Chrysler Repair: TRANSMISSION SHIFT PROBLEMS:P0340, camshaft sensor, shift gears


Question
QUESTION: hi,
i have a  sebring that when im driving it starts to buck and wont shift gears but if i shift it manually like start in first gear and then go up to 2,3,4 i does not buck it goes good it only does it if i put the car in drive and go like that it has a automatic trany it is the v6 engine in it any help would be greatly helpful.

ANSWER: Hi Mark,
There is a single 16-pin plug under the dash near the steering column which accepts a code reader that can be used to see what fault codes the transmission computer might have recognized and stored in its memory. You can often get a free readout at an Autozone parts store or a lower cost readout at an independent garage ($40 or less).
Find out the fault code numbers, what they say they mean, how much to repair. Then let me know and we can compare that to the manual.
That is the most efficient way to see what is wrong and correct it at lowest cost.
Roland

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QUESTION: hi roland,
i got the code from the obd and it came out as po340 code can you tell me wht that can be thanxs.

ANSWER: Hi Mark,
That code has to do with a function of the engine, not the transmission. Perhaps the reader they used doesn't read transmission fault codes?
In any case the 0340 is about the signal from the camshaft sensor not being detected at the engine computer. That sensor, if you have the 2.5 V-6 engine, is located inside the distributor and so far I have only heard that you have to replace the entire distributor if the cam sensor fails. However, this could be a stale code if you have replaced the distributor already or?
I can't see how it would relate to your shifting issue. Another idea I had was to make sure that the fluid in the trans is at proper level as shown on its separate dipstick. If you find that it is low, after warming up the engine and checking the stick with the engine idling in neutral, then add only enough ATF +3 or ATF +4 fluid to get it to the full mark. Don't use Dexron fluid!
If that looks OK then consider another readout at a dealership to get a trans fault code.
Roland

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QUESTION: HI ROLAND,
I THINK IT MAY NOT BE TRANSMISON PROBLEM AS IT DOES NOT DO IT IF I DONT EXCELERATE FAST FROM TAKE OFF IF I DRIVE AWAY NORMALLY IT SHIFTS NO PROBLEM ONLY IF I LEAVE A STOP AT HARD EXCELERATION WILL IT DO IT ,ITS LIKE IT IS FLOODING OR COULD IT BE A SENSOR ON THRE MOTOR  THAT IS NOT RESPONDING ON HARD EXCELERATION AND LIKE I SAID THE CODE IT SHOWS ME IS PO340 WHICH HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. would this sensor make the car feel like it is flooding and cause it to jerk? ty mark

Answer
Hi Mark
The cam sensor is what pulses the fuel injectors in proper synchrony with the piston/valve train. So I would suspect that 'missing' combustion would be the result. There are several tests of the electrical wiring to the distributor, which is where that sensor is located, which can be done with a volt-ohm meter but the more likely cause is a failed sensor. Because of the cost of the replacement of the entire distributor I would recommend that you investigate whether the sensor/magnet/pulse ring can be purchased separately for individual replacement. I would be interested to know what you learn.
In the absence of any other codes I would believe that in all likelihood the problem is indeed the sensor rather than the transmission.
Roland