P0340: Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
Your camshaft position sensor is an essential part of your vehicle’s electrical system. This sensor requires a series of electrical connectors and wiring to function properly, so there could be many trouble points throughout the system. Here are some common symptoms, causes and solutions if you’re wondering, “How do I fix trouble code P0340?”
What Are P0340 Error Code Symptoms?
If your vehicle is suffering from a loss of engine power, it could be linked with a P0340 error code. Symptoms of an OBD-II scanner error code P0340 problem also include misfiring, stalling, and other engine and ignition problems.
Another common issue is a complete ignition failure. As the computer signal weakens, your vehicle’s camshaft position sensor may prevent your ignition from sparking at all. This will, of course, prevent you from starting your engine. A minor symptom that may not be as apparent is a drop in fuel mileage. With a bad sensor or damaged wiring, your vehicle may inject more fuel into your engine than necessary, which makes it far less efficient and lowers your gas mileage.
Depending on your vehicle, you may also experience shifting issues. Damage to your camshaft position sensor can lock your transmission and prevent you from shifting up or down. If you turn your engine off, wait a few minutes, then restart your engine and you can shift successfully, this is a sign that you have issues with your camshaft position sensor circuitry.
Possible Causes of P0340
One common misconception with an error code P0340 is the source of the issue. While this error code deals with the camshaft position sensor, it can be caused by any electrical issue related to this sensor. This means that replacing your sensor may not be the right solution. Before you look for solutions, consider these possible causes of this error code:
- An open circuit within the wiring
- A failed powertrain control module
- Grounded, broken, or shorted wire or connector in the circuit
- A damaged or failed camshaft or crankshaft position sensor
You’ll need to carefully inspect your sensor and wiring to determine the exact cause. A P0340 error code only indicates a circuit malfunction, which could be caused by a number of components.
Potential Solutions
Don’t let these possible causes and dangerous symptoms prevent you from a comprehensive repair. There are many different solutions, depending on the particular circuit issue. Before you arrive at a solution, you need to determine what does the code P0340 mean? Here are a few potential solutions, depending on the cause of the error code.
First, find your camshaft position sensor. This sensor is typically mounted behind the cylinder head, in the lifter valley or next to your engine block. A camshaft position sensor tracks the camshaft position in relation to the crankshaft in order to improve your ignition and fuel injection systems.
Visually inspect the sensor and all the wiring and connectors. While the sensor itself can be damaged, a loose wire, missing connector, or broken wire casing can create a short and cause an error code P0340. Pushing together loose connectors can sometimes solve the issue.
Another solution is to replace connectors or wiring. If your wiring is damaged or your connectors are older, you may experience inefficiencies in the circuit. When your camshaft position sensor has a poor circuit it may fail to work properly. Test the voltage of the circuit to ensure adequate connections and proper voltage.
Finally, inspect the crankshaft position sensor and circuit as well. This interdependent system causes many of the same symptoms as a camshaft position sensor, and damage to one may apply to both. Once you inspect, repair, or replace your wiring and sensors, test your ignition and acceleration to ensure a full recovery.
