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Starting System Faults — Crankshaft & Camshaft Sensor Synchronization

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The T1N Sprinter's starting system relies on accurate crankshaft (B73) and camshaft (B108) sensor signals for the ECU to time injection and crank the engine. Synchronization faults between these two sensors are a documented cause of no-start or hard-start conditions on all T1N model years.

Symptoms

  • Engine cranks but will not start or starts and immediately stalls [4]
  • Hard starting, especially after the engine has been sitting [4]
  • Fault code P1354 (in one of several sub-variants) stored in the engine ECU related to crankshaft/camshaft synchronization error [4]
  • No crankshaft signal detected from sensor B73, logged as P1354 016 [4]
  • No camshaft signal detected from sensor B108, logged as P1354 064 [4]
  • Main injection correction reported as faulty alongside a flywheel inspection alert, logged as P1354 128 [4]

Causes

  • Faulty crankshaft position sensor B73 — sensor failure or damaged wiring/connector [4]
  • Faulty camshaft position sensor B108 — sensor failure or damaged wiring/connector [4]
  • Damaged or missing signal splines (tone ring teeth) on the flywheel, causing P1354 128 [4]
  • Plausibility error between crankshaft and camshaft position signals — both sensors may be functional but out of sync, logged as P1354 032 [4]
  • Wiring fault (open circuit or short) on either sensor cable [4]

Diagnosis

  • Scan the ECU for fault codes; look specifically for P1354 with any sub-code (002, 016, 032, 064, or 128) to pinpoint whether the fault is crankshaft-side, camshaft-side, or a plausibility/flywheel issue [4]
  • P1354 016 points to no crankshaft signal from B73 — inspect the sensor and its cable first [4]
  • P1354 064 points to no camshaft signal from B108 — inspect sensor B108 and its cable [4]
  • P1354 128 directs you to check the flywheel for damaged signal splines in addition to inspecting sensors and cables [4]
  • P1354 032 indicates a plausibility error between crankshaft and camshaft positions — check both sensors, their mounting gaps, and wiring integrity [4]
  • P1354 002 indicates the camshaft sensor signal frequency is too high — suspect a faulty B108 sensor [4]
  • Visually inspect connector pins and wiring harness routing near both sensors for chafing, corrosion, or broken wires [4]

Repair

Replacing a crankshaft or camshaft position sensor on the T1N is a straightforward job that most mechanically inclined owners can perform. The critical steps are identifying the correct failed sensor from the fault code sub-code, inspecting the flywheel tone ring if P1354 128 is present, and verifying wiring integrity. A damaged flywheel tone ring is a more serious finding that would require professional attention.

Read first

  • Disconnect the battery negative terminal before working on sensor wiring to avoid accidental short circuits.
  • If the flywheel tone ring is found to be damaged (P1354 128), do not attempt to file or dress the splines — the flywheel must be replaced to restore accurate crank signals [4].

Tools

  • OBD-II / CAN scan tool capable of reading Mercedes/Freightliner fault codes and sub-codes
  • Basic hand tools (socket set, screwdrivers) for sensor removal
  • Multimeter for wiring continuity and short-circuit checks
  • Inspection light or borescope (if checking flywheel tone ring in-situ)

Steps

  1. Step 1 — Scan for fault codes and record the exact P1354 sub-code to determine which sensor (B73 crankshaft or B108 camshaft) is implicated, or whether the flywheel needs inspection [4].
  2. Step 2 — Locate the implicated sensor. Crankshaft sensor B73 is mounted near the flywheel/flexplate; camshaft sensor B108 is mounted on the cylinder head area near the camshaft gear.
  3. Step 3 — Inspect the sensor wiring harness and connector for open circuits, shorts, chafing, or corrosion. Repair any wiring faults before replacing the sensor [4].
  4. Step 4 — If P1354 128 is stored, inspect the flywheel for damaged or missing signal splines before replacing any sensor [4].
  5. Step 5 — Disconnect the battery negative terminal before unplugging the sensor connector.
  6. Step 6 — Remove the mounting bolt securing the sensor, pull the sensor out, and install the replacement. Ensure the sensor seats fully and the air gap (if applicable) is correct.
  7. Step 7 — Reconnect the connector and battery, then clear all stored fault codes and perform a drive cycle to confirm the fault does not return [4].

Torque specs

  • Limited corpus coverage — try the chat for diagnostic guidance.

Parts

Plain part names — affiliate links and pricing are coming in a later update.

