How to diangose cam position sensorHi

Hello again everyone,

I went to asda the other day after about 30 minutes running around.

Was in the shop about 10 mins, came back to the Freebie (2001 TD4 Auto) and it refused to start. It turned over fine, there was just under 1/2 tank of diesel in it

Trised it about 5 time, tried turn the ignition on an not trying to start it, to make sure the fuel pressure was up, no joy.

Called green flag.

Tried it again about 10 mins later, and it relutently fired and started.

I suspect that its the cam position sensor (it would be the second time in 7 years) but is there anything that i can do to be sure, before i buy a new one?

Thanks

David

When you get the non start sometimes pressing on the sensor is enough to get it to fire up, otherwise cool with freezer spray.

Thanks Chaser, will give it a try next time it plays up.

could also be a leaking injector

I think definitly cam shaft sensor mine played up like that waited for the aa in the middle of no-where in Ireland only just got mobile phone coverage and aft half a hour i thought i would try the engin again and she fired up so phone the aa to tell them all was ok when i got home went to the garage I had the car from and low and behold they had just had the same problem with another freelander and happend to have their computor on the freelander at the same time because if you try when it has gone cold it will not show anything and they told me so I replaced it now I always carry a spare this was 7 years ago

Thanks OP

Its lacking bottom end power indicating maf. Need to test this.
It runs rough 1500 to 2500 Ron, indicating injector and/or maf

Hmmmm.

My check engine light did not come on, shoud it come on for knackered cam sensor?

Optimus Prime said:

could also be a leaking injector

Click to expand...

Is there anything else it might be? Would a leaking injector only cause this when the engine is warm?

The reason I ask is that I have had classic "cam position sensor failed" symptoms so I replaced it.

I still have the symptoms so I am wondering what else may cause it.

If it is a leaking injector should I be reading "injector leak off test" threads?

BTW, the only other symptom is tickover is a bit erratic when the engine is warm and I have been sitting at the traffic lights for awhile.

If it's a 'classic cam position sensor failure' then it will work if you spray it with freeze spray.

I had this with my Rover 75 (same engine) and the first couple of garages hadn't got a clue (didn't stop them giving me huge estimates to fix it), the RAC bod reckoned it might be my diesel pump!!! Fortunatley I found out the cam sensor fails when hot, does not show on any warning lights, next time it failed a quick blast of freeze spray, it started straight afterwards. New sensor from Rimmers and no more problems since

TRXnMe said:

If it's a 'classic cam position sensor failure' then it will work if you spray it with freeze spray.

I had this with my Rover 75 (same engine) and the first couple of garages hadn't got a clue (didn't stop them giving me huge estimates to fix it), the RAC bod reckoned it might be my diesel pump!!! Fortunatley I found out the cam sensor fails when hot, does not show on any warning lights, next time it failed a quick blast of freeze spray, it started straight afterwards. New sensor from Rimmers and no more problems since

Click to expand...

I took mine out and sprayed it, put it back and the engine started straight away. So I bought and fitted a new one, but I still have problems starting when warm....I haven't tried spraying the new one yet