How Does Volvo Camshaft Position Sensor Failure Affect Its Performance

Volvo cars are synonymous with luxury and come equipped with high-end features that set them apart from the competition. However, this doesn’t make Volvo immune to issues, as drivers often report encountering problems due to malfunctioning camshaft position sensor failure in their Volvos.

In fact, the issues with the functioning of the camshaft position sensor (CPS) have a direct bearing on the performance of your Volvo. At Francen & Son Foreign Car Repair, located in Algonquin, IL, we will help address the performance issue caused by the camshaft position sensor in your Volvo.

Starting Issues

One of the primary issues associated with a malfunctioning camshaft position sensor in your Volvo is difficulty starting your vehicle. In fact, the camshaft position sensor is responsible for providing information related to the position of the camshaft in comparison to the crankshaft, which helps in the starting process of your high-end car.

Now, due to the failure of this vital sensor, the engine control unit struggles to adjust the fuel flow to the engine, resulting in either an excess or a lean flow of fuel to the system. This is when you will witness your Volvo cranking up continuously before starting, or, in the worst-case scenario, your Volvo will not start at all.

If you are experiencing problems starting your vehicle, you should have it inspected by our certified mechanics as soon as possible to help determine the exact source of the issue.

Engine Misfires & Rough Idling

The position of the valves in your engine is directly proportional to the position of the camshaft. As the camshaft position sensor provides details about the camshaft’s position, this data is used by the onboard computers to adjust the opening and closing of the valves in sync with the camshaft.

Additionally, input from the crankshaft position sensor (CPS) is also taken into account to determine the optimal moment when the engine cylinders are ready for ignition and fuel injection. Now, due to the failure of the camshaft position sensor, erroneous information is sent to the engine control unit (ECU).

This completely alters the synchronized timing of the components responsible for the engine’s smooth operation. Due to this, you will likely experience engine misfires and rough idling issues while driving your Volvo.

Drop in Miles per Gallon

Most of the time, it is noticed that Volvo owners don’t keep a tab on the fuel economy of their car, thinking that since they are driving a high-end vehicle, its miles per gallon will be less. Now, this misconception needs to be set aside because when you monitor the miles per gallon of your car, you can easily determine the failure of its components.

In fact, the fuel economy of your Volvo is tied to the operational efficiency of the camshaft position sensor of your luxury car. A proficiently functioning CPS ensures that the fuel in your vehicle is injected into the engine at the perfect time, which helps achieve maximum power output.

However, with a malfunctioning CPS under the hood of your Volvo, the timing of fuel injection is going to go haywire, and to compensate for this, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) either injects too much air/fuel mixture or delays the spark timing, which ultimately leads to a drop in fuel economy of your Volvo.

Engine Stalling Problems

The smooth engine operation, especially at idle and low RPMs, is dependent on the functional efficiency of the camshaft position sensor in your Volvo. Now, if your vehicle has a faulty camshaft position sensor, it will send erroneous information to the onboard computers, leading to stalling issues.

Often, the onboard computers try to handle the problem by seeking input from the crankshaft position sensor or by transitioning to the default timing mechanism; however, if the problem with the camshaft position sensor is too severe, then the mechanism won’t be of much help to your car, and you are going to face stalling issues.

Top Volvo Garage In Algonquin

For Volvo owners in Algonquin, IL, Francen & Son Foreign Car Repair is the go-to auto repair and service center for high-end European car repairs, including Volvos. The camshaft position sensor failure is indeed a serious problem that adversely affects the performance of your Volvo & needs to be addressed quickly.

At Francen & Son Foreign Car Repair, our state-of-the-art auto repair shop is equipped with the latest tools and diagnostic equipment to help us identify the problems with the camshaft position sensor of your Volvo. Call or contact us now to schedule an appointment, and our team of certified mechanics will help you fix your Volvo promptly.