Camshaft Position Sensor Location

[frenchmanfl]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if someone could please let me know the location of the camshaft position sensor on a Regal 2011 2.4l engine. I am not a mechanic but recently replaced the camshaft position actuator intake and exhaust valve solenoids, without any issues. I purchased the sensor, thinking that it would be easy to find but am at a complete loss. I read somewhere that one has to take the timing chain cover off. Unfortunately, I am too much of an amateur to even find that.

I have seen some diagrams, but none provide a full view of the engine so that I can identify the general area.

I am sorry to come at a group of likely highly skilled technicians with such a silly question but if the switch out is something that I can do myself, I would be grateful for the guidance. I bought this car 6 months ago, with 36K miles and have had so many problems that it is driving me nuts. I do love her and when she is on the gallop she is a gorgeous ride. Just so many problems so early. Am now at 50K, so she is being used.

Thank you all for your patience and kind assistance.

P.

 

[ryenie]

From what i gather there's two cam sensors. One for the intake one for the exhaust. Both are located externally and can be removed without having to remove the timing cover.The intake sensor is above the oil filter cap, airbox i think has to come out to get to it. One bolt and sensor should come out. The exhaust sensor is on the exhaust side of the cylinder head right around the corner of the engine hoist hook. Same thing 1 bolt sensor should come out. There are o-rings on them good idea to lightly coat them in oil, and you will likely have to wiggle and twist the old ones to get them out.

 

[frenchmanfl]

Hi Ryenie,

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

The exhaust and intake solenoids that I believe that you are referring to, were the ones that I was able to change out, using the instructions that you so kindly provide. The below image are the ones already replaced:



These did improve things slightly, but my issue with inconsistent revs persists and I was advised that I also needed to replace the Camshaft position sensor, pictured below:



I believe that this controls the timing. I have not been able to figure out where this is located. I have watched several youtube videos, all referencing the GM ecotech 2.4L engine, in other vehicles, not the Buick. I can't seem to find any information on this. The last information read referred to the need to take the cover off of the timing chain casing, because somewhere in there, I was supposed to be able to find this sensor.

The solenoids that you mentioned were very easily accessed, by simply taking the plastic cover that "protect" the engine (requiring a simply unscrew of the oil cap and it pops off). I have searched as far as the human eye will allow and I am not able to identify any other "device that resembles the one that I purchased and is compatible with the vehicle.

Once again, I am very grateful for your time in answering.

P.

 

[ryenie]

, intake sensor. , exhaust sensor. The sensors are in the corners of the cylinder head. Actually after looking looks like the sensors might actually go into the timing cover, just on the sides of it.

 

[frenchmanfl]

Rynie, thank you, once again. I just went to check my engine again, looking as far as possible on the rear side and still couldn't locate. I am going to hazard a guess that the opening at the top of the engine, in diagram 1, is the the oil entry point. I searched for the cylinder heads but also couldn't locate them (likely buried behind wall of some kind)

You mention might actually go into the timing (chain) cover (this is what I read at somewhere). I need to hunt down how to get to these locations on the engine. As mentioned I have searched the visible parts of the engine and have located any number of sensors but cannot find this one. Very frustrating indeed. It is clear that this is a quick replacement, unbolt, disconnect the connector, reconnect new sensor, bolt back in and it's done. Paying a mechanic to do this just seems like pissing money away. However, at some point, I may just have to give in.

Once again, thank you very much for persisting with help.

P.

 

[ryenie]

Sorry, it's hard using diagrams instead of actual pictures, i'll see if i can find something a little more useful.

