at the valve cover), on top, almost directly above the part you are looking at. I'll try to dig up a picture when I get home this evening. Manwhile, anone else who wants to chime in (1999Porsche911) please feel free.

So is that part with the wire coming out of it the Cam actuator? I replaced the gasket around it (even though it still leaks a little, that picture was taken before I replaced the part)

Loren... input??? :drive:

Yes, I believe that is the variocam actuator. Here is the cam position sensor:

Edited October 24, 2006 by Patrick

[brucem]

Patrick, thanks for clearing that up for me :) do you have any pix of the camshaft actuator?? looks like i might have to replace that.

can anyone help?

[Patrick]

Patrick, thanks for clearing that up for me :) do you have any pix of the camshaft actuator?? looks like i might have to replace that.

can anyone help?

[brucem]

well that doesn't look like a whole lot of fun to replace :( time to get my hands dirty!!

[mtimmy]

Loren., do you have a factory part diagram for the sensor and the actuator itself?

i think I need to replace them ...