2008 LR2 intake camshaft sensor reference wire dead
The vehicle has 210,000 miles. Never a problem cranking. Battery is new and checks well-charged. When the start button is pushed the instrument panel lights up like a Christmas tree, but the starter won't crank. OBD code is for camshaft position sensor. (I cleared the code and don't remember the code number.)
I measured the voltage of the camshaft position sensor connectors with a multimeter. Exhaust cam connector was ~5 volts on both the positive terminal and the reference terminal. The Intake cam connector was ~5 volts on the positive terminal, but zero on the reference terminal.
I'm out of airspeed and ideas. Does anyone know what these symptoms indicate, and know the repair procedure?
I measured the voltage of the camshaft position sensor connectors with a multimeter. Exhaust cam connector was ~5 volts on both the positive terminal and the reference terminal. The Intake cam connector was ~5 volts on the positive terminal, but zero on the reference terminal.
I'm out of airspeed and ideas. Does anyone know what these symptoms indicate, and know the repair procedure?
Are those the correct voltages for the sensor? If yes, I might consider the starter motor.
Have you ever replaced the starter? If not, that would be my guess... 210,000 is a lot for one starter unless your daily commute is 500 miles. Those seem prone to causing electrical gremlins on their way out, presumably due to internal shorts. A bad starter can also drain a good battery, maybe even with the vehicle off. They are relatively cheap, for a JLR part.
Have you ever replaced the starter? If not, that would be my guess... 210,000 is a lot for one starter unless your daily commute is 500 miles. Those seem prone to causing electrical gremlins on their way out, presumably due to internal shorts. A bad starter can also drain a good battery, maybe even with the vehicle off. They are relatively cheap, for a JLR part.
Merlinj39 thank you for the suggestion. I agree that the starter is suspect, and it is on the list to check. However without the intake camshaft position sensor working properly I don't think it will start and run even if I can get it to crank. The ~5 volts at both cam position sensors is the specified voltage, but one of the wires on the intake sensor is dead. My chief concern is the cam position sensor OBD code and how to resolve it. I simply don't know enough about the engine controls on the LR2. I have no idea what I should do next to get the cam position sensor operating.
Merlinj39 thank you for the suggestion. I agree that the starter is suspect, and it is on the list to check. However without the intake camshaft position sensor working properly I don't think it will start and run even if I can get it to crank. The ~5 volts at both cam position sensors is the specified voltage, but one of the wires on the intake sensor is dead. My chief concern is the cam position sensor OBD code and how to resolve it. I simply don't know enough about the engine controls on the LR2. I have no idea what I should do next to get the cam position sensor operating.
Besides, I doubt the sensor would prevent the engine from starting. A bad sensor is dirt cheap to replace, as low as $25 each on eBay (there are two, one for the intake camshaft and one for the exhaust camshaft). Unplug, unscrew, pop out, reverse to install. If one goes bad, the other one may soon follow, so you should replace both at the same time.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Camshaft-Po...1/283746923256
As Merlin stated, at 210k miles the likelier culprit is the starter motor (and if it has never been changed before, you're very lucky it lasted this long). That's relatively easy to replace as well and they are inexpensive on eBay. Mine failed at 160k miles but I don't know if it was the original one. I bought one for $81 w/free shipping and it's working like a champ.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-STARTER...72.m2749.l2649
Last edited by flybd5; Mar 11, 2021 at 11:25 AM.

I had that happen with a camry and new (but bad) timing belt tensioner once. Fortunately it was non-interference, so I was able to limp it home... and repeat the entire R&R.


