theresa_eagle1

VelSatis Crankshaft Sensor Issue

I own a 2004 Renault VelSatis with a diesel engine and 160331 km on the clock. The check engine light is illuminated, and I'm experiencing reduced engine power, poor engine response, and higher fuel consumption. Diagnostic tools indicate a 'Crankshaft to camshaft reference value' issue. Could a defective crankshaft sensor be the culprit?

4 comment(s)

Sounds plausible. When was the timing belt last changed? A worn belt can sometimes throw off the timing enough to trigger those codes and symptoms, even if it hasn't outright failed. Gotta rule out the simple stuff first. Is it running rough at all, or just down on power?

The timing belt was replaced at 120000 km. Engine vibration is normal, but I still think the crank sensor is faulty, what are the odds?

Okay, belt should be fine then, unless there's been some other issue causing premature wear. Yeah, given the symptoms and the code, a crank sensor is a very likely candidate. It's a common failure point that can definitely mess with the crank/cam correlation. If you're not equipped to diagnose it properly, you should consider visiting a workshop. Replacing it yourself is certainly doable with the right tools, but misdiagnosis can get expensive real fast. A shop will also clear the code for you.

Thank you for the advice. Following your suggestion, I took the VelSatis to a workshop for diagnosis. The crankshaft sensor was indeed defective. The replacement and labor cost 340€. The car is now running smoothly again.

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