I have a 98 A6 Quattro. This engine code comes and goes but now it comes on and stays on all of the time.

P1392 code (Open or short to B+ for left bank cam sensor)

The car is running well. and the dealer told me it is ok to drive it.
Do I need to change the cam sensor? Shop wants $300, $160 for labor $140 for part.
Or is there something I can try first?

Thanks

 

What engine do you have in there? How many miles?

When was the last time someone serviced the car, and what was done?

P1392 is sometimes caused during service, sometimes not. Could be bad, pinched or unplugged wires, or as bad as the timing belt being off a tooth.

A little more info will help.

--
Paul

 

137K miles on the V6 30 valve engine.

The last service done on the car was a month ago, they changed the ac compressor bracket. It had cracked in half and rattled the car when the air was on.

I checked the connection at the sensor, disconnected and reconnected the wire.
The code still comes back after I clear it. It is the only code there when I check it.

 

I found this on another forum. Should help test the sensors and wires.

From Bentley:

Using a Multimeter , Check the Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor electrical harness connector terminals 1 to 3 for voltage.
Specified value: about 5.0 V
Switch the ignition off.
If the specification was not obtained:
Checking wiring
If the manufacturers test box is not being used. Perform the following step.
Remove the Engine Control Module (ECM) J220 . Refer to Engine Control Module (ECM) J220 , replacing .
Using a Multimeter , Check the Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor G40 or Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor 2 G163 electrical harness connector to the Engine Control Module (ECM) J220 electrical harness connector for an open circuit.
(Engine Code ATQ)
Camshaft Position (CMP) Engine Control Module (ECM) J220
Sensor 2 G163 electrical electrical harness connector
harness connector terminals T121 terminals or test box sockets
1 98
2 86
3 108
Camshaft Position (CMP) Engine Control Module (ECM) J220
Sensor G40 electrical harness electrical harness connector T121
connector terminals terminals or test box sockets
1 98
2 87
3 108
(Engine Code AHA)
Sensor 2 G163 Engine Control Module
(ECM) J220 electrical harness connector
T80 terminals or test box sockets
1 11
2 76
3 67
Specified value: 1.5 Ω Max.
If the specified value was not obtained:
Check the wiring connection for an open circuit, short circuit to Battery (+) or Ground (GND).
Check the wiring connection for damage, corrosion, lose or broken terminals.
If necessary, repair the faulty wiring connection.
If no malfunction is found in the wiring and voltage supply was OK:
Replace the Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor G40 or Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor 2 G163 .
If no malfunction is found in the wiring and voltage supply was not OK:
Erase the DTC memory. Refer to Diagnostic Mode 04: Reset/delete diagnostic data
Perform a road test to verify repair.
If the DTC does not return:
Repair complete, Generate readiness code. Refer to Readiness Code Description .
End diagnosis.
If the DTC does return and no malfunction is detected in the wiring and the voltage supply was OK:
Replace the Engine Control Module (ECM) J220 . Refer to Engine Control Module (ECM) J220 , replacing .
Assembly is performed in the reverse of the removal.
Final procedures
After repair work, the following work steps must be performed in the following sequence:
Check the DTC memory.
If necessary, erase the DTC memory.
If the DTC memory was erased, generate readiness code.

 

I rechecked the wires over the weekend and looks like it may be a short in the wire.
Can I change just the wire connecting the sensor to the ECM? The code has not come back in a couple of days since I cleared it, this is why I think it is the wire. Have you changed wires like this one before, it is all intertwined with other cables through out the engine?

 

You can change the wire without a problem, but if I were you I'd be concerned that other wires in the bundle might have the same problem in the future. But Hey - we all like to live dangerously sometimes....


If I had time I would disconnect each end of the wire and patch in a battery and bulb from a flashlight or use an Ohm meter and start wiggling wires to see if I could find the break.. Chances are good that the problem is the connector and you'll find nothing else wrong...But since it is about 10 years old you never know...

 

Does anyone know where the sensor is on the drivers side? I have looked and cant find it.

 

I had the sensor changed and the code comes back. The shop check all the other requirements and everything else checked out that generates this code. I have been told all I can do now is have a dealer read the code.

Any suggestions as to what to do next to get rid of this code. The shop also suggested that the cams could be bad and need replacement? I thought that that was a bit extreme.

 

Did you fix the wire?

 

The shop checked the wires and the wires were good.