Your Volvo’s camshaft position sensor can encounter wear-and-tear problems during its lifespan. While it is a minor component of your vehicle’s engine, it can cause annoyances with your engine’s performance at a minimum and severe engine damage at its worst.
Let’s discuss the purpose of the camshaft position sensor in your Volvo, signs of camshaft position sensor failure, causes of position camshaft sensor failure, and how to fix it.
The Purpose of Camshaft Position Sensor
The camshaft position sensor is responsible for optimizing ignition timing and also fuel injection, which is a part of the ignition process. It monitors the firing of cylinders in order to conduct proper ignition timing and it relays data to your car’s engine control unit.
The camshaft position sensor works simultaneously with the oxygen sensor and other engine sensors in order for your Volvo’s engine to perform optimally. While the camshaft position sensor is just a small component of your vehicle and its engine, if damaged, it can cause severe engine damage if not replaced in a timely manner.
Recognizable Signs of Camshaft Position Sensor Failure
Should you encounter any of the below issues with your vehicle, you’ll want to take it in to your trusted Volvo mechanic:
- Check Engine Light: When your check engine light pops on your dashboard, it’s easy to blow it off initially if you don’t detect a problem with your vehicle. But to protect the longevity of your car and its engine, the best thing you can do is take your car for an inspection and diagnosis as soon as possible. A camshaft position sensor is a cheap and easy fix, but a damaged engine is not.
- Problems Starting Your Car: Similar to other engine parts issues, you may find yourself struggling to start your car or unable to start it altogether. The camshaft position sensor streamlines your vehicle’s ignition, so without it working properly, you will likely have a hard time starting your car, and that’s a problem nobody has time to deal with. You’ll definitely want to take your car in immediately if you experience starting problems.
- Engine Performance Issues: When your camshaft position sensor fails, you’ll likely experience a loss of power while driving, engine stalling, misfiring, surging, or issues while shifting gears. Often these performance issues happen with no prior warning and are the first indication of camshaft position sensor failure. All of these performance issues are serious and you should not drive your car further until having it checked thoroughly and the problem diagnosed and resolved.
Causes of Camshaft Position Sensor Failure
There are various causes of camshaft position sensor failure, but these are the most common:
- Wear and Tear: The most common cause of camshaft position sensor failure is wear-and-tear. Just as any other car part is susceptible to natural degradation, so is the camshaft position sensor. It can get dirty, become water-damaged or oil-damaged, or just outright fail after so many years of prolonged use. It is a Volvo owner’s responsibility to check and replace these components as they age.
- Car Accident: The camshaft position sensor can become damaged as the result of a car accident or collision.
- Damaged Sensor Wires: If the sensor wires are damaged, it causes the engine’s computer to stop working correctly.
- Other Engine Component Problems: If your engine has other components already experiencing problems that are not addressed in a timely manner, it can cause your camshaft position sensor to fail as a secondary problem.
The bottom line: Always take your Volvo in for routine care and maintenance, and schedule an appointment if the check engine light goes on or if you suspect any problems.
Where to Fix Your Volvo’s Camshaft Position Sensor
If you suspect camshaft position sensor failure in your Volvo, Hayes European is here to help. We service the Santa Cruz, Aptos, Soquel, and Capitola, CA areas and can easily fix your camshaft position sensor.
We specialize in European model cars, including the Volvo, and our highly skilled technicians only use top quality parts for repairs. Call to schedule your appointment today and we’ll get your Volvo back on the road quickly with confidence in your Volvo again.