P3007 – Camshaft Sensor Fault (VW)

By Reinier (Contact Me)
Last Updated 2023-10-02
Automobile Repair Shop Owner

Table of Contents

1. What Does Code P3007 Mean?
2. Where is the P3007 sensor located?
3. What are the common causes of code P3007?
4. What are the symptoms of code P3007?
5. Get Help with P3007

What Does Code P3007 Mean?

OBD II fault code P3007 is a manufacturer-specific trouble code that is defined by carmakers Audi and VW as P3007 – “Camshaft Sensor Fault”, or sometimes as P3007 – “Camshaft position (CMP) sensor – no signal” and is set when the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) detects that it is not receiving input signals from the camshaft position sensor.

The process of starting a modern engine is fairly complicated in the sense that many settings and parameters must be within acceptable ranges before the PCM will activate the starter motor. We need not delve into all of the relevant parameters here, but suffice it to say that the single most important parameter involves the correlation between the positions of the crankshaft and the intake camshaft(s).

Since all modern engines start on cylinder #1 (except engines with stop-and-go functionality), the position of piston #1 is critically important for the starting process. In practice, the position of the crankshaft is monitored by a dedicated sensor that works in conjunction with a toothed reluctor wheel that incorporates a reference point that serves as the basis upon which the PCM calculates ignition timing and misfire detection strategies.

Thus, when the PCM detects this reference point, it can infer the position of piston #1 relative to the position(s) of the valves in cylinder #1 since all the valves in cylinder #1 have to be closed at the top of the compression stroke before the PCM can generate an ignition spark. Therefore, the PCM needs to know if the intake camshaft’s position correlates with the crankshaft since the intake camshaft(s) regulates the opening and closing of the valves in conjunction with the exhaust camshaft(s).

As a practical matter, then, the position of the intake camshaft (measured in degrees of camshaft rotation) is monitored by a dedicated sensor that generates signals that are similar to the signals the crankshaft position generates. However, while the crankshaft position sensor monitors the position of piston #1 as a function of the crankshaft’s rotation during engine cranking to calculate the delivery of an ignition spark, the PCM uses input data from the camshaft position sensor to calculate when to energize fuel injector #1 to inject fuel into cylinder #1 to complete the starting process.

From the above, it should be clear that for a modern engine to start and run at peak efficiency, the correlation between the positions of the crankshaft and the intake camshaft has to be exact. If this correlation is not exact the engine will not start, or if it starts, it will run poorly because fuel and ignition sparks are delivered too late or too early relative to the positions of the pistons.

So in terms of operating principles, the PCM monitors the signals both the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors generate continuously to verify that their positions correlate exactly from the moment the engine begins to rotate during cranking until the engine is shut off again. This is especially important on engines with VVT/VCT (Variable Valve Timing/Variable Camshaft Timing) because adaptations to the valve or camshaft timing change the correlation between the camshafts and the crankshaft. It is important to note that on these engines, the PCM monitors the correlation between the camshaft and the crankshaft relative to the camshaft’s base setting or rest position, which means that the PCM takes into account the number of degrees (of camshaft rotation) the camshaft advances or retards the valve timing relative to the positions of the pistons.

From all of the above, it should be clear that the PCM requires continuous and accurate input data from the camshaft position sensor to manage and verify the correlation between the camshaft and the crankshaft during engine operation. Thus, when a defect, malfunction, or failure occurs in the circuits that relay input data from the camshaft position sensor to the PCM, the PCM will recognize that it cannot control multiple critical engine management functions effectively, and it will set code P3007 and illuminate a warning light as a result.

Where is the P3007 sensor located?

This image shows the location of the camshaft position sensor on an  1.8L VW engine. Note that the appearance and location of camshaft position sensors vary greatly between different VW models, so be sure to research the exact location of the camshaft position sensor on an affected vehicle to avoid confusion and a possible misdiagnosis.

What are the common causes of code P3007?

Some common causes of code P3007 could include one or more of the following-

• Damaged, burnt, shorted, disconnected, or corroded wiring in the camshaft position sensor’s reference voltage or signal circuits
• Defective or malfunctioning camshaft position sensor
• The use of a substandard aftermarket camshaft position sensor
• An excessive air gap between the sensor and its reluctor (ring) caused by improper installation of the sensor
• Failure to secure the camshaft position sensor properly
• Failed or failing PCM, but note that this is an exceedingly rare event

What are the symptoms of code P3007?

Common symptoms of code P3007 could include some or all of the following-

• Stored trouble code and an illuminated warning light
• Depending on the nature of the problem, multiple additional trouble codes could be present along with P3007, with codes relating to crankshaft/camshaft correlation issues being common additional codes
• The engine may crank normally, but won’t start
• If the engine starts, it may run poorly
• The engine may not run at idling speed
• If the engine starts, it may exhibit severe misfires on all cylinders at all engine speeds

NOTE: Although common sense dictates that the engine will typically not start in the complete absence of input data from the camshaft position sensor, it could happen that an engine will start and even run normally when code P3007 is present. In such cases, which are relatively common on older engines, there is a more than even chance that code P3007 had set as the result of one or more closely related faults having occurred, such as an erratic or sporadically interrupted signal from the camshaft position sensor.

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