Stop start error

[MR T]

I have 2021 1.5 and 2 weeks ago while crawling along in a traffic jam I had reduced engine power to 3000rpm flash up for about 5 seconds and disappear again. It did this maybe 5 or 6 times and left the cruise control icon yellow. The car drove fine and it didn't happen again.
Yesterday while the car was idling for about 10 minutes same thing happened only this time it was followed by stop/start error and an engine light that stayed on.
I disconnected the battery for 20 minutes or so and plugged in a cheap code reader and it gave P0341 error and the engine light remained.
I have started the car a few times since then and no sign of any lights.
If it matters I hate stop start and turn the thing off religiously, I'm not too concerned about losing it but want to know if there is another fault somewhere?

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

The start stop error is a symptom not the problem. Start stop is disabled anytime the engine thinks it may not be able to restart - for example the battery is low. Engine has a fault. It's also disabled if the cabin conditions aren't the same as the climate control settings.

The camshaft position sensor fault code is what caused the start stop system to be disabled

What mileage is the car on?

 

[MR T]

It's on 60k and runs fine no issues previously. Ive noticed it doesn't have a battery light on the dash so I guess the engine light covers most faults?
I'm going to test the battery later to see if that's on the way out as its the original one. It does start absolutely fine though and there's none of the tell tale signs you would get from battery or alternator issues.

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

As mentioned, the camshaft position sensor is the cause of all your issues

Could be a faulty sensor, damaged wiring or a legitimate timing issue

 

[MR T]

No worries, is that sort of thing plug and play or does it need some sort of coding?

 

[James_R]

The sensor is plug and play, but before you go chucking parts at the car I'd consider having diagnosed by a professional rather than just guessing off the back of a fault code.

 

[MR T]

Where's the fun in that

 

[MR T]

So it went into the dealer who found stored codes but could not fault the car. Tested the camshaft sensor reset the steering angle sensor? Cleared the codes and gave it back.
Fine for a few weeks now it has intermittently become jerky and hesitant to drive with what feels like restricted power when accelerating. The limp mode light will flash on and then off after about 5 seconds as will the visit workshop light but no engine light so far.
There is no consistency to this ie cold, hot, short journey. Dealer said next step is exploring timing issues, any thoughts?

 

[MR T]

Got this out of it today. Is this the actuator that goes into the inlet cam on the timing belt side controlled by a magnetic sensor. I'm going to take it back to the dealer but want to have half an idea whats going on with it.

 

[James_R]

Open circuit fault with the actuator. It could be the wiring or the actuator itself.

 

[MR T]

Got to love cars eh, they love to toy woth your emotions and wallet.

 

[MR T]

So it's been to an independent specialist who have tested and faulted the camshaft sensor that the dealer said was fine. They have also found a split in the carbon filter ventilation pipe, which is a massive long thing that goes all round the top of the engine.
Both replaced same day and the car is flying along now.

 

[MR T]

So Friday started it up and it looked like a Christmas tree. Ran OK for a bit, lights went off. Saturday same problem as before hesitation and limpmode light flashing on and off constantly on a 20 minute drive.
So back to the garage we go.

Also who decided it was a good idea to make the warning light noise the same as every other thing on this. I get a millisecond of dread every time I'm not dead centre of the road or it drops below 4 degrees.

 

[James_R]

So Friday started it up and it looked like a Christmas tree. Ran OK for a bit, lights went off. Saturday same problem as before hesitation and limpmode light flashing on and off constantly on a 20 minute drive.
So back to the garage we go.

Also who decided it was a good idea to make the warning light noise the same as every other thing on this. I get a millisecond of dread every time I'm not dead centre of the road or it drops below 4 degrees.

Have you re-checked for fault codes?

 

[MR T]

Yeah same fault as before all points to camshaft sensor issue.
It's going back in tomorrow so they can dig around a bit.

 

[James_R]

Yeah same fault as before all points to camshaft sensor issue.
It's going back in tomorrow so they can dig around a bit.

The "circuit/open" code?

 

[MR T]

Codes this time are P0341 and P0342. They replaced the camshaft sensor, so I don't know if its a faulty sensor, woring issue or something else entirely.
The fact it is intermittent woth no consistency to it is the frustration.

 

[James_R]

P0342 - cam sensor circuit, low input.

I'd be checking the wiring from the sensor to the ECU.

 

[MR T]

I spoke to the guy today and he said that they had a cursory look at the wiring when it went in and there was nothing obvious. The issue there is that you can't see everything and probably needs deeper investigation.

 

[MR T]

So it went in all the codes came up on the computer as described. Sensors tested plugged in and unplugged no issues and codes cleared. They've given it back for me to monitor and see how it runs for the next couple of days. If it continues as is they will need it to be left to go exploring wiring looms and get the ECU out of the tamper proof case to see if they can solve the issue.

I'm now wondering how far I take this in terms of investigating the fault vs do I chop it in for something newer? I only want to keep it for another year anyway and this sounds like a whole can of worms about to be opened.