P0344 Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1) Trouble Code

P0344 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent

OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description

Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1)

What does that mean?

This is a generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC), which means it covers all makes/models starting around 2003. The code seems more common on Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Jeep, BMW, and Acura vehicles, but any make vehicle can be affected. Specific troubleshooting steps will vary depending on the vehicle.

These vehicles can have a single camshaft in block, or a single (SOHC) or dual (DOHC) overhead camshafts, but this code is strictly concerned about the incoming signal from the camshaft position sensor(s) from Bank 1 being missing at some point when it is not supposed to be. This is an electrical circuit fault, and it is intermittent in nature. It is not there all the time. Bank #1 is the bank of the engine that contains cylinder #1.

 

The PCM uses the Camshaft Position Sensor to tell it when the Crankshaft Sensor signal is correct, when a given Crankshaft Position Sensor signal is timed to Cylinder #1 for timing, and it is also used for fuel injector synchronization / start of injection.

Codes P0340 or P0341 may also be present at the same time as the P0344. The only difference between these 3 codes is how long the problem lasts and the type of electrical problem that the sensor/circuit/engine controller is having. Troubleshooting steps may vary depending upon manufacturer, type of camshaft position sensor and wire colors.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P0344 engine code may include:

Check Engine Light on Intermittent bucking or surging Intermittently Dies out, but will immediately restart

Potential Causes

Typically the causes for this code are:

Intermittent open in the power supply circuit to the camshaft position sensor Intermittent short to ground in the power supply circuit to the camshaft position sensor Intermittent open in the ground circuit to the camshaft position sensor Intermittent open in the signal circuit to the camshaft position sensor Intermittent short to 5 volts in the signal circuit to the camshaft position senso Intermittent short to ground in the signal circuit to the camshaft position sensor Camshaft Position Sensor tone ring damage Occasionally-Crankshaft Position Sensor producing intermittent signals

Diagnostic and Repair Procedures

A good starting point is always a technical service bulletin (TSB) search for your particular vehicle. The vehicle manufacturer may have a PCM flash/reprogram to cover this issue, and it pays to check on this before you find you’ve gone down a long/wrong path.

Next, locate both Camshaft and Crankshaft Position Sensors on your particular vehicle. Once located, visually inspect the connectors and wiring. Look for chafing, rubbing, bare wires, burn spots or melted plastic. Pull the connectors apart and carefully inspect the terminals (the metal parts) inside the connectors. See if they look corroded, burnt or possibly green in color versus the normal metal color you are probably used to seeing. You can get some Electrical Contact cleaner at any parts store if cleaning of the terminals is needed. If this is not possible, find some 91% rubbing alcohol and a light plastic bristle brush to clean them with. Afterwards let them air dry, get some dielectric silicone compound (same stuff they use for light bulb sockets and spark plug wires) and put some where the terminals come into contact.

If you have a scan tool, clear the diagnostic trouble codes from memory, and see if this code returns. If it does not, then the connections were most likely your problem.

If the code does return, we will need to test the sensor and its associated circuits. The next steps will be determined by which type of sensor you have: Hall Effect or Magnetic Pick up. You can typically tell

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