Code P0340 and car shuts off.
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Code P0340 and car shuts off.
A few days ago, we were driving in our 2004 Dodge Neon 2.0L 4cyl in stop and go traffic and smelled a burning smell coming through the vents. I immediately pulled over and checked the engine. Everything looked fine, no overheating, and oil was ok. I couldn't trace the smell, so I wrote it off and kept going, and the smell never came back.
About an hour later (and after a few stops), we were stopped at a stoplight and the car shut off completely. The red oil light came on, as well as the check engine light (I read the code, P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction). I checked the oil again and it was fine. We tried starting it. It cranked but wouldn't turn over, and the cranking sounded different (Not necessarily bad, but louder than normal, maybe more sluggish). We pushed it into a gas station and when I returned the next day, the battery was dead!
What do you think it could be?
About an hour later (and after a few stops), we were stopped at a stoplight and the car shut off completely. The red oil light came on, as well as the check engine light (I read the code, P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction). I checked the oil again and it was fine. We tried starting it. It cranked but wouldn't turn over, and the cranking sounded different (Not necessarily bad, but louder than normal, maybe more sluggish). We pushed it into a gas station and when I returned the next day, the battery was dead!
What do you think it could be?
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Northern California
The burning smell and oil pressure light could mean a bad/loose sensor. It could also mean that you have an oil leak elsewhere too (one that is probably getting on the exhaust since you are smelling the oil burn).
The most common fix for P0340 is a new sensor. Get one from Dodge.
The most common fix for P0340 is a new sensor. Get one from Dodge.
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Wanted to provide an update so others in the future can find a solution to this problem.
Took the engine apart this weekend. Timing belt was burned and shredded for about 6 inches. Missing all its teeth for that section. Guess thats where my burning smell came from. I have 120K miles on the car and this is probably the original belt. Guess I got what I deserved. Going to be taking the cylinder head off in the next couple of days to check my valves. Will replace gaskets while I have the engine apart I guess. I'm only glad I stayed away from the shop. I wouldn't have walked away without paying at least 1500. As it is, with new timing belt, tensioner, water pump, head and intake manifold gaskets, and new torque struts, I'm in it only 200 dollars so far. If I need a new cylinder head, I think I can get a used one for another 250-300.
Bottom line... REPLACE YOUR TIMING BELTS!!! Oh, and do your own mechanic work!
Took the engine apart this weekend. Timing belt was burned and shredded for about 6 inches. Missing all its teeth for that section. Guess thats where my burning smell came from. I have 120K miles on the car and this is probably the original belt. Guess I got what I deserved. Going to be taking the cylinder head off in the next couple of days to check my valves. Will replace gaskets while I have the engine apart I guess. I'm only glad I stayed away from the shop. I wouldn't have walked away without paying at least 1500. As it is, with new timing belt, tensioner, water pump, head and intake manifold gaskets, and new torque struts, I'm in it only 200 dollars so far. If I need a new cylinder head, I think I can get a used one for another 250-300.
Bottom line... REPLACE YOUR TIMING BELTS!!! Oh, and do your own mechanic work!