P1381 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction

Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 181,000 MILES
Hello, I desperately need help. So I have used a scan tool and popped up p1381 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 circuit malfunction and MAP sensor. I have replaced the distributor rotor only cause the cap is good, I have replaced the CKP/TDC crankshaft position sensor and replaced my balance shaft belt and I have seen my timing belt is new as well as the water pump. So those parts was good and use scan tool again and pops up open again with P1381 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 circuit Malfunction. So I am thinking is it talking about the camshaft itself connect to the camshaft pulley under the valve cover or is it a small sensor I need to replace? Please help my money is bouncing everywhere and I just want to fix it and pass my emission test. :( All I need to know is what is that part causing that check engine light so I can clear it and pass my emission. Please help me. :(
Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 8:47 AM

48 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

With this code, I always replaced the distributor with a remanufactured one that contains all the sensors. I have never had any luck replacing just the sensors due to the shaft being worn in the distributor itself.

Roy

P1381
Descriptor
Probable Causes
Distributor Ignition Housing
Engine Control Module (ECM)/Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
Poor Connections or Loose Terminals Between Distributor and Engine Control Module (ECM)/Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
Wire Between Engine Control Module (ECM)/Powertrain Control Module (PCM) C4 and Distributor Shorted
Wire Between Engine Control Module (ECM)/Powertrain Control Module (PCM) C4, C14 and Distributor Open

P1381
The scan tool indicates Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1381: Intermittent interruption in the Cylinder Position (CYP) sensor circuit.

DESCRIPTION
The CYP Sensor detects the position of No. 1 cylinder for sequential fuel injection to each cylinder.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
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Thanks Roy, I am going to check it out today. When you say re-manufactured do you mean at the Honda dealership instead of AutoZone Carquest and other places? Hopefully this works out and I hope it is not the shaft itself under the valve cover that would be bad. :( Again thanks more replies would be more helpful. :)
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
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The shaft is part of the distributor.

AutoZone, Advanced, Pepboys and O'Reilly's all carry the unit.

Roy
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 9:49 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
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So all I need the cap because I have replaced the distributor rotor only not the cap, correct? Or I do not know. :( I am just ready to buy it now and give it a shot if not I will buy a new ECM/PCM.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
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Not the ECM at all. Do not waste your money on that.

Correct, just the cap.

Roy
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
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Okay Roy, I am going to go for your word and go get this cap right now and give it a shot. I am having fingers and toes crossed and wish me luck. Again thanks so much. :) I will replay to see what happens. :)
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 10:00 AM
Tiny
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Cap?

I suggested the entire distributor not just the cap.

Roy
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 10:02 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
  • MEMBER
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Oh, because I purchased the distributor rotor like a month ago and I lost the receipt. :( So should I just might as well get the entire distributor or the cap only? Sorry that is why I wanted to figure this out because my money is going and going. :(
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
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The entire distributor as I suggested. It does not come with the cap.

Roy
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
  • MEMBER
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Sorry, I mean I did not buy the distributor cap only the distributor rotor at AutoZone like a month ago, but I am going to Carquest or Advance Auto parts tomorrow to see if I can solve this. I do have a bit of corrosion just small little blue sprinkles on the battery do I need to replace or just wash off? Thanks Roy and if anyone can reply please do I really need the help. :/ Thank you all.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 9:44 PM
Tiny
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Yes, you need to clean off the battery. Use baking soda to neutralize the acid build up on the battery.

Roy
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 4:46 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
Okay, again thanks. I am going to get another entire distributor and clean off the battery and if shows engine light I will ask for a scan tool right after I buy the distributor and after I will go back and ask for a scan tool again. Thanks and wish me luck today.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 6:48 AM
Tiny
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Sounds like a plan.

Roy
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
So, I got the distributor in order so I have to wait until it comes in the store. I asked for the scan tool again and pops up p1381 cylinder position sensor. The second is the cylinder position noise and on the screen when it says cylinder position noise the top right screen says ECM above page 2 of the screen of the code P1381.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
  • MEMBER
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Alternator? But it looks in good shape or good condition and I can still see somewhat tag on the alternator from Carquest.
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 10:23 AM
Tiny
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No to the alternator.

Codes never tell you parts, it just tells you the system failure.

Roy
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
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Hmm, like it turns on every three times I crank it. Turns on very nice and car is good everything good, but when I drive and when I make a stop or press brake sounds like it is slowing like ruddy small noise almost like it is losing power and could possibly turn off. It is on if it continues like that and sometimes the mph odometer messes up that the arrow is stuck on the 20 mph but the rpm is fine. But, yea when driving at night I can see the light of the dashboard that when I make a stop at a red light after a complete stop I can see the lights fading on the dashboard like it is about to lose power. Any suggestion of the part or still distributor?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 11:06 AM
Tiny
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That is some new information. If the lights are dimming, check the belt tension on the alternator. If it is good and tight, then yes, you may have a failure in the alternator, but it is not related to the code.

Roy
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
MIGUEL VARGAS2
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That would be weird if it is because the last two parts I am thinking in my mind is the camshaft engine part inside the engine under the valve cover or the ECM/PCM, but should I get the alternator as well or try the distributor?
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
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The distributor is for the 1381 code.

The alternator is for the lights dimming. You have two separate issues.

Roy
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 AT 11:29 AM

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