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davidschaefer77

V Klasse Camshaft Sensor Issue

My 2012 Mercedes V Klasse with a gasoline engine is giving me fits. It's got 260923 km on the clock, and recently it's become really difficult to start. Engine power is noticeably reduced, too. I scanned it, and it's throwing a camshaft sensor error. I've checked the sensor itself, and it seems okay, so I'm suspecting a bad cable or plug connection. Has anyone run into this before? Is it possible that a defective connection to the camshaft sensor would really cause such dramatic stalling engine and rough idling symptoms? Estimated repair cost is around 95€, does it sound right?

4 comment(s)

janwerner5

Interesting problem. I also own a V Klasse, and I experienced something similar last year. Did you inspect the wiring harness leading to the camshaft sensor closely? In my case, the insulation had cracked in several places, leading to intermittent sensor failure. Also, have you tried cleaning the sensor contacts with electrical contact cleaner? Sometimes, a simple cleaning can resolve issues related to automotive sensor malfunctions. Was the error message precise, or did it indicate a general sensor failure?

davidschaefer77 (Author)

Thanks for the insights! I visually inspected the wiring and it looked okay, but I didn't check that closely for cracks in the insulation. I also haven't tried cleaning the contacts yet, so I'll definitely give that a shot. When you had the issue, did your vehicle behave the same way with hard starts and reduced power? Also, how did you finally fix it?

janwerner5

Indeed, the symptoms were quite comparable – the engine would hesitate significantly before starting, and the overall performance felt sluggish. After closer examination and replacement of the sensor, the problem persisted. Ultimately, it was determined that the harness was indeed the culprit. If cleaning the contacts doesn't resolve the issue, and given your mileage, I would recommend having a qualified technician inspect the wiring harness thoroughly. It may save you time and money in the long run to seek professional assistance.

davidschaefer77 (Author)

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! Cleaning the contacts didn't help, so I took it to a local workshop. They confirmed it was a faulty connection to the camshaft sensor and replaced the wiring. Now it runs perfectly! Your advice really helped me narrow it down.

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