Chrysler Repair: Spuddering/No Power, side exhaust manifold, chrysler 300m special

Question
Roland-- I went and purchased the cam sensor and installed it like you said because of the p0340 code. After Installing it, I started it up and within 5 minutes the rpms went to about 400 and the car was vibrating like it had done before the new cam sensor. I went out and drove it and I got the lurching on and off and hesitation/no power on pedal response. I got home and did a key dance and I got the codes p0300 and p0133 now along with the p0340. I'm at a loss Roland. Its a 2003 Chrysler 300m Special
Roger

Answer
Hi Roger,
The 0133 points to the right side upstream oxygen sensor not responding as it should (too slowly). Other than the wiring of the sensor signal and ground wire to it, the sensor itself is likely the cause. It is mounted on the right side exhaust manifold and looks like a spark plug. If you are going to change it out, soak the threads/manifold interface overnight with penetrating oil and warm up the engine before try to remove it. Examine the wires now (caution fragile) and if they seem alright then it probably is the sensor and not the wiring between the sensor and the pcm that is at fault.
The 0300 says there are multiple cylinder misfires, without regard as to why. The list of possibilities number about 2 dozen! My thought would be that the oxygen sensor is involved. And possibly the upper manifold may not be air tight, which can cause missing, because you had to disturb it to put in the cam sensor. You could test for air leaks around the perifery of the upper manifold by using some starter fluid (very small bursts as it is highly flammable) while the engine is idling and apply a short squirt and listen for any change in the idle speed as a sigh of a leak at that point. Did you retorque the 7 bolts in the manner I described?
The 0340 is probably a stale code from before you replaced the sensor. It should go away after awhile on its own accord, otherwise a code reader (maybe one that is higher level than at Autozone) has to be used to erase it and then see if it returns.
If the oxygen sensor replacement and the search for a leak fail to bring resolution then you could imbark upon the search for the multicylinder misfire cause from the long list.
Roland