QuestionQUESTION: I recently replaced the cylinder head and when I started the car it would stall out. I got a P0340 code and replaced the camshaft position sensor and car would not start. When I unplug the sensor the car will start, but I do not want to cause any engine damage. How do I go about trouble shooting/correcting this problem.
ANSWER: Hi Bruce,
That is an interesting situation. If the engine seems to have a steady spark without the cam sensor, then one of the fault possibilities, an intermittent CRANK sensor, would not appear to be applicable. It could be related to an intermittent or a short at the plug/wire connection area of the cam sensor. So check whether that is the case by testing each of the three pins to see if they are continuous to the pcm pin for that wire, using an ohmmeter, while you flex the plug/wire. Also test to be sure that none are intermittently grounded in a similar manner. If you have the 2-plug setup at the pcm (which is probably the case, with 1-40 and 41-80) the orange/white wire (pin 1) is connected to pin 44, the tan/yellow(pin3) to pin to pin 33, and the black/light blue (center pin 2 of plug) to to pin 43 at the pcm. These are for the 2.4L engine, if that is what you have. That is my best suggestion for this somewhat anomalous situation.
Roland
PPS The voting for 'expert of the month' ends Sunday afternoon. If you would be so kind as to find the "nomination?" area of the 'thank/rate' tab and change the 'no' to a 'yes' that would give a vote. Thanks
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QUESTION: Roland,
I thought I had a short but it was my probe, I replaced the plug and had the same problem. I checked and got the correct voltages to the connector. I plugged the connector into a spare camshaft sensor and used a magnet and was able to duplicate the car shutting down. I am surmising the either my timing has jumped or I have incorrect camshafts for the block. I do not know where the lobe positions should be to match the block or what numbers I need to get help figuring this out.
AnswerHi Bruce,
I am unclear of the history of this engine. I assume it is a
2.4L DOHC. Did you buy a rebuilt head that included the camshafts, or use your old camshafts or?
The cam shafts are not interchangeable. The intake cam's number 6 thrust bearing face spacing is wider. Could they be reversed?
Did you have a good manual to do the timing belt installation? I have an '03 Chrysler Sebring shop manual that covers the 2.4L DOHC engine and can xerox those timing belt installation pages for you. As for part numbers I think that would have to be gotten at a Chrysler dealer parts counter. The cam sensor is mainly needed for locating the 'gross' rotational position of the engine for proper timing of which cylinder injectors and sparks to fire, but the actual timing of any given spark/injection is based on the crank sensor. So I can imagine the engine will run without the cam sensor because of double sparking of a pair of cylinders when one is at TDC intake and the other TDC exhaust stroke, but not optimally. It gives the impression, the fact that it will run without the cam sensor, but not with it, that the sensor magnet is on backwards.
Let me know what I can help you with from the shop manual.
Roland
PS Use the 'thank/rate' tab to get back with any comments, to which I will respond. And please consider giving me a 'nomination' in that same tab area. Just change the 'no' to a 'yes'. The competition for expert of the month ends this afternoon!
