Car jerking intermittently

Tiny
MSCOLEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 LEXUS ES 330
  • 116,000 MILES
My car was jerking intermittently for like two days and the check engine light finally came on. I took it to three different mechanics and they all said it was the camshaft sensor and the O2 sensor. Well I paid to have those replaced. I got my car back afterwards and my check engine light was off. I did not drive it for two days and then this morning, it began to jerk but it was not until this afternoon that I felt a big jerk and the check engine light came back on. What could that mean?
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 2:27 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

What you have described can be the result of many different things. Fuel pressure, ignition misfire issues, crankshaft positions sensor, and many others can cause it. If it is possible, can you have the computer scanned and tell me what codes are found? Since you just paid to have this repair done, the shop should be willing to at least check to see if it is the same problem. Maybe they got a bad sensor or did not install it correctly. They could have even left off an engine vacuum hose.

Here is the process for replacing the camshaft position sensor on your vehicle. It is a bit involved. I am adding this so you can see what was done and maybe check to make sure connectors are correctly reattached, vacuum hoses are back on, and basically, a good look over to make sure something that was removed was replaced. The picture I attached correlates with these directions. It shows the actual sensor and location.

___________________

PROCEDURES
REMOVAL

1. DRAIN ENGINE COOLANT
2. REMOVE OIL DIPSTICK AND GUIDE FOR ENGINE
3. REMOVE OIL DIPSTICK AND GUIDE FOR A/T
4. REMOVE AIR INTAKE CHAMBER
5. REMOVE VACUUM CONTROL VALVE SET AND NO.2 VACUUM PIPE
6. REMOVE NO.3 TIMING BELT COVER
7. DISCONNECT HOSES AND ENGINE WIRE
a. Disconnect the air assist hose from the intake manifold.
B. Disconnect the water bypass hose (from the water outlet) from the throttle body.
C. Disconnect the 2 ground terminals from the intake manifold.

HINT: At time of the installation, place refer to the following item. Tighten so that each calking part should inside.

D. Disconnect the throttle position sensor connector.
E. Disconnect the 6 injector connectors.
F. Disconnect the camshaft position sensor connector.
G. Disconnect the knock sensor 2 connector.
H. Disconnect the starter connector.
I. Disconnect the engine wire clamp from the clamp bracket on the intake manifold.
J. Remove the 3 nuts, and disconnect the engine wire protector from the intake manifold.

8. REMOVE FUEL PRESSURE PULSATION DAMPER
9. REMOVE PS PUMP REAR STAY

Torque: 39.2 N.M (400 kgf. Cm, 29 ft. Lbf)

10. REMOVE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY
11. REMOVE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

Remove the 2 bolts and camshaft position sensor.

Torque: 9.0 N.M (90 kgf. Cm, 80 in. Lbf)

INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

_______________________________________

Let me know if you find something or get the codes that are now stored on the computer.

I hope something here helps.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
MSCOLEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi.
The codes are p0346, p0420, p0430 and p0300.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

The P0346 indicates an issue with the camshaft position sensor, (sensor A bank 2). If that is what was replaced, take the car back.

Code 300 is a random misfire which is most likely the result of the cam sensor.

The last two codes are the same, just for different sides. Both indicate the catalytic converters are not doing what they should. Usually, that is the result of a bad converter.

I would start with the cam sensor. I attached a list of possible causes for the P0346. I would return the vehicle for repairs that you already paid for.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
MSCOLEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Will my car stop on me while I am driving?
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
That is a tough call. In the event the sensor fails, it should force the computer into what is called a closed loop. Basically, the engine runs on very basic predetermined settings. With that, it should not stop. However, anything is possible.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 8:24 PM

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