RAV4 Camshaft Sensor Issue

That sounds awfully familiar. I had very similar symptoms on my RAV4 – hard starts, stalling, and the dreaded check engine light. Have you checked the ignition timing? It might be the culprit.

Ignition timing is one of the suspected issues, given my belief that the encoder wheel on the camshaft is defective. How did you pinpoint the timing? Did you perform any sensor testing?

I didn't dive too deep myself; I took it to a trusted workshop. They confirmed it was the camshaft sensor, likely influenced by the encoder wheel. It's a bit like a domino effect when one sensor goes bad, it messes with other systems. If you're not completely comfortable with sensor testing and engine control, I'd suggest having it professionally diagnosed.

Appreciate the insight. I followed your recommendation and took it to a workshop. The camshaft sensor was faulty. The repair, including parts and labor, was 695€. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!