Parts for your 2003 Toyota Caldina-Camshaft sensor

2003 Toyota Caldina Camshaft Sensor — What it does and how to service it

Based on Toyota technical sources — including the Toyota Repair Manual for the ZZT241/AZT241/ST246 series, Toyota New Car Features for the 1ZZ-FE, 1AZ-FSE and 3S-GTE engines, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue — the 2003 Toyota Caldina is fitted with a camshaft position sensor. It’s an essential engine management component on all common 2003 Caldina variants.

The camshaft sensor (often called the CMP sensor) tells the engine control unit exactly where the intake cam is in its rotation. That lets the ECU sync fuel injection and ignition on start-up, refine timing at idle and cruise, and manage VVT-i operation for smooth torque and better fuel economy. If the signal goes missing or erratic, the ECU may fall back on the crank sensor alone, which can cause hard starting, rough running or limp-home behaviour, and it will usually log fault codes such as P0340 or P0343.

• Common symptoms of a tired or failed cam sensor include: extended cranking, intermittent stalling, flat spots on acceleration, poor fuel economy, and a Check Engine Light.
• Because it’s a solid-state Hall-effect sensor, it’s not a scheduled replacement item, it’s replaced when faulty.

As part of routine servicing, it’s worth a quick look under the bonnet for oil weeping at the sensor’s O-ring, brittle or oil-soaked wiring near the timing cover, and loose connectors. Keeping the area clean and ensuring good battery voltage helps preserve a clean signal. If chasing a drivability niggle, a scan tool can confirm cam/crank synchronisation and VVT-i target vs actual.

1. Replacement is straightforward: disconnect the battery, unplug the connector, remove the retaining bolt, and pull the sensor straight out (expect a snug O-ring). Lightly oil the new O-ring, seat the new sensor squarely, refit the bolt, and tighten to the workshop manual spec (commonly around 8–10 Nm). Reconnect, clear codes, and road test.
2. Use a quality OEM or reputable aftermarket sensor, cheap units can give flaky signals.

Location notes for the Caldina: on the 1ZZ-FE 1.8 it’s on the intake side of the cylinder head near the timing chain, on the 1AZ-FSE 2.0 D-4 it’s at the rear/side of the head on the intake cam, on the ST246 3S-GTE it’s at the front of the head near the timing belt area. A small amount of engine oil on removal is normal — have a rag handy.

Popular questions

Does the 2003 Caldina definitely have a camshaft sensor?
Yes. Toyota’s service literature for the 1ZZ-FE, 1AZ-FSE and 3S-GTE engines specifies a camshaft position sensor used for start-up synchronisation and VVT-i control. It’s a required input for the ECU on these engines.

Where is the camshaft sensor on a 2003 Caldina?
Typically on the intake cam side of the cylinder head: front-left on the 1ZZ-FE, rear/side on the 1AZ-FSE, and front near the timing belt on the 3S-GTE. The exact spot varies, but it’s a small two- or three-pin sensor held by a single bolt.

Can a camshaft sensor be cleaned instead of replaced?
If oil or fine metal fuzz is on the tip, a gentle wipe can restore a clean signal, but internal electronic faults won’t be fixed by cleaning. If codes return after inspection and connector checks, replacement is the go.