My Jag (USA version) takes too long cranking before it starts. Does not stall or run badly once started. The check engine light went on 3 weeks ago and it read "camshaft position sensor". Since then the check engine light has not come back on.
I am considering replacing the cam positioning sensor and the crankshaft positioning sensor but am not sure this is a smart move. The car has 93k on it and has not yet had a tune up. I would certainly appreciate some advice. My experience on British stuff is 2 Austin Healey 3000's - one of which I drove every day for 15 years. They were really easy. This Jag is not. Great car so far - though. Thx. mgg
OT - It says I have zero thanks. Does this mean I'm being rude and did not thank someone (or 7 someones) for their time and brain power?
If so - how do I rectify this?
I am very grateful for "free" advice and other's time and already feel guilty.
Thank you.

 

Sounds like the crankshaft position sensor could be failing, not the camshaft... you sure it said cam and not crank?

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...or-aj16-73874/

Could also be the camshaft, I suppose...

 

If you have a P0340 CEL code then it is the camshaft sensor . Starting takes longer as it reverts to the crankshaft sensor by design . The nut on the crank shaft bolt is a 33 mm or you can remove the spark plugs and rotate the engine by hand ( wear gloves )

 

The symptoms you describe do align well with a fault in the camshaft position sensor. Having said a fault, it could just be that it has moved position. It is mounted in the spot where the distributor used to sit in ancestors of the AJ16 engine, and has the ability to be turned slightly like a distributor. I would try loosening the adjustment bolt, and with an assistant trying to start the car, rotate it until the desired result is (hopefully!) achieved. Check the wiring to the unit looks OK before doing this, and mark the position of the sensor before you move it, just in case.
The fact you had your check engine light on and a code indicating a cam position sensor issue might be a clue that the problem lies with the wiring or the connector.

 

Bring the crankshaft gear missing tooth in line with the crankshaft sensor and the dot in the camshaft sensor ( a Hall Effect sensor ) window should be lined up . My connector was dirty and it resolved the P0340 code in the end . Check the connector on the ECU as well as they get corroded .

Cam : Red 24 , Red 34 , and Red 30

Crank : Black 23 , Black 26

Editing as the SC engine wiring is different

Ensure you have both tabs in the sockets as they bite the blade pins on the ECU side . On the SC engine the wiring is tapped into the EGR temp sensor and inlet air temp sensor and can be sucked down . Look at the VIN # changeover circled in the print

Something to keep in mind later is that the crankshaft sensor controls many things and will partially fail with no code , but your symptoms are camshaft . There should be a source for the sensor alone as when I received a rebuilt unit with the housing the O - ring was missing and had to swap out the viewing window

 

What Lady P says about the dot on the camshaft position sensor lining up with the window in the sensor is correct, however, as I discovered having removed my camshaft position sensor and replaced it (inadvertently) one tooth out, the car will still start, albeit after a lot of cranking. Rather than remove the sensor and try to position it again, I simply loosened the base and turned it till I found the sweet spot, and the car starts normally. As I understand it, once the engine is running, the sensor is redundant.
So in other words, it is possible for the car to start normally without the dot necessarily being in the window.
All of that said, the fact you had a code appear would suggest the car "knows" there is something amiss with the sensor, which would take me in the first instance to the wiring/ connectors.

 

No guilt. Nothing to rectify.

So far, one person has liked what you've said and given thanks to you.

No obligation to press the 'thanks' button....but many do so if they find something particularly useful, helpful, or enjoyable, or to express agreement.

Cheers
DD