Hi everyone. My wife has a 2003 Stratus 2.4 DOHC Sedan. It runs and drives nicely. We've been happy with the car. The 2 issues we're having may or may not be related.

ISSUE 1:
We've had a code 0344 (Camshaft Position Sensor circuit) for some months now. A google search reveals that it could be

• An open or shorted camshaft position sensor
• A faulty camshaft position sensor
• Poor electrical connection to the camshaft position sensor
• A faulty starter motor
• A weak or dead battery
• A short in the starting system circuit

among other possibilities.

It says to

• Replacing a weak or dead battery
• Replacing chafed, melted, or otherwise damaged wiring
• Cleaning electrical connections to the camshaft position sensor
• Replacing the camshaft position sensor
• Replacing the crankshaft position sensor

ISSUE 2 (Possibly related, and possibly not)::

20 AMP Fuse #8 (fuel/start) in the under hood power box blew when attempting start up last week. It continued to blow 20 AMP fuses, but it holds at 25 AMPs. So the car starts and drives fine with the 25 AMP fuse. I don't know why it holds at 25 AMPs, and I suspect that it is not safe to ignore it.

Can someone explain why it doesn't blow a 25 AMP fuse? Also, is this a common issue on the Stratus? And finally, can the 2 issues be related? A "short in the starting system circuit" is a possible cause of code 0344, although the fuse just blew now, and the code has been present periodically for months,

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Update: Replacing the cam sensor resolved the trouble code.

I am now dealing only with a short on the FUSE 8 circuit (START/IGNITION/FUEL). Fuse 8 pops when the key is turned to the crank position. It does not ever pop in RUN.

I've narrowed this down quite a bit. The fuse only blows with the starter relay in. That means that the issue is in the starting system circuit. 90% of the time, the starter is faulty, and replacing it resolves the issue. As luck would have it, I'm in the 10%. Changed the starter, but the starter is fine and tests fine.
From what I can see through the Fuse 8 wiring diagram, there is not much left. Basically the brown tire that connects to the starter.

My mechanic had the car for a day, did some testing, and changed the oxygen sensor (seemed OK to do, some have reported that to be the cause) and the ignition switch (seemed pointless to me based on the circuitry).

He tells me from here he would like to replace the whole Engine Wiring Harness, as it's easier than taking the time to track the brown wire. He says the brown wire goes from the starter to the ignition switch and then to the Power Distribution Center.

Do you guys agree with him? Just change the whole harness rather than follow and inspect the brown wire? And is there something else to definitely consider that I'm overlooking?

jkeaton? smokesXT?

Thanks in advance for your help!