Parts for your 2013 Toyota Crown-Camshaft sensor

2013 Toyota Crown camshaft sensor: what it does and how to look after it

Yes, the 2013 Toyota Crown uses camshaft position sensors. This is documented across Toyota’s technical materials, including the Toyota Crown (S210 series) Repair Manual under Engine/Hybrid Control – Camshaft Position Sensor, the Electrical Wiring Diagram (EWD) where the ECM lists camshaft angle inputs, and Toyota service diagnostics for DTCs P0340/P0345. Engines offered in 2013—such as the 4GR-FSE and 2GR-FSE V6s and the 2AR-FSE hybrid four—all rely on cam sensors to run Dual VVT-i, sequence fuel injection, and manage starting.

The camshaft sensor’s job is to tell the engine computer exactly where the cam(s) are in relation to the crank. With that timing info, the Crown can fire injectors and coils at the right moment, swing the cam phasers for smooth torque and economy, and kick off clean starts. If the sensor signal goes missing, the ECM can fall back on the crank sensor to a degree, but you’ll usually cop a long crank, rough idle, limp performance, and a Check Engine lamp.

Common signs it’s on the way out include hard starting, stumbles off the line, poor fuel use, and stored codes like P0340/P0345. On the V6 Crowns there’s a sensor on each bank, on the 2AR-FSE there’s a sensor mounted to the cylinder head. They’re simple Hall-effect units held by a single bolt with an O-ring seal.

There’s no periodic replacement interval—these are “inspect and replace if needed” parts. As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to check the harness near the timing cover, look for oil weep at the sensor O-ring or rocker cover gasket, and make sure the connector pins are clean and tight. Oil ingress and brittle loom tape are common culprits on higher kilometre cars.

Replacement is straightforward:

• Disconnect the battery and pull the engine cover under the bonnet.
• Unplug the sensor, remove the retaining bolt, and twist the sensor free.
• Lightly oil a new O-ring, fit the new genuine-quality sensor, and torque the bolt to spec (typically around 8–10 N·m, check the Toyota repair manual for the exact figure for the engine variant).
• Clear codes with a scan tool and confirm cam/crank synchronisation data is stable.

Use the correct Toyota part number for your specific engine to avoid fitment dramas, and don’t ignore early symptoms—sorting a lazy cam sensor promptly keeps VVT-i happy and the Crown driving beautifully.

Where is the camshaft sensor on a 2013 Toyota Crown?
On the 2GR-FSE and 4GR-FSE V6 engines, there’s one sensor per bank mounted at the front of each cylinder head near the timing cover. On the 2AR-FSE hybrid four, the sensor is on the cylinder head, typically at the end of the intake cam. Access is usually under the plastic engine cover.

Is it safe to drive with a faulty camshaft sensor?
It may start and run, but performance can be down, fuel use up, and it may stall or hesitate—especially when hot. It’s best to limit driving and get it checked, the ECM will often log P0340/P0345 and related timing codes that point straight to the issue.

Do the V6 Crowns have two camshaft sensors?
Yes. The 2GR-FSE and 4GR-FSE use one sensor per bank so the ECM can track each cam’s phase for Dual VVT-i and precise sequential injection. If one fails, the car may still run but won’t be happy.