Normal for Engine to Die When a Cam Sensor DTC is Set?

[ZeeOSix]

2004 Infinity G35. Engine dies when a cam position sensor sets a DTC (P0345, driver's side sensor). Is this a normal thing on all vehicles, or just an Infinity/Nissan thing? It's a pretty dangerous thing to happen depending when it does happen with zero warning. Engine will restart and run fine after it dies, so why can't it just set the code without dying? Maybe it's just an instantaneous fault and that's why it restarts and runs OK - ?.

 

[bdcardinal]

I mean its not unheard of. The PCM uses the Cam Sensor to determine when to fire the injectors and coils. The 7.3L diesel would stop running when the cam sensor let the smoke out.

 

[2EHA]

many cars can run without cam sensors. CKP will take over functions and probably a limp home map

 

[ZeeOSix]

Seems like a car manufacturer with any forthought would make it just set a check engine light, keep the engine running in limp mode and not kill the engine. It could be quite a dangerous situation depending on when the engine decides to suddenly shut off.

 

[JustN89]

I wouldn't necessarily say that's working as intended, but I would say it's fairly common. My sister's '01 Corolla had a failing camshaft position sensor and it would stall when the car got up to operating temp. I haven't had a car built within the last decade or so have a CPS fail, so maybe OEMs have figured out how to prevent it from stalling, but if I had an early 2000's car stalling with a camshaft sensor code, I'd consider that fairly normal.

 

[michaelluscher]

Very common on Nissan/Infiniti stuff
Cam/crank sensors are a wear item on some of them IMO
Same part number on some too

 

[Kurtatron]

My 2001 Honda had a Camshaft TDC sensor fail a few months ago. It would go into limp mode. Limp mode made the car feel like it 30hp. The crankshaft sensor may have taken over timing, as mentioned by another post.
Limp mode is certainly better than no limp mode.

 

[ZeeOSix]

My 2001 Honda had a Camshaft TDC sensor fail a few months ago. It would go into limp mode. Limp mode made the car feel like it 30hp. The crankshaft sensor may have taken over timing, as mentioned by another post.
Limp mode is certainly better than no limp mode.

Sounds like Honda was thinking about safety when the sensor fails ... which is smart, unlike Nissan/Infinity.

 

[partspro]

it really depends on the ignition system design, waste spark, coil on plug etc, not knowing the cam position can cause the fuel not to burn correctly and wipe out your cats.

 

[nthach]

From my experience with something similar on a Toyota, the car can still run without a cam signal, CEL will be lit and a code is set in NVRAM. But it will not run without crank. Before the SAE designations after OBDII implementation, Toyota called CMP/CKP the G/Ne signals.