Dodge 700 Starting Issues Point to Bad Cam Sensor

Had almost the exact same issue with my 2018 Dodge 750 about 6 months ago. With some experience working on cars, I initially thought it was the crankshaft sensor, but after proper diagnostics, the workshop found it was actually a defective encoder wheel on the camshafts. The symptoms were identical, longer cranking time, occasional stalling at idle, and the check engine light was constantly illuminated. The workshop ran a full sensor testing sequence and discovered the camshaft sensor was receiving irregular signals due to the damaged encoder wheel. Total repair cost came to 695€, which included diagnostics, parts, and labor. They had to remove quite a few components to access the camshafts, but the repair resolved all issues completely. The car has been running perfectly since then. What engine variant does your 700 have? Also, have you had the diagnostic codes read? This information would help confirm if you are dealing with the same issue. Sometimes similar symptoms can be caused by different sensor failures, so getting the exact codes would be helpful. If you are getting similar codes to what I experienced, I would recommend having the workshop specifically check both the camshaft sensor and the encoder wheel. These components often work together, and a fault in either can cause similar symptoms.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I just had my service done at 128134 KM, but these issues started shortly after. I used an OBD scanner and got error code P0341, which points to the camshaft position sensor circuit issue. The engine control module is definitely picking up irregular signals. The ignition timing seems off, especially during cold starts. Based on your similar experience with the encoder wheel, I will have both components checked. Really helpful to know the repair cost range, as I was worried it might be something more serious causing the car stalling. Did you notice any improvement in fuel consumption after the repair? Mine seems higher than usual since these issues started.

Thanks for the follow-up. Yes, I definitely noticed better fuel economy after fixing the encoder wheel and camshaft position sensor issues on my Dodge 750. The irregular ignition timing was causing increased fuel consumption before the repair, probably around 15-20% higher than normal. The P0341 code you mentioned is exactly what I encountered. The camshaft position sensor was receiving inconsistent signals due to the damaged encoder wheel, which directly affected the ignition timing and caused those cold start issues. Since your problems started after the service, it might be worth checking if something was disturbed during maintenance. In my case, the workshop found some debris had damaged the encoder wheel surface, disrupting the sensor readings. After my repair, the most noticeable improvements were: Instant starts, no more extended cranking, Stable idle, no car stalling, Check engine light cleared permanently, Fuel consumption returned to normal, Smoother overall engine performance Given your identical symptoms and error code, sounds like you are dealing with the same underlying issue. Getting it fixed sooner rather than later is advisable to prevent any potential damage from incorrect ignition timing.

Thanks for the detailed responses. I scheduled an appointment with my mechanic for next week. The engine misfire symptoms seem to be getting slightly worse, especially during cold mornings, so I want to get this resolved quickly. Just checked the fuel consumption again and I am definitely using about 20% more fuel than usual. The check engine light started blinking occasionally too, which I read can indicate a serious misfire condition that could damage the catalytic converter. The P0341 code combined with the sensor testing results really point to the camshaft position sensor or encoder wheel issue you mentioned. Will ask them to inspect both components thoroughly. The quoted repair estimate was 725€, which seems in line with what you paid. Really appreciate the help in narrowing down the problem. Will update once I get it fixed and confirm if the fuel economy and starting issues improve. Hoping this resolves all the symptoms like it did in your case.