Parts for your 2018 Toyota Crown-Camshaft sensor

2018 Toyota Crown camshaft sensor — what it does and how to look after it

Based on Toyota’s service literature for the S220-series Crown — including the Engine Control System sections of the repair manual and the Electrical Wiring Diagram — every 2018 Toyota Crown engine (8AR‑FTS 2.0 turbo, A25A‑FXS 2.5 hybrid, and 8GR‑FXS 3.5 V6 hybrid) uses one or more camshaft position sensors. These are shown as inputs to the ECM for variable valve timing control and sequential fuel injection, so the camshaft sensor is absolutely relevant on the 2018 Crown.

In day‑to‑day terms, the camshaft sensor tells the engine computer exactly where the cam(s) are, so it can fire the injectors and spark at the right moment and command VVT‑i/VVT‑iW to the angle it wants. That means smoother starts, crisp throttle response, better economy, and tidy emissions. If the signal goes missing or gets noisy, the Crown can crank longer when cold, idle roughly, feel short on power, or drop into a limp strategy.

Common clues include a lit check engine lamp and fault codes like P0340/P0341 (cam sensor circuit/performance) or cam‑crank correlation codes (P0016–P0019). On the V6 there’s a sensor per bank, on four‑cylinder models there may be one or two depending on cam arrangement.

This isn’t a scheduled replacement item, it’s “fit and forget” unless it faults. Good oil and timely services help, because sludgy oil can throw off VVT behaviour and contaminate the magnetic tip. If attention is needed, start with a visual: check the connector for oil ingress, brittle locking tabs, and wiring chafe near the timing cover. A quick clean of the tip and a proper pin‑fit test can save guesswork.

Replacement is straightforward on most Crowns: disconnect the battery, pop the engine cover, unplug the sensor, remove its hold‑down bolt, and wriggle it out. Lightly oil the new O‑ring, refit and torque to spec from the Toyota manual, reconnect, clear codes, then perform an idle relearn and a road test over a few kilometres. On hybrids, because the engine starts and stops frequently, use live data (cam angle vs crank) to confirm the fix.

• Use quality OEM‑equivalent parts to avoid signal noise.
• If a correlation code appears, verify timing chain/gear alignment before blaming the sensor.
• After work, check for oil weep at the sensor O‑ring under the bonnet.

Where is the camshaft sensor on a 2018 Toyota Crown?

It’s typically at the front or top of the cylinder head near the timing cover, held by a single small bolt with an O‑ring seal. On the 8GR‑FXS V6 there’s one on each bank. On the 8AR‑FTS and A25A‑FXS, access is usually from above after removing the engine cover.

What fault codes point to a bad camshaft sensor?

Expect codes like P0340 or P0341 for the camshaft position circuit/performance. You might also see P0016–P0019 for cam‑to‑crank correlation. Always check wiring, connectors and engine mechanical timing before condemning the sensor.

Should the camshaft sensor be replaced as preventive maintenance?

No. It’s not a wear‑and‑tear item and often lasts the life of the vehicle. Replace only if testing and fault codes confirm it’s the culprit. Labour is usually 0.5–1.0 hour on four‑cylinders and up to 1.5 hours on the V6, depending on access.