How to diagnose the camshaft sensor?

All modern cars are equipped with such a necessary part as a camshaft sensor. Its main task is to give a command in order for fuel to be injected into the cylinders. If the sensor is faulty, it is imperative to determine the cause of the failure and replace it.

The performance of the DPRV (camshaft position sensor) depends on the temperature regime. Overheating will destroy it. The sensor will not function if the wires through which it transmits and receives a signal are out of order.

An important role is played by defects or contamination of the sensor itself. Also, under difficult conditions, the operation of a car (off-road driving, transportation of goods), the sensor may shift or even worse, a short circuit will occur. In order to eliminate the breakdown of the sensor at the most inopportune moment, carry out its diagnostics.

Troubleshooting DPRV

If the Check Engine indicator is already on on the panel (it may not glow constantly, but appear periodically), you just need to read the breakdown code using a diagnostic device. If you do not have such a device and it is impossible to buy it, you need to contact specialists.

After receiving the exact breakdown code and decrypting it, we recommend that you perform a set of simple tests. The presence of one of the DPRV failure codes listed above does not always indicate that the sensor must be replaced. It happens that the source of the problem is a defect in the wiring, connector, etc. It is quite possible to fix such problems on your own.

But to check the performance of the sensor itself, you need to perform a set of actions. Of course, the signal is difficult to diagnose without special equipment. But basic information will be provided by diagnostics with a multimeter.

How to diagnose camshaft sensor wiring?

First, visually diagnose the condition of the sensor connector and the wires that go to it. Make sure there is no dirt, oil, or rust in there that could cause interruptions. Diagnose the wires for defects. It happens that problems are created by broken wires, poor contacts or defects in the insulating layer caused by exposure to elevated temperatures. The DPRV wires must not come into contact with the high-voltage wires of the ignition system.

Next, we pick it up, he "knows how" to diagnose the value of alternating and direct current (AC and DC, respectively). But you need to get information in advance about what these indicators should be for the sensor used on your car. In some sensors, the connectors are designed so that you can connect additional wires to them for reading data with a multimeter.

If this is not possible, try disconnecting the RPF connector and connecting thin copper wires to each connector terminal. Next, install the connector in place so that two wires stick out of its body.

Another option is to pierce each of the wires with a needle or pin (do everything carefully so as not to short the wires!). After such a diagnosis, the damaged areas of insulation should be well wrapped with electrical tape so that moisture does not get inside.

diagnostics of the two-wire camshaft position sensor:

• If an electromagnetic DPRV is used in the car, put the multimeter in AC mode.
• Another person must turn on the ignition by turning the key in the lock without starting the engine.
• There should be voltage in the circuit. Connect one of the probes of the multimeter to the "ground" (each metal component of the internal combustion engine), and connect the second one in turn to the wires of the camshaft sensor. The absence of current on all wires indicates a problem in the wiring that goes to the sensor.
• Have the person in the car start the engine.
• Touch one multimeter probe to one wire of the DPRV connector, and the second to the other. Values ​​will appear on the screen of the device, which should be compared with the operating readings given in the operating instructions for the car. As a rule, the indicators on the screen vary between 0,3-1 volts.
• The absence of a signal indicates a breakdown of the camshaft sensor.

How to ring the camshaft sensor 3 pins?

diagnostics of a three-wire DPRV:

1. Find the power wire, ground wire and signal wire (use the repair manual), then diagnose the integrity of the wiring that goes to the sensor. The multimeter must be switched to DC mode.
2. Another person must turn on the ignition without starting the internal combustion engine.
3. We connect the black probe of the multimeter to the “ground” (any metal part of the internal combustion engine), and the red one to the DPRV power wire. The results obtained should be compared with the data from the operating instructions.
4. The assistant should start the ICE.
5. Touch the red probe of the multimeter to the signal wire of the DPRV, and connect the black probe to the ground wire. In the event of a sensor failure, the voltage will be lower than stated in the repair manual. It happens that the multimeter does not show anything at all, which also indicates the failure of the sensor.
6. Remove the DPRV and diagnose the element for mechanical defects or contamination.

The camshaft position sensor is a simple but important device, on the operation of which the correct functioning of the internal combustion engine depends. Therefore, when identifying signs of its failure, it is worth performing the appropriate diagnostic procedures as soon as possible. They are simple, and even a novice, inexperienced car owner can handle them.