Alfa 156 Hard Start & Stalling Points to Failed Sensor

Had similar symptoms on my Alfa 159 2.2 JTS from 2009. The engine would struggle to maintain idle and frequently stalled. The check engine light triggered due to the camshaft position sensor failing to properly read the encoder wheel. The engine control module was receiving incorrect timing signals, causing engine misfire and rough running. The main issue was not the sensor itself, but the encoder wheel on the camshaft had developed defects. This meant replacing both the camshaft sensor and the encoder wheel. It turned out to be a serious repair since accessing the camshaft required significant engine work. The symptoms are very characteristic of this issue on these engines, poor starting, stalling at idle, and erratic performance. Without proper camshaft position data, the engine control unit cannot maintain correct timing. Would strongly suggest getting the error codes read first to confirm if its reporting camshaft position sensor faults. This will help avoid unnecessary repairs and confirm whether your symptoms match this common failure point.

Thanks for the detailed response about the camshaft position sensor issue. I had exactly the same problem, and the symptoms match perfectly, especially the stalling at idle and starting troubles. The ignition timing was completely off because of the faulty sensor. My engine control unit was also showing the same error codes. I went ahead with the repair, and they replaced both the crankshaft sensor and the encoder wheel. The car runs perfectly now. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you paid for the complete fix? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the repair? Would be good to know if any related issues popped up later.

Great to hear you got it fixed. After my repair with the camshaft sensor and encoder wheel replacement, the car has been running flawlessly for over 8 months now. The total cost was 695 Euro for parts and labor, which seems in line with what others paid for similar repairs. The fix completely resolved all the ignition timing issues and engine misfire problems I was experiencing. No more stalling at idle or hard starts in the morning. The engine control unit shows no error codes since the repair. Worth every cent considering how well it runs now. Just make sure to keep an eye on engine performance, as these sensors can show early warning signs if they start to fail again, though its pretty rare for the repair to need redoing if done properly the first time.

Here's my story after getting it fixed. After reading about similar issues and sensor failures, I decided to take it to a different mechanic who specialized in sensor testing and diagnostics. The new shop properly diagnosed the camshaft sensor problem after running a complete scan. They found both the sensor and encoder wheel needed replacement. Total bill came to 720 Euro, which included parts and labor. Bit expensive but worth it. The check engine light is now off and the car starts immediately. No more stalling issues at idle. The ignition timing is spot on and the engine runs smoothly. Been driving it for about 2 months now without any problems. Much better experience with this mechanic, they explained everything clearly and finished the job in one day. Really glad I got a second opinion instead of going back to my previous mechanic who missed this issue completely.