Audi S4 Camshaft Sensor Causing Misfire & Power Loss

Having dealt with a similar issue on my 2017 S5, I can share my experience. The symptoms were nearly identical, rough idle, hesitation during startup, and the engine would occasionally misfire. The check engine light was also indicating timing-related codes. After some basic troubleshooting, I discovered the camshaft position sensor was causing these problems. The main issue turned out to be a damaged wiring connection to the camshaft sensor, rather than the sensor itself. The workshop found that the connector plug had corroded, causing intermittent signal issues. The fix involved replacing the wiring harness section and cleaning the connection points. Total cost was 95 Euro for parts and labor. Since the repair, the engine has been running smoothly with no more stalling or performance issues. What diagnostic codes is your car showing? Also, have you noticed if the problems get worse in wet weather? This could help determine if its also a connection issue rather than the sensor itself. Could you share: Current mileage, Engine type, Any recent maintenance history, Whether the check engine light is constant or intermittent This information would help compare situations more accurately and suggest the best approach for your specific case.

Last service was done at 95000 KM with standard maintenance package. Thanks for bringing up the wiring connection point, mine is indeed showing similar symptoms during damp weather. The automotive sensor diagnostics showed error code P0341 relating to camshaft position sensor range issues. My S4 has been pretty reliable until now but these timing issues started appearing rather suddenly about 2 weeks ago. The check engine light comes on intermittently, usually after cold starts.

Thanks for providing those details, your symptoms are matching my S5 case even more closely now, especially with the weather correlation and error code P0341. The damp weather sensitivity particularly points to the wiring connection being the likely culprit rather than a complete camshaft sensor failure. After my repair, I learned that these timing-related issues often appear suddenly because corrosion can reach a tipping point where the signal becomes unstable. The rough idling and stalling engine symptoms during cold starts happen because the engine management system receives inconsistent timing data from the sensor. Since your mileage and maintenance history are similar to what mine was, and you're experiencing the same weather-related issues, I strongly suggest having the wiring harness and connector inspected first. In my case, the automotive sensor itself was actually fine, saving significant repair costs by just fixing the connection. Would recommend getting this checked soon though. My initial delay led to more frequent engine stalling episodes, and the rough idling got noticeably worse over just a few weeks. The fix is relatively straightforward when caught early, before the crankshaft timing gets seriously affected. Have you noticed any unusual sounds from the timing chain area since these symptoms started?

Thanks for the detailed response. Yes, Ive started noticing a slight rattling noise from the timing chain area during cold starts, which is concerning. Your experience with the wiring connection issues has been really helpful, makes sense given how my problems worsen in wet conditions. Will get the harness checked first before replacing the whole camshaft sensor assembly. The rough idling and stalling engine symptoms are definitely getting more frequent, especially during the past few days. Based on your timing issues experience, I think I should address this sooner rather than later. Will schedule a workshop visit this week to inspect the wiring connections and sensor setup. The error code staying consistent at P0341 and the intermittent nature of the problem does seem to point toward a connection issue rather than complete sensor failure. Hopefully, its just the wiring harness needing attention like in your case. Will update once I get it looked at.