HIGH System: Sensors & Electrical SAE J2012 Standard

P0340: Camshaft Position Sensor 'A' Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1)

The ECM uses the Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) to determine which cylinder is on its compression stroke for sequential fuel injection and ignition timing. P0340 indicates no pulse signal is received from the sensor during cranking.

Driveability & Safety Advisory

Vehicle may experience long crank, hard start, or intermittent stalling. Drive directly to repair.

Official Manufacturer TSB Advisories

Nissan NTB01-076 Target: 2002–2006 Nissan Altima / Sentra (2.5L QR25DE)

Factory Condition: Official factory recall: Camshaft and crankshaft position sensors fail thermally when engine gets hot.

OEM Service Remedy: Replace both camshaft and crankshaft position sensors with updated metal-bodied sensors.

Physical Component Location & Service Access

Mounted in the cylinder head near the end of the intake camshaft.

Electrical Specifications & Live PID Benchmarks

Scan Tool Live Data Targets

Camshaft RPM Signal: Should match 1/2 engine crankshaft RPM

Digital Multimeter (DMM) Specs

Sensor 12V / 5V Supply: Valid reference voltage
Ground Wire Resistance: < 0.2 Ohms
Sensor Output: 0V to 5V pulsing square wave when engine is cranked

Documented Model-Specific Case Studies

2003–2008 Nissan 350Z / G35 (3.5L)

Root Cause: Thermal breakdown of CMP sensor.

Verified Fix: Replace sensor with OEM Hitachi.

Technician Inspection & Testing Workflow

1

Check sensor connector for engine oil intrusion.

2

Verify 12V and ground with DMM.

3

Replace sensor with OEM component.

Cost Breakdown

DIY Replacement Parts: $25 – $75
Independent Repair Shop (Parts + Labor): $140 – $280
Standard Diagnostic Time: 1.0 – 2.0 Flat-Rate Hours

Tools & Parts Matrix

Recommended Parts: OEM Camshaft Position Sensor
Required Test Tools: 10mm socket, Multimeter

Diagnostic Questions & Answers

Why does my car take so long to start when P0340 is active?

Without a camshaft signal, the ECM does not know which cylinder is firing. It has to crank repeatedly and guess timing based on crankshaft acceleration.