Bought new porsche, have 2 check engine lights

[svt cobra]

I just bought a porsche boxster, and I have two OBD two codes:

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

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

Any idea what could cause this? How hard are they to replace, and can any damage be caused while driving with these codes on?

Thanks for any advance. I have a 99 boxster.

:renntech:

[Loren]

I think it is doubtful that both sensors would go bad at the same time.

I think I would start by checking the wiring.

[Rodger]

Does the car run OK? Has any engine work been done that involves the timing chain? It almost sounds like maybe the timing is off.

[svt cobra]

Does the car run OK? Has any engine work been done that involves the timing chain? It almost sounds like maybe the timing is off.

It seems to run Ok, studders alittle bit when I give it gas at lower RPMs in lower gears, like shakes back and forth slightly. Alot of engine work was done by the previous owner at dealerships, but I'm not sure if it involves the timing chain. How would I check the wiring? Is this something I should let the shop work on?

[svt cobra]

I pulled it into my shop, and they looked at it. It appears as if you need special tools to get to these, and my work has no experience in porsches. Do you think the dealer is the best way to go?

[Loren]

As I said before I think it is doubtful that both sensors would go bad at the same time.

If you do not have confidence in your shop take it to a qualified dealer.

[Topless]

Check the sensor wires. Sounds like loose wires, chewed by rodent, heat damaged insulation etc.

[dendux07]

Check the sensor wires. Sounds like loose wires, chewed by rodent, heat damaged insulation etc.

REVISED 10/26 >>>

I have a similar problem w/my recently purcahsed 1999 Boxster [154000 miles but w/facotry replaced engine at 93000 miles ; are all the sensors 'new' w/engine they do? I am assuming so from what I've read...]; I tried to do a wire continuity check from each Cam Sensor [Hall sensor] back to the ECU connector, using a wiring diagram from this site >>

http://www.cannell.co.uk/Manuals.htm ...

per that wiring schematic [sheet 190-192 of 225] I get a good connection/wire to Pin 21 on the ECU from Pin 2

on each CSensor...... BUT I get continuity from Pins 1 & 3 of each CSensor to ECU Pin 34 AT THE SAME TIME [ these are each supposedly separate circuits I think, either 5V power [from ECU pin 34] or sensor ground [ECU 53]............. SAME readings when I connect a meter to ECU pin 53, both Pins 1 & 3 again continuity at the SAME TIME also ............

I'll confuse this more, as the wiring diagram also shows these CSensor grounds & power also tie into the Throttle Body sensor ground & power; so I pulled the plug off it [above test were WITH PLUG ON ].... now the Driver-side Cam Sensor has NO continutiy on either of the 1 & 3 pins to either ECU pin 34 or 53 !!! PSSGR-SIDE CSensor has same readings [continuity] as first tests ..... WEIRD?

I now see in the wiring diagram that there is a Differential Pressure Sensor that also uses the common Power & Ground for all 4 items!

same CEL codes come back after driving a mile or so [.... and possibly a MAFSensor 'pending' code P0100 sometimes shows in may scan tool]....

HELP!!! any ideas on these 'shorted' readings? no wire damage areas that I can see anywhere...

WILL I DAMAGE THE ENGINE DRIVING ANY MAJOR DISTANCE W/THESE CEL's for the CSensor?

any help is again appreciated......

[not as simple to work on 'electrically' as my 1977 Slantnose Widebody 911S!!!!]

thx,

DUX

STATUS OF REPAIR >>> 10/29/2007

finally located that Diff Press Sensor .... it is at the gas tank inlet! so disconnected the X3/1 connector that feeds power & ground to it located in the trunk left of the ECU], as well as the other 3 connectors to 2 Cam Sensors & throttle body .... then tested all wires for continuity from each plug back to the ECU related pins; ALL OK! checked codes again after reconnecting everything & all but "CSensor bank 1" code P0341 were now cleared. So without dropping the engine I was able to remove the Oil Seperator unit with tight access thru the wheel well [you need to pretty flexible to do this!!], but got the sensors off [held in by one 5mm socket head screw] ,,,,, once installed & driven around for a 20 minute run each day for 2 days, no return of any codes!!!

keep up the great posts & replies all,

Dux

UPDATE >>> 11/10/2007

drove from Cleveland to Hays, KS [on way home to Denver] in 19 hrs straight-thru; car ran superb all the way........ got between 28 & 31 MPG at the posted speeds ..... not a single glitch or CEL issue !

Edited November 14, 2007 by dendux07