The 350Z has two camshaft position sensors—one for each bank of its DOHC V6 engine.
The Nissan 350Z uses the VQ35DE 3.5-liter V6, a dual overhead cam design that requires a camshaft position sensor for each bank to monitor cam timing. These sensors work alongside the crankshaft position sensor to synchronize ignition and fuel delivery. If a sensor fails or is faulty, you may see rough running, misfires, or a Check Engine Light, and codes related to cam timing can appear.
What the camshaft sensors do
The following points describe the role and setup of the 350Z’s camshaft position sensors.
- The engine uses two camshaft position sensors, one for each bank (bank 1 and bank 2).
- Locations are on the timing cover area near the corresponding camshafts; each sensor reads a tone wheel on its camshaft.
- They provide the ECM with cam timing data to coordinate ignition and fuel injection with crankshaft position.
- Symptoms of sensor failure can include engine misfires, rough idle, stalling, or MIL/CHECK ENGINE light; diagnostic codes often reference cam timing or sensor faults.
- Replacement is generally straightforward and each sensor is independent, so a faulty sensor does not automatically imply the other is bad.
For model-year specifics or variations in market editions, consult the service manual or a qualified technician, as some early or region-specific configurations may show minor differences in sensor placement.
Locations and related timing components
Understanding sensor placement helps with testing and replacement. The camshaft sensors accompany other timing components like the crankshaft position sensor, which together ensure accurate engine timing across the VQ35DE engine family.
When diagnosing timing-related issues, verify both camshaft sensors and their wiring, and consider the crank sensor and timing chain/belt condition as part of a comprehensive check.
Summary
In summary, the 350Z equipped with the VQ35DE engine has two camshaft position sensors—one for each bank—to monitor cam timing and keep ignition and fuel delivery properly synchronized. This setup is standard across 2002–2009 350Z models, with sensor faults being a common source of timing-related problems.