I was normally driving the other day. Not pushing the car just casually driving, and the cel came on. I later checked it and both p1078 and p1084 codes were both showing. Is it possible that both cam sensors went bad at the same time, or is there a more concerning issue I need to look into? The car feels a bit under powered and it idles at 1000-1200rpm. I have stopped driving since because I don’t want to create a bigger issue for myself. If anyone has any ideas on what could cause this, any insight would be greatly appreciated?

 

I'm guessing this is on a rev up motor yes?

I would start by inspecting the wiring harness for any damage like maybe something melted.

Is the car sluggish to start? This code could also be caused by a failing crank sensor.

 

Yes it’s a rev up, and no the car starts right up, and I can’t find any visible melting on the harness itself.

 

Ok so the exhaust cam sensors are the same as the intake cam sensor on the opposite bank (bank1 has straight intake, angled exhaust, bank2 has angled intake, straight exhaust).

You can actually swap all 4 cam sensors and see if the codes shift to the intake cams. Then you'll know if the sensors are bad.

I would definitely only do them 1 at a time, like take bank1 intake and swap it with bank2 exhaust to start with.

If the codes persist then it's not your cam sensors. In that case I personally would replace the crank sensor unless you know it's got less than 50k miles or only a couple years on it.

Be sure to only use Hitachi or Genuine OEM Nissan sensors (ebay ones listed as Genuine Nissan parts are usually fakes if they're super cheap). Hitachi was the OEM manufacturer for those sensors on the DE engine.

EDIT: CLEAR CODES after you swap sensors.

 

If you do swap the sensors, and the codes disappear, but the engine is running normally, then assume those exhaust cam sensors are actually bad and source some replacements but keep the existing ones and label them as "intake only" or something. I've seen it a few times in the past where a sensor won't actually work on one cam but will work on the opposite one. No clue why, these Nissan ECM's are EXTREMELY touchy about their sensors.

 

If the exhaust cam error codes do still persist then the next step would be to test for power and ground on the cam sensor harness. Pin 3 should have 12vdc (ignition ON), pin 1 should have full time ground.

This does go through the F102-M72 ECM harness (that's the one where the engine harness and main dash harness hook together right next to the ECM) so you might also inspect that harness for any water damage. All you need to do is take off the glove box like when doing a cabin filter replacement and you can see that harness.