P0344 - CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT INTERMITTENT

The diagnostic code P0344 OBD2 basically means that the signal coming from the CMP sensor (Camshaft Position Sensor) is presenting faults or it may not be present. This fault is originated in the electrical circuit, and is intermittent. In other words, this failure is not constant. The CMP sensor (Camshaft Position Sensor) is located in bank number 1; bank number 1 is the side of the engine where cylinder number 1 is.

The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) is used by the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) to indicate when the signal from the CKP sensor (Crankshaft Position Sensor) is correct and when the signal sent by the CKP sensor (Crankshaft Position Sensor) is synchronized with the cylinder number 1, which is used for the timing and, similarly, is used for synchronization of the fuel injector.

DTC Codes such as P0340 and P0341 may be present along with this DTC code. But you have to take into account that these codes differ so much in the time that the problem lasts, as well as the electrical failure that the sensor, circuit or even the motor can have.

• Check Engine light turns on.
• When starting the engine, it presents difficulty.
• You can hear metallic noises coming from the engine.
• The engine has a loss of power.

If the code P0344 OBD II has been set means that one or more of the following faults has occurred:

• The battery is perhaps too weak.
• The starter motor may be defective.
• There may be a short circuit in the starting system.
• The CMP sensor (Camshaft Position Sensor) may be short-circuited.
• There is a bad electrical connection to the CMP sensor (Camshaft Position Sensor).
• The CMP sensor may be defective.

To solve the fault code P0344, you could do the following:

• Locate the Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) and Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) and inspect both the cables and their respective connectors. Look for cables that have rubbing or burns. Also, the terminals of the connectors can check them, since they can have corrosion. If you find inconsistency in any of the aforementioned components you can make the necessary repairs or change them. Delete the code and see if it appears again.
• If the code reappears, you can test the sensor as well as its associated circuits. Keep in mind that repairs to this sensor vary according to the type of sensor your vehicle has. The sensor can be of the Hall Effect or Magnetic Pick type. To identify what type of sensor your vehicle has, it is simple, Hall Effect sensors have 3 wires and Magnetic Pickups have 2.
• If it is Hall Effect, you must disconnect the cables that go to the camshaft and the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP), then using a digital meter in ohms, check that the power circuit is being turned on. For this, the red wire of the circuit must have 5 volts. In the same way, there must be a good land. If there are no 5 volts references, you can repair the cable that goes from the PCM to the sensor. If the data is correct, check that there are 5 volts in each of the signal circuits. If there are no 5 volts, repair the cables that go from the PCM to the sensor.
• If you have a Magnetic Pickup type sensor, disconnect the sensor, and connect the two wires of your digital meter to the two sensor terminals. Then read the resistance in ohms and compare it with the specifications. In general, it is normal to be between 750 to 2000 ohms.
• Even when you are taking the sensor reading, disconnect a cable from your ohmmeter that is connected to the sensor, and connect it to a good ground, if the result is that you get an ohm reading that is not infinite it is indicative that the sensor is short internally. You can replace the sensor. You can take into account that at the time of reading do not touch the metal part with your fingers, as this affects the readings.
• Reconnect the two wires of your digital meter to the two terminals of the sensor. Then, adjust the meter to read the A / C voltage, proceed to start the motor and read the output of the AC voltage on your meter. You check them with the factory specifications. Normally you can have 5V AC.