GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The DTC P0340 Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Circuit diagnostic monitors the output of the CMP sensor. The CMP sensor is located in the distributor and consists of a signal generator and a signal rotor. As the signal rotor turns, a magnetic flux from the magnet is applied to the hall element repeatedly. The hall element generates a voltage that is proportional to the magnetic flux. This voltage signal is wave-shaped and is modified into a digital pulse by the comparator and sent to the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM uses this pulse/revolution signal to determine the engine speed and the position of each cylinder. The PCM uses this signal to control the fuel injectors and the ignition timing.

Condition for Running the DTC

    • The engine is being cranked.
    • The engine is running.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

No signal from the CMP sensor for 3 seconds with the PCM receiving an engine start signal.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information is stored in the Freeze Frame buffer.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The MIL turns off after 3 consecutively passing trips without a fault present.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault.
    • Perform the scan tool clear DTC Information function in order to clear the DTC.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for any of the following conditions:

    • If DTC P1500 is set, diagnose P1500 first.
    • If no problem is found with the CMP sensor or the circuitry, check the CMP sensor signal rotor for proper alignment or damage.

If a DTC P0340 is intermittent, driving the vehicle under the following conditions can verify whether the fault is present. Perform the scan tool Clear DTC Information function. Road test the vehicle while monitoring the DTC P0340 diagnostic on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P0340 appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the P0340 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0340 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the P0340 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT illuminated, and there is no Pending DTC Status in DTC Information, the P0340 diagnostic has passed. The DTCs MUST be cleared in order to view the Current Status of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT forget that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for Current or Pending status in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.

An intermittent malfunction may be caused by a fault in the CMP sensor circuit. Inspect the wiring harness and components for an intermittent condition. Refer to Intermittent Conditions .

If the DTC P0340 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Freeze Frame data can be useful in determining the vehicle operating conditions since the DTC was first set.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers in the diagnostic table.

  1. The Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and to store the Freeze Frame data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.

  2. This step determines if a fault is present. Review the Freeze Frame data to determine when the DTC set. Always record this information.

  3. A malfunctioning starter signal circuit can cause a false DTC P0340 to set.

  4. This step checks for a mechanical malfunction. Inspect for a broken timing belt if the signal rotor does not turn.

  5. Clearing the DTCs by removing the DOME fuse also clears the PCM long term memory. Using the scan tool to clear DTCs leaves the long term memory active. DTC emitting diagnostics may not run to completion as expected unless the long term memory is cleared. Removal of the DOME fuse also clears the time display of the radio. The DTC P0340 diagnostic can be monitored on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P0340 appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0340 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0340 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0340 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT illuminated, and there is no Pending DTC Status in DTC Information, the DTC P0340 diagnostic has passed. The DTCs MUST be cleared in order to view the Current Status of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT forget that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for Current or Pending status, in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Perform the scan tool Clear DTC Information function.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the Freeze Frame conditions as observed. Crank the engine if the vehicle will not start.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0340?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Diagnostic Aids

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the sensor electrical connector.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
  4. Measure the voltage from the harness side of terminal 1 to ground using a digital multimeter (DMM).

Does the voltage equal the specified value?

B+

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 7

4

Probe the harness side of the sensor connector terminal 3 with a test lamp connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 8

5

Measure the voltage at terminal 2 on the harness side of the CMP sensor electric connector with a DMM.

Is the voltage within the specified range?

5 V

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 9

6

  1. Test for any of the following conditions:
  2. • A faulty electrical connection at the PCM
    • A faulty electrical connection at the camshaft position (CMP) sensor
    • A DTC P1500
  3. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

7

Repair the open in the ignition feed circuit of the CMP sensor between the sensor and the main relay. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 13

--

8

  1. Inspect for an open in the CMP sensor ground circuit or a faulty ground connection.
  2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

9

  1. Check for an open in the CMP sensor signal circuit between the PCM and the CMP sensor.
  2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

10

  1. Remove the CMP sensor and housing. Refer to Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement .
  2. Check for any of the following conditions:
  3. • The CMP sensor signal rotor is not rotating
    • The CMP sensor signal rotor has missing or damaged teeth
    • Any foreign material on the CMP sensor
  4. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

11

Replace the CMP sensor. Refer to Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the DOME fuse for 30 seconds.
  3. Install the DOME fuse.
  4. Reset the radio clock time. Refer to Radio/Audio System Description and Operation in Entertainment.
  5. Start the engine.
  6. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text or until the DTC P0340 diagnostic test has run.

Does the DTC run and pass?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 2

14

With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK