T-Roc Engine Sluggish: Camshaft Sensor Alert

Had the same symptoms on my 2020 VW Golf TSI. The stalling engine and rough starts were identical to what you describe. The check engine light came on during highway driving. The camshaft sensor failure diagnosis proved correct after scanning. The main issue was a damaged wiring harness where it connects to the camshaft position sensor. The insulation had worn through, causing intermittent signal problems. The repair involved replacing both the wiring harness and the sensor unit itself since corrosion had spread to the connector pins. This was a critical fix as faulty readings from the camshaft sensor can cause serious engine timing issues if left unaddressed. The job requires accessing the sensor behind the timing cover. While checking this, its worth having the entire timing system inspected since you are at similar mileage to when I had my issue. For diagnosis, checking fault codes should be your first step, followed by testing the sensor signal with a multimeter. The symptoms you describe strongly point to a camshaft position sensor problem rather than a timing belt issue. Would suggest finding a garage specializing in VW engine management systems for proper diagnosis.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Had exactly that camshaft sensor problem on my T-Roc last winter. The engine misfire symptoms match perfectly and the automotive sensor setup seems identical. Our crankshaft was thankfully unaffected but they still suggested checking the entire timing setup while they had it open. Smart move given the mileage. Curious what the total repair bill came to for you? Mine was around 450€ parts and labor. Also, have you noticed any other electrical gremlins since the fix? Sometimes these sensor issues can point to wider wiring problems.

Thanks for asking about the repair costs. After seeing the mechanic, it turned out to be a much simpler fix than expected. The root cause of my rough idling was just a faulty cable connection to the camshaft position sensor. Total bill came to 95€, which covered fixing the damaged plug connection. Much better than your 450€ repair. Since the fix, the check engine light has stayed off and the engine runs perfectly smooth. No timing issues or electrical problems have shown up in the months since. The mechanic did a thorough check of the surrounding wiring while accessing the sensor area. Unlike your case, they found no need to replace the actual sensor unit or inspect the crankshaft, which helped keep costs down. Just that one bad connection was causing all the starting problems and rough running. Seems these sensor connection problems are a common weak point on these engines. Regular inspection of the wiring harness near the camshaft position sensor might be worth adding to the maintenance schedule.

After getting those helpful responses, I finally took my T-Roc to a new mechanic last week. Found a specialist shop that really knew their way around VW engine management systems. They quickly diagnosed the camshaft position sensor issue using their diagnostic equipment. The fix was straightforward, they discovered damaged wiring near the sensor connection, similar to what others mentioned. While they had it open, they did a complete timing system inspection. Everything else checked out fine, no issues with the crankshaft or other components. Total repair came to 380€, including parts and labor. The engine misfire symptoms disappeared completely after the repair. Car starts perfectly now and runs much smoother than before. The check engine light has stayed off and no other electrical problems have shown up. Really glad I asked here first, helped me understand the likely issue and what to expect at the shop. The specialist mechanic definitely proved worth switching to from my old garage.