Camshaft Sensor Issue

My 2015 Lexus RX with a gasoline engine is having trouble starting, stalls at idle, and the check engine light is on at 137881 kilometers. Diagnostics suggest a defective camshaft sensor, possibly from a faulty encoder wheel. Has anyone seen this before? I'm wondering about ignition timing or how to confirm the sensor failure before replacing it.

4 comment(s)

I have a Lexus RX, and this sounds familiar. Did you check for fault codes related to the camshaft position? A failing sensor can cause stalling and rough starts. Check the sensor wiring and connectors before assuming the sensor is bad. If you replace the sensor, do you need to adjust the camshaft position to maintain correct ignition timing?

I got a fault code for the camshaft sensor. The wiring looks okay. I'm not sure if the fault is the sensor or the encoder wheel. Did you have to replace the encoder wheel, or just the sensor? Also, do I need to adjust camshaft position or ignition timing after replacing the sensor, assuming the mechanical timing is fine?

In my case, a sensor replacement fixed it. But with your mileage and suspicion of the encoder wheel, get a professional opinion. Sensor replacement is easy, but the encoder wheel could be complex. I'd consult a trusted workshop.

Thanks for the advice. I'll take it to a workshop. The estimated cost for sensor replacement and diagnostics is about 695€. I'll report back when it's done. Thanks again.

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