Locating camshaft position crankshaft position bank 1 sensor A on a 2011 tacoma v6 4.0L

Hello everyone. I just joined because I have a check engine light (keeps turning on and off) involving this sensor and any other online searches have been fruitless because whenever I look this up it's either for a newer tacoma or it's for the sensor on the opposite side of the engine. Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I just want to finally know where the hell this thing is so I can see if I can change it myself.

 

What code(s) is it setting, I would recommend doing some checks before replacing sensors as they don't fail very often.

 

P0016. I don't know how else to test it or what for. The scanner I used is pretty simple. The check engine light is coming on and off too.

 

That is a cam timing code, first step for timing codes on a VVT engine is to check engine oil level and condition.

If the engine oil checks out good then best case it's a sticking/failing Bank 1 Oil Control Valve, worst case the timing chain is stretched.
Do you hear a sharp rattle on startup until oil pressure comes up, especially the first start of the day?

 

Oil level and condition are good. There is no issues during start up either...one thing I have noticed though is while in park the engine slightly sounds like its struggling for a brief second and there is a drop...just a sliver...in rpms and then it goes back to normal. Do you think there's a correlation?

 

Possibly but without seeing it I couldn't tell you for sure.

If I was checking it I would be checking Cam/Crank Correlation with an oscilloscope, not being able to do that about all you can do aside from pulling the valve cover and visually checking timing is pull the oil control valve and inspect/replace it.

 

Yeah, it's gotten to the pot a potential to be a so many things that I'm just not sure on. Thank you very much for giving me your insight.

 

Checking Cam/Crank correlation with a scope would be the best least intrusive way to verify timing but unfortunately not many people or even shops/techs for that matter own one or know how to use one.

Without a scope your limited to doing the checks I posted above, the only other thing you could check is to take the inspection cover off the timing chain tensioner and see how far out it is.

 

That's exactly the problem I've been running into. Alot of places I called don't have that scope and the dealership was willing to but at an insane price...so I was just hoping that maybe it's just the sensor with it turning on and off. How do I check it by taking the inspection cover off??

 

Unlike the sensor, I was able to find a video on how to take the cover off. Unfortunately it's pouring where I live so I can't do it today but I will do it asap and let you know how it worked out. Thanks for the information. I'm not knowledgeable about cars so you are a huge help