VW Amarok Stalling: Bad Camshaft Sensor Fix Cost Guide

Had similar sensor failure symptoms on a 2014 VW Tiguan. The engine control unit was logging camshaft sensor errors, causing rough starts and unpredictable stalling at traffic lights. Initial sensor testing revealed the encoder wheel on the camshaft was worn, not just a faulty sensor. This caused incorrect position readings, making the engine run poorly. The camshaft sensor could not read the wheel position accurately, leading to timing issues. The repair required removing the valve cover to access and replace both the encoder wheel and sensor. This was more involved than a simple sensor swap since it meant dealing with timing components. A specialized VW diagnostic tool was needed to properly calibrate the new sensor after installation. Important to note: While sensor issues often get overlooked as minor, incorrect camshaft timing can potentially cause major engine damage if left unaddressed. Would recommend getting it checked soon to prevent more serious issues. Not all shops have the right diagnostic equipment for proper sensor testing and calibration on VW engines. Best to find a shop familiar with VW camshaft position sensor systems.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Tiguan sensor issue. Mine also started with rough starts and engine misfire before the stalling got worse. After reading about your camshaft position sensor replacement and encoder wheel fix, I am wondering about the total repair cost you faced. Did you have any other issues pop up afterward? Want to budget properly since my local shop quoted a surprisingly high amount for diagnostic work alone. The crankshaft sensor was also mentioned as a potential culprit during my initial inspection, but the symptoms match more closely with what you described about the camshaft timing problems. Would be great to know if your repair solved all the stalling issues completely.

After getting the camshaft position sensor and encoder wheel replaced, all the stalling and rough start issues were completely resolved. The total repair came to 695€, which included the specialized diagnostic work and calibration. This might seem high, but replacing the encoder wheel requires careful timing component work. The crankshaft sensor was fine in my case, the engine control unit clearly showed it was the camshaft position readings causing the problem. No other issues have occurred since the repair, and the check engine light has stayed off. The investment was worth it to prevent potential engine damage from incorrect timing. The diagnostic work is crucial for these issues since proper sensor testing helps pinpoint whether its the encoder wheel or just the sensor itself thats faulty. In my case, the worn encoder wheel was causing the sensor to read incorrect camshaft timing. Glad I could help give you a cost reference point for your Amarok repair. The symptoms you described match exactly what I experienced before the fix.

Thanks for the helpful input. I finally got the repair done and wanted to share the outcome. Took it to a different shop that specializes in VW engines and they immediately spotted the camshaft sensor issue during their diagnostic testing. The repair cost came to 580€ total, less than I expected after seeing other quotes. They found both a faulty camshaft position sensor and slight wear on the encoder wheel. The mechanic showed me the old parts and explained how the worn components were causing the ignition timing problems. The engine runs perfectly now, no more stalling or rough starts. The check engine light cleared up right after they calibrated the new sensor. Really glad I got a second opinion and found a shop that knew exactly what they were dealing with. The whole repair took about 4 hours. For anyone facing similar symptoms, getting proper sensor testing done by a shop that knows these systems is definitely worth it. Saved me from potentially bigger engine problems down the road.