Van stalled today while driving and will not start but cranks fine. There is no spark at the distributer or voltage at the coil; I can't tell if the fuel pump is running. Has a code P0340. Is this a timing belt issue and if so, are the valves damaged?
vipergg
02-28-2007, 07:47 PM
P0340 is no cam signal at the pcm . Could be bad CAM sensor . Not seeing a camshaft signal during cranking .
dbalman
02-28-2007, 07:56 PM
Would this prevent voltage being sent to the coil?
donald7150
02-28-2007, 08:17 PM
definatly, without the cam sensor the PCM cannot tell when to fire the spark plugs and will not start
dbalman
02-28-2007, 08:37 PM
Thanks - Could a broken belt not turning the cam also post this code?
acton mike
02-28-2007, 10:26 PM
what size engine do you have - i am presuming a V6
the 3.0 litre engines use a cam drive belt
the 3.3/3.8 are pushrod
The 3.0 is a non interference head which means that if the cam belt breaks you will not bugger up the valves; the engine will simply stop running
on a 3.0 you can remove the upper front outer timing belt cover by loosening the three bolts and look at the timing belt
so - if a 3.0, check the timing belt
if a 4 cyl check the timing belt
on a 3.3 or bigger, check out the cam position sensor
if other than a 3.0
dbalman
03-01-2007, 10:40 AM
It's a 3.0L. Since the rotor on the distributer doesn't turn when the engine is cranked I am assuming that the timing belt is broken.
Thanks everyone for your assistance.
acton mike
03-02-2007, 10:30 PM
the distributor drive is off the camshaft and so you are on the right track
Putting on a new belt and timing up the engine is not too difficult a job
I would definitely recommend getting a factory service manual
I bought one for my beast and it is really a great source of information
mfahey
03-03-2007, 06:13 PM
Because 90% of the work in replacing the timing belt is the same as doing the water pump, I would recommend you replace the pump if it hasn't already been done.
Ask me how I know.
dbalman
03-04-2007, 08:01 PM
Thanks all for the good info. I ripped everything out today an it was indeed the belt. I got a water pump when I bought the belt and will replace that also. I did notice that there is a hugh amount of oil all around the camshaft. Is there a seal around it that goes? I couldn't keep the oil pan full in this thing for the past 6-9 months or so, but I assumed that it was the seal around the oil pan - now I'm not so sure.
Glenn_H
03-10-2007, 10:13 PM
Here is a link with some good comments regarding timing belt replacement, especially from the other links contained within. I'm gearing up to do mine, some day soon.
Excellent advice, already stated, is to replace the water pump, camshaft seals, and crankshaft seal. If the camshaft has a groove worn in it from the seal, you can install shaft savers, with the name Micro Sleeve--thin rings that are pressed over the shaft to simulate an ungrooved shaft.
http://www.microsleeve.com/
When I do mine, I'm going to put in one of the Gates #38342K serpentine belt kits, and the Gates TCK139 Timing Belt Kit (contains belt and tensioner). I'm looking at getting the parts from rockauto.com. My advice: use Permatex Ultra Copper RTV on the water pump gasket (NOT on any of the O-Rings) and thermostat gasket. It's oxygen sensor safe. Also, I plan to replace the radiator hoses, thermostat, and radiator cap at the same time. I expect to pay some $400 for all the parts, and do as complete a job as I can.
There are exploded views available from moparpart.com
http://www.moparpart.com/dps_index.html
Click on "OEM PARTS" and select the year, male, model, and family of parts (Pumps, Belts, etc).
Thank You and good luck. Please post how it all turned out.
