P0340 on Jeep: How to Diagnose & Fix
Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
4 Jeep models · 4 documented issues · 4 critical · $100-$2,500 repair
P0340 on Jeep by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The Commander can stall or lose engine power without warning at any speed. The problem is linked to multiple causes: faulty crankshaft position sensor, failing fuel pump, PCM software bugs, and throttle body issues. Over 173 engine complaints were filed for the 2006 model year. Some owners report engine compartment fires linked to electrical shorts in the PCM area.
Common Symptoms
- Engine stalls without warning
- Loss of power during acceleration
- No-start condition (cranks but no start)
- Check engine light with P0335/P0340 codes
- Intermittent rough idle
- Engine cuts out at highway speed
How to Fix
Replace the crankshaft position sensor (Mopar 56028373AB, $20-40 part, $100-200 labor) as the most common fix. Clean or replace the throttle body ($150-300). Check fuel pump pressure (should be 49-55 PSI). Update PCM software to the latest calibration at the dealer. For fire risk concerns, inspect wiring harness in the engine bay for chafing or heat damage.
Owner tips & cautions
- TipCarry a spare crankshaft position sensor in the glove box - they are known to fail without warning and the repair takes 15 minutes
- WarningStalling at highway speed is extremely dangerous - address this issue immediately
Sources for this issue (2)
Late-TJ 4.0L Wranglers are well known for Oil Pump Drive Assembly (OPDA) failures, often described by owners as the 'screaming monkey' chirp or squeal from the engine bay. The OPDA can bind or wear internally, which may damage the camshaft gear and affect oil pump drive timing. If ignored, the issue can escalate from noise and check-engine lights to expensive internal engine repair.
Common Symptoms
- Chirping or squealing from engine bay
- Check engine light
- Rough running
- Intermittent misfire-like behavior
- Metallic wear on OPDA gear
- Engine timing sync faults
How to Fix
Diagnosis involves listening for chirping near the OPDA, checking shaft play, inspecting the drive gear wear pattern, and verifying cam/crank sync if a fault code is present. The usual repair is replacing the OPDA with an updated unit and inspecting the cam gear for abnormal wear before reinstalling. Many owners also lubricate the replacement gear and monitor for recurring noise after installation.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Crown Automotive 53010624AC updated OPDA assemblyOEMCrown 53010624AC
Replace a confirmed noisy, binding or worn OPDA with the revised-lubrication assembly Fitment/availability: 2005-2006 Wrangler TJ/Unlimited 4.0L; inspect the mating cam gear and index the engine before removal.
- Crown Automotive 5149034AA camshaft-position sensorOEMCrown 5149034AA
Replace the OPDA-mounted sensor only when circuit and sensor testing confirms failure Fitment/availability: 2005-2006 Wrangler TJ/Unlimited 4.0L; conditional sensor path.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Owner tips & cautions
- TipDo not ignore a new chirp from the passenger side rear of the 4.0L; catching OPDA wear early can prevent camshaft gear damage.
- TipBefore installing a replacement OPDA, mark engine position carefully and verify synchronization afterward to avoid drivability issues.
Sources for this issue (2)
2016 Compass and Patriot built May 9 - July 15, 2016 with the 2.0L or 2.4L World Engine received crankshaft and camshaft position sensor connectors with improperly manufactured terminals. The intermittent connection drops the crank/cam signal and the engine stalls — often without a check-engine light or stored code, which owners on the Patriot forum describe as sudden power loss with the dash going dark then relighting. About 43,000 vehicles across Journey/Compass/Patriot were involved.
Common Symptoms
- Engine stalls while driving or at idle
- Loss of power with dash lights dropping out momentarily
- Extended crank or intermittent no-start
- Often no stored trouble code
How to Fix
Free recall (owner letters January 2017): dealers replace the crankshaft position sensor, intake and exhaust camshaft sensor wire-harness connectors. On a non-recall 2007-2017 World Engine with the same symptom, test the crank sensor circuit and connector; a sensor is $30-80 and a common failure item on this engine family.
Sources for this issue (4)
Libertys of both generations lose the crank reference signal to the PCM, setting P0320 and shutting the engine off without warning - owners describe the vehicle simply dying at speed, sometimes restarting immediately and sometimes not for hours, and often producing a limp-mode condition. The fault is heat-sensitive, so it typically appears after the engine is warmed and is hard to reproduce cold at a shop. The forum record contains a real diagnostic warning: on Chrysler powertrains, crank and cam sensor codes are misleading, and the failure is frequently in the connector or the harness (oil-contaminated pins, chafed wiring) or in the PCM rather than in the sensor itself - multiple owners report P0320 returning immediately after a new sensor. Stalling in traffic makes this a safety issue, not just a driveability complaint.
Common Symptoms
- Engine stalls without warning while driving
- Intermittent crank but no start, often when hot
- Rough idle and hesitation
- Check engine light for no crank reference signal
- Vehicle enters limp mode
- Restarts normally after cooling down
How to Fix
Scan and record all codes - P0320 arriving with P1391 or P0340 changes the diagnosis. Before replacing the sensor, inspect the crank sensor connector and pigtail for oil intrusion, spread or corroded terminals, and chafe where the harness passes near the bellhousing; clean and repair as needed. Then replace the crankshaft position sensor with a Mopar or equivalent-quality unit - cheap aftermarket crank sensors are a documented repeat-failure source on these vehicles. If the code returns with a known-good sensor and a sound harness, the PCM is the remaining suspect. No recall covers this.
Sources for this issue (3)
P0340 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0340 mean on a Jeep?
P0340 stands for "Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction." This code means the engine computer lost or received an erratic signal from the camshaft position sensor. That sensor tells the computer the exact position and speed of the camshaft, which it uses together with the crankshaft sensor to time fuel injection and spark precisely. When the camshaft signal is missing, intermittent, or out of range, the computer sets P0340. Symptoms often include hard starting, stalling, rough running, or a no-start because the engine can't time itself correctly. On Jeep it is documented across 4 models: Commander, Wrangler, Compass, Liberty.
What are the most common causes of P0340?
The most common causes of P0340 are: Failed camshaft position sensor, Corroded or loose sensor connector, Damaged or shorted sensor wiring, Bad reluctor/tone ring on the camshaft, Loose timing chain/belt or jumped timing, Metal debris or oil contamination on the sensor tip, Poor sensor power or ground supply, Faulty PCM/ECM (rare). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0340 on a Jeep?
Published repair estimates on Jeep range from $100 to $2,500 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
Looking for P0340 on a different make?
View P0340 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.