VW Up Engine Issues Point to Faulty Camshaft Sensor

I had similar symptoms with my VW Polo TSI (2016), hard starts, power drops, and engine misfires while driving. The check engine light pointed to a camshaft position sensor failure. After diagnosis, it turned out the wiring harness connecting to the sensor was damaged, causing intermittent timing issues and rough idling. The repair involved replacing both the harness and sensor since corrosion had spread to the connector pins. This was a serious issue that needed immediate attention, as continued driving could have led to further engine damage or complete failure. The fix required removing parts of the engine cover and careful rewiring to ensure proper connection. A full diagnostic scan was necessary to verify all timing signals were correct after the repair. Testing showed proper sensor readings and the engine returned to normal operation. Worth noting that damaged wiring to the camshaft sensor often gets overlooked during basic inspections. A proper diagnosis requires checking both the sensor and its connections. The symptoms you describe match exactly what happens with a failing camshaft position sensor or its wiring. Ask the mechanic to specifically check the wiring harness condition and connection points, not just the sensor itself.

Thanks for sharing your experience. This sounds exactly like my problem too, especially the stalling engine and timing issues. My car got fixed last month, and like yours, it was indeed the camshaft position sensor and wiring causing all the trouble. Did you happen to remember how much you paid for the complete repair? In my case there were a few extra complications they discovered during the sensor replacement, so I wonder if that was typical or if I just got unlucky. Has everything been running smoothly since your repair?

Thanks for asking about the repair costs. In my case, it was actually quite straightforward once I got it checked. The stalling engine and rough idling completely stopped after fixing the camshaft sensor connection. The total bill came to 95€, which only covered replacing the faulty wiring harness connection, no need for a full sensor replacement like in your situation. The engine misfire issues and sensor failure symptoms disappeared right after the repair. Running perfectly smooth for the past 6 months now, no timing problems, no check engine light, and normal power delivery restored. Seems I got lucky that catching it early prevented any additional complications. Hearing that you had extra issues discovered during your repair suggests your sensor problem might have gone on longer, possibly causing those additional complications. Every case is different when dealing with camshaft position sensor problems, depending on how long the issue was present and what other components were affected.

I got my car back from the mechanic about a month ago. The initial check engine diagnostic confirmed the camshaft position sensor problem, but they also found worn timing chain guides that needed replacement. Total repair ended up at 480€ including parts and labor. The mechanic explained that the faulty sensor had caused irregular engine timing, which put extra stress on the chain system. While not ideal to pay more than expected, at least they caught these issues before any serious engine damage occurred. My car runs great now, no more stalling engine or power loss issues. The engine misfire problems completely disappeared and acceleration feels smooth again. Definitely worth fixing it properly despite the higher cost. Learned my lesson about getting strange engine symptoms checked out sooner rather than later.