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Newbie poster here!
Let me start by saying there are a few forums with this issue detailed, but I wanted to explain my specific experience and ask for any input from people with similar problems:

i bought the car (2002 civic 1.7) used and on its first oil change, had the CEL ran and came back as P0420 bank 1-cat below threshold per downstream o2 sensor. I was told by many different mechanics that this code should not affect performance of the vehicle unless that cat was clogged, which they didn’t believe to be the case as it ran fine. Several months later, as the summer began to heat up, I experienced an issue where my car went into limp mode after 25 minutes at 65-70 mph. I cut the engine, restarted, no more issues for the remainder 30 min drive home. The next time, a week later, I had the same issue, at exactly the same place on the same drive. Note, this was on the return drive-it made the same exact trip with no issues on the way there. Only this time, it took several restarts to get the car out of limp mode, at which point it got me home without problems. I had a mechanic change the oil and run codes- P1361 P1362 P1456 and P0420. I limped the car home- it would no longer leave limp mode. I replaced the camshaft position sensor, and it started perfectly and drove for two weeks, under conditions that had previously caused limp mode. Again, after two weeks passed, during a 45 minute
drive at high speeds, the car went into limp mode on the drive to the friends. Restarting did not help the problem. I limped to a friends, where the car sat for 6 hours, and drove it home for an hour with no issues in the cooler night under the same conditions that normally caused the issue. A week later, I made the same drive. Again, 30 minutes into the drive there (not back) the car went into limp mode. I was a distance from my friends, so I tried to limp there. The engine began to run hotter than normal. I allowed it to cool for 30 minutes, slightly under running temp, it still started in limp mode, and limped to a gas station. My coolant was low. Not sure why, perhaps my mechanic did not refill it adequately after the water pump change. I added fluid and it sat for 6 hours. I drove home with no issues. Today, I tested it again. It got 30 minutes down the road, and went into limp mode. Allowing it to sit for 20 minutes or so allowed the engine temp to drop to half of running temp, and allowed the car to run outside of limp mode for 20 minutes or so. I went to the parts store and bought another sensor. I replaced that today, making for the second camshaft position sensor i have put on it(I’m getting good at this). I left to get McDonald’s, and after being on the road for 15 minutes at night, it again went into limp mode. My next step is to use the diagnostics steps outlined in this thread to check for wiring in-continuities to the sensor (reply 6) https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...-civic-lx.html
following that, I’m inclined to replace the cat and o2 sensors, as those camshaft sensor codes and cat codes seem to be found together oftentimes on the forum.
both of my camshaft position sensor have been bought by local chain part stores, and I have a Honda sensor coming in the mail on Friday, at which point it will be installed and I will be receiving a refund from the parts stores for their insanely overpriced products.
I apologize for the length of the post, but I want to be detailed as this seems to be a common issues that a lot of people have variety of accompanying codes/issues with and the resolutions can be as widespread as a new sensor/wiring issues/new computers and crankshaft endplay. I don’t know a ton about cars, but I know it’s just a matter of committing yourself to learning and taking things slowly and methodically. Also, I have thrown parts at this to try to fix it: two camshaft sensors, a fuel pump, and recently had the timing belt and water pump changed, which lead my mechanic to changing the alternator as well. I’m now preparing myself to purchase the upstream and downstream o2 sensors, and the connection harness for the camshaft sensor. So my questions, to anyone willing to lend insight:

has anyone had any experience or insight as to if/why/how heat can cause intermittent failure of the camshaft sensors on 2002 Civics?

Does anyone have experience or sight on a relationship between Cat issues (specifically those referenced above) and having an intermittent Failure camshaft position sensor?

how likely is it, and how would I check, if my problem is in fact coming from too much endplay within the crankshaft?

after two new sensor installations with results ranging from short term success to seemingly worsening of issues, I’m at a loss for my next step past checking electrical continuity. Thanks to all!

 
Rep Power: 126

Did you properly burp the hoses when refilling with coolant? There may be air in the lines which is causing your overheating issue.

As for your cam sensor, Honda’s hate cheap knockoff electronics.

I apologize in advance if you covered any of that. I’m running on about 2 hours of sleep and can’t be bothered to read all of it, quite frankly.

 
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I have the exact same issue, mine isn't as frequent as yours but definitely the same intermittent issue. I know this is 5 years old but did you ever figure out what was causing it? My camshaft position sensors seem to last about 6 months and die

 
Rep Power: 222

Are you buying oe denso sensors?

 
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I bought and installed no less that 4 or 5 camshaft sensors from box stores, and each one failed. Bought one off rock auto and never had the issue again. Had the car for another year or so following that.

 
Rep Power: 367

Hondas no like aftermarket sensors (all) and alternators, so if you are not buying Denso or NTK, that's where the issue is