Parts for your 2001 Toyota Crown-Camshaft sensor

2001 Toyota Crown Camshaft Sensor: Purpose, Care, and Replacement

Yes, the 2001 Toyota Crown does use a camshaft position sensor. This applies to common S170-series Crowns with the 1G‑FE (VVT‑i) and 1JZ‑FSE engines. Toyota technical literature including the S170 Electrical Wiring Diagram and the Engine Control System manuals for 1G‑FE/1JZ‑FSE identify the camshaft position sensor (often labelled “G” or “G2”) as a key input to the ECM for sequential fuel injection, ignition timing, and VVT‑i control. Related DTCs such as P0340–P0343 are listed in Toyota’s diagnostic charts for these engines.

On this Crown, the camshaft sensor tells the ECU exactly where the intake cam is, so it can fire the injectors in sequence, time the spark, and command the VVT‑i to sharpen response and efficiency. If the signal goes missing or dirty, the car can become hard to start, run rough, or drop into limp mode. It’s a small part with a big job.

There’s no set replacement interval for the cam sensor, it’s typically “fit and forget”. As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to check for oil weeping from the sensor O‑ring, brittle wiring near the cylinder head, and any stored fault codes. Many “sensor failures” are actually caused by poor connections or oil intrusion at the plug.

• Symptoms to watch: long cranking, misfires, uneven idle, reduced power, higher fuel use, and MIL on with codes P0340–P0343.
• Quick checks: inspect the connector for oil, corrosion, or loose terminals, verify harness routing away from hot spots, clear codes and recheck.

When replacement is needed, go for quality — genuine or OE‑equivalent (DENSO) units hold signal accuracy and withstand heat. Under the bonnet, the sensor sits on the cylinder head (intake side on most variants). Disconnect the battery, unplug the connector, remove the retaining bolt, and ease the sensor out without twisting the harness. Always fit a fresh O‑ring lightly oiled, seat the sensor squarely, and torque the bolt to the workshop manual specification. After installation, clear codes and perform a road test, no special relearn is usually required on these engines, but verifying cam/crank sync data with a scan tool is good practice.

Look after the basics — clean connectors, sound wiring, and proper sealing — and the camshaft sensor on a 2001 Toyota Crown will happily clock up the kilometres.

Popular questions

Does a 2001 Toyota Crown have one or two camshaft sensors?
Most S170 Crowns with the 1G‑FE or 1JZ‑FSE use a single camshaft position sensor on the intake cam. The ECU pairs that with the crank sensor to manage sequential injection and VVT‑i. Always confirm by VIN or engine code, as hardware can vary by market and trim.

Can a faulty cam sensor cause a no‑start?
Yes. If the cam signal drops out, the ECU may not sync injection and spark correctly, leading to extended cranking or a flat no‑start. Other times the car will start but run poorly and log P0340‑series codes. Check the connector and wiring before condemning the sensor.

Should the camshaft sensor be replaced as preventive maintenance?
It’s generally not a wear item. Replace only if symptomatic or oil‑contaminated, or if testing shows a weak/erratic signal. During routine servicing, inspecting the O‑ring, connector and harness is usually all that’s needed.