VW Sharan Camshaft Sensor Issues Hit Engine Performance

Had the same symptoms on a VW Touran 2.0 TDI from 2015. The check engine light came on during highway driving, followed by significant power loss and rough starting. The automotive sensor diagnostics confirmed a failing camshaft position sensor, causing timing issues and occasional stalling engine behavior. The repair involved replacing both the sensor unit and the associated wiring harness since corrosion had damaged the connector pins. The stalling engine problems were initially misdiagnosed as fuel system related, but the timing issues pointed clearly to the camshaft sensor circuit. This is a critical repair that should not be postponed, as incorrect camshaft timing data can lead to engine damage. The sensor replacement itself is straightforward for an experienced mechanic with the right diagnostic tools. The harness inspection and replacement take additional time but are essential to prevent future failures. When fixed properly, the engine should return to normal operation immediately. Regular inspection of sensor connections during routine maintenance can help catch deterioration before complete failure occurs.

Thanks for sharing your Touran experience. The symptoms and repair process sound identical to what my Sharan is going through now, especially the rough start and engine misfire issues. My mechanic mentioned the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors would need inspection too. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was for your car? Also curious if youve had any similar automotive sensor problems since the fix? Its been really helpful hearing from someone who went through the same thing.

Since resolving the camshaft sensor problem on my Touran, the engine has been running perfectly without any timing issues or rough idling. The fix was actually quite simple, just 95€ to repair a faulty connection in the sensor wiring. The mechanic found the issue was mainly with the cable connector rather than the sensor unit itself. The engine misfire problems and poor starting disappeared immediately after the repair. Its been about 8 months now with no check engine lights or sensor failure warnings. Regular maintenance checks show all timing sensors are working as they should. If your mechanic is suggesting checking both camshaft and crankshaft sensors, thats a thorough approach. These sensors work together, so having both inspected makes sense. Just make sure they check the wiring connections first, might save you money if thats the only issue like in my case.

Finally got my Sharan fixed last week and wanted to update everyone. After checking several repair shops, I found a specialist who really knew these VW timing issues well. The diagnostic confirmed it was definitely the camshaft sensor causing the problems, just like you experienced. The total repair came to 280€, which included replacing both the sensor and fixing some corroded wiring, a bit more than your repair but still reasonable. The rough idling cleared up instantly, and the engine now starts perfectly every time. No more stalling engine problems or error codes showing up. Really glad I got a second opinion and found a mechanic who understood these automotive sensor systems properly. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it helped me know what to expect and gave me confidence to push for a proper fix rather than accepting quick guesses from my previous mechanic.