 

[frenchmanfl]

You are extremely kind. I am very grateful for your help and apologize for the inconvenience. This is driving me crazy. =)

 

[ryenie]

Well, still can't find any useful live photos. But these maybe more useful as they're not completely zoomed in. To explain, first the cylinder head (which there is only 1), stretches across the top of all 4 cylinders, it's one big piece. It has the intake manifold, exhaust manifold, and valve covers bolted to it. Both sensors are on the drivers side of the engine, so they are actually on the opposite side of the engine than the timing cover. You can only see the connector plug and the arm of the sensor, the base of the sensor is in the cylinder head. , the plastic piece from the air filter box to the throttle body has been removed in this diagram. The dipstick should help give you some bearing as to where at in the engine bay this is. The sensor is circled, all you can see is the connector piece and the arm, and part of the bolt, hidden behind dipstick. The trickier side, again the view is from the drivers side standing at the tire. sensor circled, again you can only see the connector and arm. The bolt to the right of the sensor the bolt for the sensor. The tubes in the picture are for the two heater hose connections at the engine. Hopefully this will help you get to them. Now to keep you from spending too much money, is the check engine light on? If so have you had the codes read? From what i know of the engine it's a little complex and has quite a few sensors. The crankshaft position sensor is also tied into the spark timing. From what we were explained in school the crank sensor times the spark as it's the base (crankshaft) timing mark. The cam sensor determines the fuel injector firing order and duration. This i would think can surely change depending on the electronics in the car but, you have the added bonus of variable valve timing. To me seems essentially the same concept as that of a honda v-tech. Maybe a little bit more sophisticated or refined, but same concept. Anyhow if a given sensor is causing it to run rugged and cause the light to come on the code will help pinpoint it. Many different things can cause a misfire, but a code can point you where you need to go, i would go by it before going by what others have done to fix theirs.

 

[frenchmanfl]

Ryenie,

My deepest apologies for not responding sooner. Life has been crazy.

Wow, I don't know what to say. Thank you so much for taking so much time out of your day to provide me with not only these great images but also these very detailed descriptions. I simply don't have enough words to express my gratitude. I am hoping to have time in the next week to tackle this. I need to thoroughly read your post in order to get a handle on it.

I am deeply grateful to you for being so kind. Thank you!!!!

I will post back, once I have tackled the job. Extremely kind!!!

 

[ryenie]

Your most welcome, as a currently stay at home dad, it's really not a problem. It gives me something to do and if I can't find the answer on google, my son who is 2 loves going to the library, if your local library is big enough, most of them usually have a haynes or chiltons manual for your car at the least. So my participation on this site is also a learning experience for him too. And thank you for keeping us updated on your progress, it's good to know that any efforts have not been given in vain.

 

[frenchmanfl]

That is wonderful, on all counts! =) Thank you for the tip on the library. Never thought of that. I used to have an Audi and that was so easy to find info on. Not the Buick.

I forgot to answer a couple of your questions. I did check the codes (Autozone) and they turned up with evap system codes. I will get them checked again. The reason that I ended up on this route was thanks to another member pointed me to a recall from GM that pointed to these issues. It seems that a list of owners kept taking their cars to the dealership and no one could ever diagnose the problem. At first, I thought that it was the charcoal canister because my Audi had the same symptom of hard start after gasing up and rough idles. Then a member sent me to the exhaust and intake solenoids.

Although the problems persist, changing these out has solved the hard start problem to 95%. It doesn't start on the first go but then starts up fine the second and doesn't choke up badly. I used to have to play a game with the throttle, feather it upon start up and then kick the revs up hard which resulted in a strong fuel smell. That issue is almost gone, so believe that I am on the right track.

Your explanation that the camshaft position sensors control fuel injection has offered me further evidence that these could be the issue. Because on top of the rough idle (which is now the primary issue) 3 times out of 10, when I roll of a light, I get a hesitation. If I keep my foot pushing on the throttle, at the same position, she feels like she might stall. So I feather and sometimes jam the pedal down to get her back on track. It seems feasible that this could be because the fuel injection is not squirting juice into the system until until it is coaxed or pushed. I also feel like she is running as hard as I am climbing up the revs (I have felt her do better), unless I gun it and it kicks down a gear.