  • Crankshaft position sensor (B73) — if crankshaft signal fault confirmed
  • Camshaft position sensor (B108) — if camshaft signal fault confirmed
  • Sensor connector/pigtail repair kit — if wiring harness damage is found

From the manuals

  • Mercedes fault-code reference

    "P0180 002 Fuel temperature sensor (830) The signal voltage is too high. P0190 001 Rail pressure sensor (8113) The signal voltage is too low. P0190 002 Rail pressure sensor (8113) The signal voltage is too high. P0190 004 Rail pressure sensor {B 113) The voltage supply value Is too high or too low P0190 128 Rail pressure sensor (8113) Plausibility of signals between rail pressure sensor (8113) and pressure control valve P0201 001 Injector cylinder 1 (Y16) Excess current on control cable P0201 004 Injector cylinder 1 (Y16) Excess current on common cable P0201 008 Injector cylinder 1 (Y16) Cable"

  • Mercedes fault-code reference

    "002 Vehicle speed signal The signal voltage is too high. 00 008 Vehicle speed signal The CAN message is invalid. !?500 128 Vehicle speed signal The frequency is too large. 004 CAN Event The CAN-bus is faulty. 008 CAN Event Cable short between CAN-H and CAN-L cables. CAN-bus cannot transmit messages. 016 CAN Event Cable short between CAN-H and CAN-L cables. CAN-bus cannot transmit messages. :600 032 CAN Event CAN-bus cables faulty. 03 001 CAN Brake signal The CAN message is implausible. Ollil'nlel (Mercedes-Benz and FreighUiner) and Dodge Acronyms used: OAJllLEll --NJ-- ABS /lBW N>S ARS BA CDll"

  • Mercedes fault-code reference

    "2625 8 Fuel temperature sensor (830) The signal from the fuel temperature sensor (830) is faulty 2633 1 Mass air flow sensor (8101) The signal from the mass air flow sensor (8101) is faulty 2634 1 Rail pressure monitoring via volume Low fuel pressure or a leak in low pressure side has been reported. control valve 2635 1 Rail pressure monitoring via volume Low fuel pressure or a leak in low pressure side has been reported. control valve 2636 1 Rail pressure monitoring via volume Low fuel pressure or a leak in low pressure side has been reported. control valve 2637 1 Rail pressure monitoring via"

  • Mercedes fault-code reference

    "(A80) P1187 001 Rail pressure monitoring The maximum pressure has been exceeded. P1187 002 Rail pressure monitoring The rail pressure is too low. P1187 004 Rail pressure monitoring Fuel rail cannot pressurize. P1187 008 Rail pressure monitoring The pressure control valve jams in the closed position. P1187 016 Rail pressure monitoring Leakage detected P1187 032 Rail pressure monitoring Leakage detected P1187 064 Rail pressure monitoring Control variation is greater than 1500 rpm P1188 004 Element shut off or high pressure Cable has a short circuit to voltage{+) or short circuit to ground(-). pu"

  • Mercedes fault-code reference

    "The now limiter has been activated. camshaft sensor (B108) Synchronization error between P1354 002 crankshaft sensor (B73) and Camshaft sensor (B108) is faulty. Frequency of camshaft signal is too high. camshaft sensor (B108) Synchronization error between ~I P1354 016 crankshaft sensor (B73) and Faulty sensors or cables. No crankshaft signal from 873. camshaft sensor (8108) Synchronization error between Faulty sensors or cables. Plausibility error between crankshaft and camshaft P1354 032 crankshaft sensor (B73) and position signals. camshaft sensor (B108) Synchronization error between f P1354"

  • Mercedes fault-code reference

    "ECll $Sii TOI DESCRIPTION Airbag Anll-lod< 8nlldng System Airbag with Wl-Airbag Novfgotion S-(Ila Only) Al-WMel Drive (MB Only) Bocl<up Aniol (FIOciD<y-) Common Rail Oieso4 ln)octton Anti-tMl!Allltm -T,,.,-...., Control DAIMLER ESPEWll HZR Kl RD WSP ZHE ZUH rv OOCllS~ CAB Sl.11 ATC IC AAlllO SKREEll CMM liSM C1M DESCRJP110N ~~Con~trol~~~~~~ Goar Shift i.-ConllOI Unil HoallngAlr Conditioning Control lnalnlrnont Cl.,..., -(F-.Y lnoUllod ....iios only) lrnmobillzo< System Aw<m..yAuxl"-'Y -8-at.r Cent..i Locl<lng System N/Ao Noi Appll~ torus llodela 159 ----- Event SUb Monitored Variable Or Compon"

Sources

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Generated 5/4/2026 · claude-sonnet-4-6