Top Dead Center (TDC) Replacement at your home or office.
Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.
Included for free with this service
Online Booking
Mechanic comes to you
12-month / 12k-mile warranty
Free 50 point safety inspection
Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.
How much does Top Dead Center (TDC) Sensor Replacement cost?
It depends on the type of car you drive and the auto repair shop you go to. Our mechanics are mobile, which means they don't have the overhead that repair shops have. They provide you convenience by coming to your home or office.
Top Dead Center (TDC) Sensor Replacement pricing for various cars
| Cars | Estimate | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Savings | Average Dealer Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Mazda RX-8 | $276 | $181.33 | $94.99 | 4% | $288.83 |
| 2008 Nissan Pathfinder | $210 | $114.78 | $94.99 | 5% | $222.28 |
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata | $227 | $132.44 | $94.99 | 5% | $239.94 |
| 2011 Lexus IS250 | $373 | $97.18 | $275.47 | 8% | $408.93 |
| 2014 BMW 640i Gran Coupe | $316 | $182.88 | $132.98 | 5% | $333.38 |
| 2008 Porsche Cayenne | $355 | $184.43 | $170.98 | 5% | $377.93 |
Top Dead Center (TDC) Sensor Replacement Service
What is the Top Dead Center (TDC) Sensor all about?
Every engine, whether a single cylinder engine or a V8 engine, has top dead center. This position is a reference point for engine timing and indicates when a spark plug should fire, igniting the fuel the cylinder’s combustion chamber. Top dead center is when the piston is at the very top of its compression stroke. At this position, the intake and exhaust valves in the cylinder head are closed and the air-fuel mixture is compressed in the cylinder. The TDC sensor monitors a reference point on the camshaft that indicates where top dead center is on a cylinder, usually cylinder number one. It sends a signal to the engine control module which, in turn, communicates to send a spark to the cylinder at top dead center. The spark ignites the fuel and the power stroke begins as the piston is forced downward. The TDC sensor is an electrical component and is prone to failure due to corrosion, cracking, or wearing out. If that occurs, the engine control module may not receive a correctly timed signal and the spark may be sent to the wrong cylinder at the wrong timing, causing your engine to run rough or not run at all.
Keep in mind:
- The top dead center (TDC) sensor is integral to the proper timing of your vehicle. If it is installed incorrectly, your vehicle will not run or run very poorly.
How it's done:
- The vehicle battery is disconnected
- The defective top dead center sensor is removed
- The new top dead center sensor is installed
- The battery is connected and the engine is scanned and cleared of codes
- The repair is verified and the vehicle is road tested for proper operation
Our recommendation:
If your car’s Check Engine light turns on, or if the engine will not run or runs poorly, have one of our expert mechanics inspect the problem and replace the TDC sensor if required.
What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Top Dead Center (TDC) Sensor?
- Engine will not fire or run
- Engine runs poorly and misfires
- Check Engine light is on
- Backfiring is heard from the exhaust
How important is this service?
Since the TDC sensor is integral to a running engine, it is important to address the operating issues associated with it as soon as possible. Other than a possible stalling condition, there are no associated safety concerns with the TDC.
Recent Top Dead Center (TDC) Sensor Replacement reviews
Recent articles & questions
Multiple warning lights but car runs fine
Check engine light and P1345 code
the shop costed me 378 dollars to replace camshaft sensor for 2004 chrysler 300M. am i being ripped off?
How can we help?
Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.