Parts for your 2008 Toyota Land cruiser-Camshaft sensor

2008 Toyota Land Cruiser camshaft sensor: fitted and worth looking after

Based on Toyota technical literature, the 2008 Land Cruiser 200 Series is equipped with a camshaft position sensor (often called a CMP or cam angle sensor). Toyota’s factory Repair Manual and Electrical Wiring Diagram for the 200 Series (model codes URJ200, UZJ200, VDJ200) show dedicated CMP sensor circuits feeding the engine ECU, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue lists camshaft position sensor assemblies across the 2008 petrol V8s (2UZ-FE, 3UR-FE) and the 1VD-FTV V8 diesel. On the V8 petrol engines there’s typically one sensor per bank, the V8 diesel uses CMP for injection and timing synchronisation as well.

On a 2008 Land Cruiser, the camshaft sensor tells the ECU exactly where each cam is in its rotation. That info is crucial for sequential fuel injection, spark timing, and variable valve timing on the petrol V8s, and for injection synchronisation on the 1VD-FTV diesel. When it’s working right, cold starts are crisp, idle is smooth, and power delivery feels tidy across the rev range.

It isn’t a routine replacement item, but it’s smart to keep an eye on it during servicing. A couple of quick checks help it live a long life:

• Look for oil sweating into the connector or along the loom near the sensor. Clean and fix any leaks.
• Make sure the harness isn’t rubbing on the timing cover or cam cover. Secure it with fresh clips if it is.
• Keep engine oil changes on time, clean oil helps protect timing components and the pickup signal quality.

Typical warning signs of a crook cam sensor include longer crank times, rough idle, flat spots, or the MIL on with codes like P0340/P0345. If those pop up, scan live data to confirm the CMP signal alongside the crank signal, and check basics first: connector pins, loom continuity, and any metal debris on the sensor tip.

Replacement is pretty straightforward for most 200 Series. Disconnect the battery, remove the engine cover, unplug the sensor, and undo the retaining bolt. On petrol V8s you’ll find a sensor at the front of each cylinder head, on the diesel it’s commonly near the timing cover area. Lightly oil the new O-ring, seat the new sensor squarely, and tighten the bolt to the service manual spec. Plug it back in, clear codes, and road test. No special relearn is usually required—if the fault returns, double-check wiring and earths.

If the vehicle’s done big kilometres or spends time in harsh dust and heat, pre-emptive inspection of both banks (on petrol) during major services can save a roadside drama. Genuine or high-quality aftermarket sensors tend to give the best, most stable signal over time.

• Why it matters: accurate timing, smoother running, better economy.
• When to act: MIL on, hard starting, or scan-tool signal dropout.
• What to use: quality sensor, fresh O-ring, and the correct tightening spec.

FAQs

Does a 2008 Land Cruiser have one or two camshaft sensors?
V8 petrol models typically run two—one per cylinder bank—so the ECU can track each cam independently for VVT-i and sequential injection. The 1VD-FTV V8 diesel uses a cam sensor for injection synchronisation, and many local specs also list two sensors. The sure-fire way is to check by VIN or eyeball both heads under the engine cover.

Where is the camshaft sensor on a 2008 Land Cruiser?
On the petrol V8s, each sensor sits at the front of its cylinder head, behind the upper timing cover area. On the diesel V8 it’s commonly mounted near the timing cover or cam cover. Pop the engine cover off and they’re usually right in view with a single retaining bolt and a two- or three-pin connector.

Can a camshaft sensor be cleaned, or should it just be replaced?
If it’s just a light film of oil or dust, a careful wipe and connector clean can restore a good signal. If there’s internal failure or repeat fault codes after checks, replacement is the go. They’re relatively affordable, quick to fit, and don’t usually require any ECU programming—just clear the codes and test drive.