P0344 Camshaft position sensor A circuit intermittent, bank 1 or single sensor: the cam sensor signal drops out or comes and goes

Camshaft position sensor intermittent (bank 1)

P0344 in short

P0344 means the engine computer sees the camshaft position sensor signal dropping out intermittently. Harness chafing, a failing sensor and, on some engines, cam end play or moisture in the oil are documented causes. Inspect the wiring and connector first. Get it checked soon; stop driving if it stalls.

The camshaft sensor tells the computer which stroke each cylinder is on. P0344 is the intermittent version of the cam sensor A circuit fault: the signal is there most of the time but drops out or glitches.

Intermittent faults are often wiring. Jeep repairs a harness and its retainer clip on 2012-2015 Wranglers, and Ford found a harness rubbing on the steering shaft in 2020-2021 Escapes.

Some cases are mechanical or environmental: Honda found excessive camshaft end play damaging the sensor on Odysseys, and Ford hybrids that only make short trips build moisture in the oil that affects the sensor.

Most likely causes

  1. Chafed harness or broken retainer clip

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Jeep's bulletin for 2012-2015 Wrangler P0344 repairs the engine harness and replaces its retainer clip; Ford repairs a harness shorting on the steering shaft in 2020-2021 Escapes.
    What would change this
    Rises if the code comes with bumps or steering movement, or the harness shows rub marks.

  2. Failing camshaft position sensor

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Chrysler replaced cam sensors for P0344 with long cranking on 2008 Wranglers and SRT8 models, and Ford found incorrect cam sensor readings on 2009 Fusion and Milan.
    What would change this
    Rises if the signal glitches on a scope with good wiring.
    How to test the camshaft position sensor

  3. Moisture in the engine oil from short trips (Ford hybrids)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford says short trips and low mileage on 2013-2020 C-Max, Fusion Hybrid and MKZ Hybrid build moisture in the oil that sets P0340/P0344; it replaces the sensor and changes the oil.
    What would change this
    Rises on a hybrid used mostly for short trips with milky oil on the cap.
    How to test the camshaft position sensor

  4. Excessive camshaft end play damaging the sensor (Honda Odyssey)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Honda replaces the front camshaft, thrust cover, cam gear and sensor on 2005-2009 Odysseys where cam end play let the gear damage the sensor.
    What would change this
    Rises on a 2005-2009 Odyssey whose removed sensor shows rub marks.

  5. Damaged tone ring or engine computer software

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Listed as less common causes once wiring and sensor test good.
    What would change this
    Rises only after wiring and sensor pass.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all codes and freeze frame and ask a dealer to check the VIN for bulletins.

    Low riskTool: scan tool

  2. With the engine off, inspect the cam sensor connector and harness for rubbing, broken clips or oil, and check the oil cap for milky residue.

    Low riskTool: flashlight

  3. Have a shop watch the cam sensor signal on a scope while wiggling the harness, and check sensor power and ground.

    Best left to a shopTool: oscilloscope

    Warning:Shorting a sensor reference wire can stall the engine or damage the computer.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Long cranking or hard starting
  • Hesitation or occasional misfire
  • Stalling and failure to restart Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power, Rough idle with the check engine light on

How to fix

  1. Check that the camshaft sensor connector is fully latched and the harness is clipped away from moving or hot parts, then clear the code and see whether it returns.

    Warning:Engine off and cool.

  2. On a Ford hybrid used mainly for short trips, change the oil and take longer drives so the engine fully warms up, as Ford advises.

    Warning:Let the engine cool before draining; hot oil burns.

Parts and cost context

  • Camshaft position sensor:Check the harness first; Jeep's and Ford's fixes for P0344 are wiring repairs. If a new sensor is damaged quickly, look for a mechanical cause.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Jeep

  • 2008–2015 · Wrangler

    Supported by vehicle data

    Jeep has bulletins for P0344: a cam sensor replacement for 2008 long-crank complaints and a harness repair with a new retainer clip for 2012-2015.

