VW Bora Stalling Issues Point to Camshaft Sensor Fault

I experienced a very similar issue with my VW Golf 2002 2.0L. Having some experience with car repairs, I initially thought it was just a faulty sensor, but it turned out to be more complex. The symptoms were identical, hard starting, stalling at idle, and the engine control light staying on. After taking it to my regular workshop, they performed diagnostic testing on both the crankshaft sensor and camshaft position sensors. The root cause was actually a defective encoder wheel on the camshafts, which was causing incorrect readings. The total repair came to 695€, which included: Complete diagnosis, Parts replacement, Labor costs The repair solved all issues completely, and the engine has been running smoothly since. The workshop explained that this is a known issue with these engines, and regular sensor testing could help catch it early. Before offering more specific advice, could you share: Which engine variant does your Bora have? Are there any additional warning lights besides the check engine light? Does the problem occur more when the engine is cold or warm? Have you noticed any unusual sounds from the engine? This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced with my Golf.

Thanks for sharing your experience. On my 2004 Bora, the engine light started flashing after my latest service about 2 months ago. The sensor testing showed error code P0341, confirming issues with the camshaft position sensor. My mechanic thinks the encoder wheel might also be affected, similar to your case. The timing seems off too, especially when cold. What surprised me was how quickly the condition worsened, from occasional car stalling to now struggling consistently at startup. Before booking the full repair, I wanted to check if anyone encountered similar rapid deterioration of symptoms. The quote I received is slightly higher at 780€. Did your repair also include timing belt inspection since they had to access that area anyway?

Based on my experience with the Golf repair, I would say the rapid deterioration you describe is quite typical for this kind of issue. When the encoder wheel starts failing, it often leads to increasingly severe engine misfire conditions and starting problems. In my case, the timing belt was indeed inspected since the components are in close proximity. If they need to access that area, it makes sense to check the belt condition. The price difference likely accounts for this additional inspection work. The error code P0341 matches what I encountered. The check engine light started flashing more frequently as the problem worsened, particularly affecting cold starts. The engine control system becomes increasingly confused by the faulty sensor signals, leading to more severe symptoms. One thing I learned from my repair: while the camshaft sensor testing showed the initial problem, having them check the entire timing system was worth it. In these engines, sensor issues and mechanical problems often go hand in hand. Would recommend getting it fixed soon, my delay in addressing it led to rougher running and eventually risked damage to other components. The 780€ quote seems reasonable considering the scope of work involved. Have you noticed any metallic sounds from the timing belt area? This could indicate if the encoder wheel damage is affecting other components.

I appreciate the detailed feedback on the encoder wheel issue. My mechanic did mention hearing some slight ticking from the timing belt area during his initial inspection, which makes me more concerned now. I will go ahead and book the repair for next week. The rapid deterioration and potential for additional damage has convinced me not to wait any longer. The engine stalling has become more frequent even during warm operation, and the ignition timing seems noticeably off. Based on your similar experience, I feel more confident about the 780€ estimate. It makes sense to have them do a thorough inspection of the timing belt while they are working in that area. The last thing I want is for a bad camshaft position sensor to cause more extensive engine control problems. I will ask them to specifically check the encoder wheel condition as well, since that ended up being the root cause in your case. Thanks for helping me understand how these issues can quickly escalate if left unaddressed.