Alfa 159 Camshaft Sensor Issues: Fix & Cost Guide

Had the same issue on my Alfa 156 1.9 JTD. The symptoms were identical, rough idle, starting problems, and intermittent power loss. The check engine light came on during highway driving. The camshaft position sensor was indeed faulty, causing engine misfire and timing issues. The repair involved replacing both the sensor and its wiring harness since corrosion had damaged the connector. This is a known weak point on these engines. While not a complex repair, proper diagnosis is crucial since similar symptoms can come from other causes. The camshaft sensor works with the engine management system to control valve timing. When it fails, it disrupts the entire fuel injection sequence. In my case, the wiring degradation made it a more serious fix than just swapping the sensor. The mechanic had to repair some corroded pins in the ECU connector as well. These issues tend to appear between 70,000-90,000km on these models. Make sure they check the wiring harness condition when replacing the sensor. A proper repair should include testing the new sensor operation with diagnostic equipment to confirm the timing issues are resolved.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Indeed, I had a similar stalling engine problem with my Alfa 159. The automotive sensor replacement fixed it completely, and the car has been running smoothly for months now. Would you mind sharing how much the repair cost in your case? Also, have you experienced any related issues since the fix? Just want to make sure I can budget accordingly and watch out for potential recurring problems with the camshaft sensor.

Happy to report I got the camshaft sensor issue sorted last month. My local mechanic traced it to a faulty cable connection rather than the sensor itself, which saved some money. The repair cost was 95 Euro for fixing the wiring and checking all connections. The rough idling and engine misfire problems disappeared completely after the fix. Running perfectly now with no stalling engine issues or check engine warnings for over a month. The automotive sensor diagnostic was worth every penny since it pinpointed the exact problem. No recurring issues since the repair, the engine starts right up and maintains steady power. Just make sure your mechanic thoroughly checks the wiring harness and connections when doing sensor-related repairs. This type of repair usually costs more when the entire sensor needs replacement, so I was lucky it was just the wiring. Always good to have them verify the sensor readings with proper diagnostic equipment after any repair work.

Thanks for the follow-up. Just wanted to share how my repair went. Took it to a shop specializing in engine diagnostics. The mechanic found both a failing camshaft sensor and corroded wiring, total repair came to 280 Euro. Initially worried about timing issues returning, but its been running great for 3 months now. No more rough idling or power loss. The engine misfire problems are completely gone. The diagnostic fee was worth it since they caught the wiring problem before it caused more damage. Really glad I asked here first, helped me avoid getting overcharged and knew exactly what to expect. The check engine light hasnt come back on since. Thanks again for the advice!