  • 18-053-15 REV AStatus unverified

    P0344 cam sensor intermittent: repair harness, replace retainer clip

    2012–2015wrangler · NHTSA 10159958

    Inspect and repair the engine wire harness and replace the harness retainer tower clip.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 08-001-08Status unverified

    Long crank and/or MIL with P0340/P0344: replace the cam sensor

    2008wrangler · NHTSA 10024059

    Replace the camshaft sensor.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Honda

  • 2005–2009 · Odyssey

    Supported by vehicle data

    Excessive camshaft end play can let the cam gear damage the sensor; Honda replaces the camshaft parts and sensor.

  • SB-09-042Status unverified

    P0344 from cam end play damaging the sensor

    2005–2009odyssey · NHTSA 10035005

    Replace the front camshaft, thrust cover, cam gear and sensor.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

  • SSM 48598Status unverified

    P0340/P0344 from moisture in the engine oil (hybrids)

    2013–2020c-max, fusion · NHTSA 10171962

    Replace the cam sensor and change the oil; advise more frequent oil changes and full warm-ups.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • SSM 50116Status unverified

    Loss of sensor reference voltage, fuse 44 open, codes including P0344

    2020–2021escape · NHTSA 10201593

    Harness above the steering shaft U-joint can short against the shaft.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 05-23-17Status unverified

    P0340/P0344/P0345/P0349 on 4.6L and 5.4L 3V

    2004–2006f-150, expedition, mustang · 4.6L 3V, 5.4L 3V · NHTSA 10019378

    Cam sensor circuit codes on 3-valve V8s.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chrysler

  • 08-030Status unverified

    SRT8 suspect cam sensor setting P0340/P0344

    2008300 · NHTSA 10024874

    NHTSA also lists the Dodge Charger and Magnum.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0340Camshaft position sensor circuit fault (bank 1 or single sensor)

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0340 is the solid (non-intermittent) version of the same cam sensor A circuit fault; many bulletins list both.

  • P0345Camshaft position sensor A circuit fault (bank 2)

    Other bank Supported by vehicle data

    P0345 is the cam sensor A circuit on bank 2; Ford lists both on 4.6L and 5.4L 3V engines.

  • P0365Camshaft position sensor B circuit, bank 1: the engine computer sees a missing or faulty signal from the bank 1 exhaust camshaft sensor

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford lists P0344 and P0365 for a harness short on 2020-2021 Escapes.

All Ignition and engine position sensors codes

P0344 questions

Why does P0344 keep coming back after a new sensor?

Intermittent codes are often wiring. Jeep and Ford fixes for P0344 are harness repairs. If a new sensor is damaged again, as on some Honda Odysseys, have the camshaft end play checked.

Sources and review

  1. P0344 Code: Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) — CarParts.com ,
  2. FCA 18-053-15 REV A: P0344 Camshaft Position Sensor Intermittent, harness repair and retainer clip, 2012-2015 Wrangler — FCA US LLC
  3. Cal. Code Regs. tit. 13, § 1968.2 - Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
  4. 2001 Lincoln Continental Owner's Guide - Warning lights (Check engine) — Ford Motor Company
  5. 2023 Integra Owner's Manual: Indicator, Coming On/Blinking — American Honda Motor Co.
  6. Jeep 08-001-08: long crank and/or MIL with P0340/P0344, replace the camshaft sensor, 2008 Wrangler — Chrysler LLC
  7. Ford SSM 50116: loss of VREF, rough running, fuse 44 open, many codes including P0340/P0344/P0365, 2020-2021 Escape — Ford Motor Company
  8. Chrysler 08-030: suspect cam sensor setting P0340/P0344, 2008 SRT8 300/Charger/Magnum — Chrysler LLC
  9. Ford TSB 08-26-14: P0340/P0344 from an incorrect cam sensor reading, 2009 Fusion/Milan — Ford Motor Company
  10. Ford SSM 48598: P0340/P0344 from moisture build-up in engine oil, 2013-2020 C-Max/Fusion Hybrid/MKZ Hybrid — Ford Motor Company
  11. Honda SB 09-042: P0344 from a camshaft position sensor damaged by excessive camshaft end play, 2005-2009 Odyssey — American Honda Motor Co.
  12. ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Test: Composite Vehicle Type 4 Reference Booklet — ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)
  13. Ford 05-23-17: P0340/P0344/P0345/P0349 on 4.6L and 5.4L 3V, 2004-2006 — Ford Motor Company
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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