If it is a doable "quick fix" I might also replace the crank sensor, because correct spark timing could also be at fault. Thank you very much for leading me down that path, as well.

I hope that I can get to these sensors without a huge ta do. As mentioned, I will let you know how it goes.

I will also cruise over to the library to see if I can find the needed information. I have access to two or more larger libraries (Miami Beach) that should be large enough to have the needed books.

Thank you, once again, so much for helping me. I too want to learn but also don't want to pay a mechanic to do something that can be done without a huge amount of work.

Have a great day!

 

[Wynter1221]

What will cause the check engine light to not turn off. Replaced the evap vent valve as instructed by code 449 and the is still on.

 

[David Mullen]

I have a P0017 code camshaft sensor,where do I find its exact location.2010 Buick Lacrosse,3.0 engine,& is the bank1, on the grill side,or the side toward the firewall.& I see I have 4 sensors,how do I know which is the right on

 

[HotZ28]

I have a P0017 code camshaft sensor,where do I find its exact location.2010 Buick Lacrosse,3.0 engine,& is the bank1, on the grill side,or the side toward the firewall.& I see I have 4 sensors,how do I know which is the right on

It might be better to ask that question in the LaCrosse forum!

 

[Shanab135]

I have p0016 code. I've replace the camshaft position sensor but still having issues.

 

[Buickgordon]

I have a 2013 laCrosse and I have a P0016 code, can anyone tell me witch Sencer is Bank 1 sencer A. Please help

 

[G-589037]

Hi Ryenie,

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

The exhaust and intake solenoids that I believe that you are referring to, were the ones that I was able to change out, using the instructions that you so kindly provide. The below image are the ones already replaced:

View attachment 9895

These did improve things slightly, but my issue with inconsistent revs persists and I was advised that I also needed to replace the Camshaft position sensor, pictured below:

View attachment 9896

I believe that this controls the timing. I have not been able to figure out where this is located. I have watched several youtube videos, all referencing the GM ecotech 2.4L engine, in other vehicles, not the Buick. I can't seem to find any information on this. The last information read referred to the need to take the cover off of the timing chain casing, because somewhere in there, I was supposed to be able to find this sensor.

The solenoids that you mentioned were very easily accessed, by simply taking the plastic cover that "protect" the engine (requiring a simply unscrew of the oil cap and it pops off). I have searched as far as the human eye will allow and I am not able to identify any other "device that resembles the one that I purchased and is compatible with the vehicle.

Once again, I am very grateful for your time in answering.

P.

It is located under the fuel pressure regulator tucked in a little on the right side of the engine and the other on is in the same position on the back of the engine.

 

[G-374915]

I have a code po 0335

 

[John46]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if someone could please let me know the location of the camshaft position sensor on a Regal 2011 2.4l engine. I am not a mechanic but recently replaced the camshaft position actuator intake and exhaust valve solenoids, without any issues. I purchased the sensor, thinking that it would be easy to find but am at a complete loss. I read somewhere that one has to take the timing chain cover off. Unfortunately, I am too much of an amateur to even find that.

I have seen some diagrams, but none provide a full view of the engine so that I can identify the general area.

I am sorry to come at a group of likely highly skilled technicians with such a silly question but if the switch out is something that I can do myself, I would be grateful for the guidance. I bought this car 6 months ago, with 36K miles and have had so many problems that it is driving me nuts. I do love her and when she is on the gallop she is a gorgeous ride. Just so many problems so early. Am now at 50K, so she is being used.

Thank you all for your patience and kind assistance.

P.

I can not get the clip off

 

[G-318298]

View attachment 9898, intake sensor. View attachment 9899, exhaust sensor. The sensors are in the corners of the cylinder head. Actually after looking looks like the sensors might actually go into the timing cover, just on the sides of it.

I think this is probably the best diagram I have ever seen for these lol this is exactly where they are located on my 2013 Buick encore thank you!!