Just thought I'd throw this in the mix here… I got a CEL P000A that I believe translates to an issue with the cam position sensor. Story short, it came on last Monday and on Wednesday it cleared itself out. Two days later or today it came back on again. I just received the OEM sensor in the mail today and plan on installing it tomorrow morning.

Here some of the things that I need to mention just in case.

1. Timing chain kit, valve cover and walnut blasting completed 3 weeks ago;
2. Cam Position Sensor was replaced last March '14…. got it from NAPA with a 3-yr. warranty versus OEM's 2-yr - this may be the reason for going generic but the 3-yr warranty was very appealing to me at that time. Called NAPA and will take their sensor back no ifs or buts and a full refund.
3. Car runs great and mpg is at 38.X per OBD ( I do 130 miles a day at 95% freeway driving usually at speeds of 70-75 mph with the a/c on).
4. AP is set on stage 1 - i do not think this has anything to do with it.
5. Oil is always full since it was serviced 3 weeks ago. This sounds corny but i check the oil level every day...
6. Car has 110.8K miles.

Has anyone ever dealt with something similar to this before? I am afraid that it might need a new intake manifold and / or reseting the timing as previously posted by one of the members here.

With the CEL being intermittent tells me that the sensor can be loose based from how it was put back together when I had the car serviced.

Any inputs would be awesome.. thanks in advance!

 

* MINI DTC P000A (0x287D) - 'A' Camshaft Position Slow Response (Bank 1)
The ECU is detecting a slow response with the camshaft in relationship to top-dead center (TDC) of the engine.
Verify that camshaft position sensors are working and are not at fault.
Otherwise, engine timing is most likely out of specification and must be reset.
Have it checked IMMEDIATELY!

- Erik

 

Erik, thanks for the clear definition. I will need to set an appointment to get the timing checked out for specification.

Meanwhile, the CEL has not surfaced back up. It has been 5 days of cautious driving. The power is still present and gas mileage very satisfactory. I must also say that I unplugged the cam sensor and plugged it back in the same day the CEL cleared up (last Saturday, 13th). I scanned any faults via AP and no trouble was found. I'd like to think it that the sensor had a poor connection or is bad but until then I will keep the cam sensor from NAPA but once it acts up I will install the OEM on.

 

Mine comes on when's hot, then when it's cool it goes away for a while. Dealership mentioned to set the DME so it's updated. They did a timing chain replacement. I haven't done the DME yet, but i'm hoping that's not involved with the Cam Position Sensor. I've already replaced it.

 

So DME updates will require a trip to the dealership? Makes sense… I wonder how the costs will be. I do know that the software installation usually runs $200 and maybe it's safe to think that it will be comparable.

 

They've quoted me $180. Does anyone have a the linky to program the DME? Is that going to fix this P000a issue? Anyone knows about this stuff. This has been on going for 6 months. What I did:

A. Timing Chain / Tensioner replacement (Dealership Warranty).
B. Thermostat Housing Change / Sensor replacment (rockauto).
C. Water Pump / Vacuum Replacement (Dealership Warranty).
D. Valve Cover Replacement (eBay Prestige Dealership Texas)
E. CamShaft Sensor (Ark Buckley) Replacement.

What else is there for this P000a?

If I clear it, it seems to run better.

 

I've done all the items on your list but it seemed way before the P000A showed up. My theory is/was the cam position sensor is/was loose and had to uninstall and reinstalled. It's been week 3 since the last time I saw the CEL.

Have you tried an OEM cam sensor perhaps? A Berkley? I assume that you can still return it.

The only thing that has prevented me from moving on in getting the timing checked, as heavily suggested by Erik aka Bluefox280 (or this latest development - DME) is, the car is running exceptionally well (power and etc.) and gas mileage is still at the high 39.X per OBD but in the real world it should be 36-37 mpg. I do 120 miles each day of 99.9% freeway driving and any variations in performance can be felt right away. If this DME flash/update camouflages any issues ... then I am screwed and perhaps doing more harm as we speak.