My 16 year old Daughters 2003 M45 is having the stalling/not starting issue. We replaced the Cam position sensor located near the front of the motor, drivers side. The next day the car had starting issues and began stalling again. Check engine light came on and the code was again- cam position sensor. How many sensors are there, which do I need to replace and where are they? Thanks for the help in advance. (diagrams would be helpful as I am car illiterate) parts numbers would be helpful too.

What was the precise error code? And the car VIN, if you don't mind?

JNKAY41E43M001632 I cant remember the code, I believe it was P0340 or P0430. It was the cam sensor failure bank 1. Strangely, this car was not part of the recall.

mgary wrote:JNKAY41E43M001632 I cant remember the code, I believe it was P0340 or P0430. It was the cam sensor failure bank 1. Strangely, this car was not part of the recall.

Fine. I've dealt with this issue in an earlier post with regard to the M45 2006--which incidentally has the same engine configuration as your 2003. The code you pulled is P0340.
Somehow all these codes are related:
P0011/ P1140:Intake valve timing control position sensor Bank 1
P0021/P1145:Intake valve timing control position sensor Bank 2
P0335:crankshaft position sensor
P0340:camshaft position sensor
Nissan/Infiniti interchanges the names of these sensors (Camshaft Position Sensor, Crankshaft Position Sensor, and Intake Valve Timing Control Sensor (IVT or VTC) depending on location in the vehicle. They are all identical and so are their part codes.
Camshaft: 23731m & 23731MA
Crankshaft: 23731T; 23731TA; & 23731U
IVT/VTC: 23731Y
For your car, there is only one camshaft sensor and one crankshaft sensor. It seems too that what you changed was the bank 1 IVT sensor, and so the problem and error code stayed on. Now, even though you have an error code for the camshaft sensor, I'd suggest you replace the crankshaft sensor as well because usually a weak crankshaft sensor could make the camshaft sensor dysfunctional.The interesting point is that both have the same part number 23731-4M50B (old number was 23731-4M506)The camshaft sensor is located in the engine bay under the air box (intake air duct), while the crankshaft is under the tranny. Because of the interchangeability I just mentioned, the parts are likely to come under the name crankshaft sensor---why not, it's the same part number; what's different is the part code, i.e. the location of the parts in the vehicle.
I'd advise you use oem sensors. Good luck.
PS. Perhaps I should add that the part number for the two IVT or VTC sensors is 23731-2Y52A (new) or 23731-2Y524 (old). It might come as camshaft sensor from some dealers.

Can a cam sensor be used in place of the time management sensor?? The reason I ask is because the local mechanic put a cam sensor in the time management bank. Car is running good now with a new cam sensor in the right location

mgary wrote:Can a cam sensor be used in place of the time management sensor?? The reason I ask is because the local mechanic put a cam sensor in the time management bank. Car is running good now with a new cam sensor in the right location

The last sentence in my last post states that the VTC sensor (I believe what you called time management sensor) is also known as a cam sensor. If this is what has been changed by your mechanic, then it couldn't be addressing the P0340 code of your car. In which case I can't explain why your car is now running fine. Would you know the part number of the "cam sensor" used by your mechanic?

I changed the cam sensor, after the mechanic changed the VTC using what was listed as a cam sensor at the parts dealer. That is when the car improved. The part used for both banks,( both being on the driver side) was Napa Echlin CSS1096. The mechanic thought the bank higher up on the motor was the cam sensor, I noticed it is actually the VTC sensor. Can this part be used in this bank?

Going by oem part numbers, I think not. Even though the car's running well now I'd suggest you run a scan again, just to be absolutely certain all's well.

there is 2 VTC sensors, correct? Thanks for your help!

Yes, for banks one and two.

Thanks, think we have it figured out. Need to pull the cam sensor the idiot mechanic put in the ITC bank and put in correct sensor, than I will change crankshaft sensor.

This will leave me with an additional cam sensor, if I read it correctly, youre saying I could use that in the crankshaft bank?

Yes, hoping it is of the recommended part number. Btw, aren't you installing oem sensors?

I ordered a OEM VTC sensor, but the cam sensor is from Napa. Is that not ok?

Not ok. Use oem and request for the part number I gave earlier. I hope too that the VTC you ordered were of the part number I listed?

Yes, I used your part number. Why is it not ok to use Napa parts? Where is the best place to buy these parts?

Oem are more durable. Check these two sites:
http://www.infinitipartsdepartment.com/ ... eid=215846
http://sawgrassinfinitiparts.com/nissan ... eid=216673
Where did you place the order for the VTC?

http://www.infinitipartsdepartment.com/parts/index.cfm your part number for the VTC sensor, I need drivers side, so I would buy the left correct?

It's ok. Has identical structure to infiniti parts department. However, I've observed prices at infiniti parts department to be cheapest.

mgary wrote:http://www.infinitipartsdepartment.com/parts/index.cfm your part number for the VTC sensor, I need drivers side, so I would buy the left correct?

Come to think of it, why are you changing the VTC? The error code was for cam/crank sensor (s). If you must change the VTC sensor, then I'd advise you change both (left/right; banks1/2). Further, place order for the VTC, and not the cam senors left and right.

Because the idiot mechanic put a cam sensor in the drivers side VTC bank

Costee wrote:

mgary wrote:http://www.infinitipartsdepartment.com/parts/index.cfm your part number for the VTC sensor, I need drivers side, so I would buy the left correct?

Come to think of it, why are you changing the VTC? The error code was for cam/crank sensor (s). If you must change the VTC sensor, then I'd advise you change both (left/right; banks1/2). Further, place order for the VTC, and not the cam senors left and right.

The VTC part number lists right and left options. Are they the same?

Yes, but as I said place order for the VTC specifically.

Replaced driver side VTC sensor and cam sensor. Car ran great yesterday. This morning car stalled and will not start. What do I do now? Crankshaft sensor will be here in morning.

mgary wrote:Replaced driver side VTC sensor and cam sensor. Car ran great yesterday. This morning car stalled and will not start. What do I do now? Crankshaft sensor will be here in morning.

Fingers crossed till then.

Costee wrote:

mgary wrote:Replaced driver side VTC sensor and cam sensor. Car ran great yesterday. This morning car stalled and will not start. What do I do now? Crankshaft sensor will be here in morning.

Fingers crossed till then. However, ensure that the cam sensor and the crank sensor you are expecting are OEM. As I earlier stated they are one and the same.

still not starting

problem solved. Out of gas, faulty fuel gauge

mgary wrote:problem solved. Out of gas, faulty fuel gauge

Thanks for reporting.