OPDA Troubleshooting

[T-BONE_711]

I have replaced the camshaft, timing gears and chain, and the OPDA in my 2005 TJ at 93000mi, currently have about 114,000mi. Using new Mopar camshaft and crankshaft sensors. I am currently visiting family in upstate NY and get the P0340/P0344 codes in the cold. It takes a while to start the Jeep(5-7 secs) but it turns over just fine. I have checked the OPDA and camshaft gears and they have normal wear. Also checked for any lateral play in the OPDA, got nothing, only moves up and down slightly. I've handled at least three OPDAs and they all seem to move up and down a bit out of the box. Started the Jeep in the heated garage and it only takes about 1-2 seconds to start.

Has anybody heard of a fix for this OPDA issue besides a modification or a wire ring to make the gap larger between the tone wheel and sensor at this point. I'm thinking a computer software update or possibly swapping out the 2005 OPDA for a 2004 OPDA and splicing in the proper connector. I know that last idea is kinda out there and I know the computers are different between 2004 and 2005, but has anybody even tried that(the engines are the same cast numbers)? Has anybody tried using a tuner to modify the timing? Does anybody know of any Jeep stealership mechanics that have come across a fix for this issue and mentioned it to them? There has got to be a fix for this issue, getting frustrated having to reset the computer after it warms up so I can rev above 2300rpm to shift properly.

 

[Bigfoot-NM]

What brand cam position sensor did you use? I just went through this recently. Replaced my cam position sensor with one from NAPA and it fixed the issue.

You can read the thread here:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/p0340-solved.42585/

 

[AjRagno]

The OE camshaft position sensor has not been available for some time. If you have a new Mopar sensor, or one bought within the past few years, it's not the same at the one installed at the factory. Try another sensor brand and always carry a spare.

As @ABQWrangler suggested, Napa may work out better than others. I believe NOE 90090111 is actually the Dorman sensor. NOE means Napa Original Equipment so the Mopar sensor is probably now supplied by Dorman. I would go with Echlin ECH CSS1159. You may also want to see if you can find an OE sensor at a junk yard.

 

[T-BONE_711]

What brand cam position sensor did you use? I just went through this recently. Replaced my cam position sensor with one from NAPA and it fixed the issue.

You can read the thread here:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/p0340-solved.42585/

Thanks fo the info on the NAPA brand sensor, just ordered it online and should be here tomorrow. Turns out that when I clicked the Amazon link it says in my account that I had purchased the “Genuine Chrysler” one. Temps should be pretty cold next week. I’ll install it and post an update.

 

[kanur]

I chasing my tail with this too. My local dealer used their parts locator to find a dealer that still had a sensor on the shelf and had it shipped in but I'm still getting codes. I seems like I read somewhere, here maybe that the cam sensor and crank sensor have to learn each other. How is this done?

I have a rust free, good condition 05 Auto that I am happy to give it what it needs but it would be very frustrating to put a new cam and timing gears in and still not be right because of sensors that don't get along.

 

[AjRagno]

I chasing my tail with this too. My local dealer used their parts locator to find a dealer that still had a sensor on the shelf and had it shipped in but I'm still getting codes. I seems like I read somewhere, here maybe that the cam sensor and crank sensor have to learn each other. How is this done?

I have a rust free, good condition 05 Auto that I am happy to give it what it needs but it would be very frustrating to put a new cam and timing gears in and still not be right because of sensors that don't get along.

The camshaft and crankshaft sensors need to be in synch with each other. The PCM can adjust if they are off by a few degrees but beyond that you'll get a code. My expectation would be P0016 but apparently you can also get P0340, maybe P0344.

I've replaced my OPDA twice (Dorman then Crown) and also had it out for inspection a few times. I followed the instructions in the manual to set the engine to DTC and then installed the OPDA but others have reported that they needed a scan tool to synch the sensors. A DRBIII is the dealer tool but there may be others that can also perform the task.

 

[T-BONE_711]

Installed the new NAPA Echlin cam sensor and a new NAPA Echlin crank sensor. Figured it would be best to install the sensors as a pair of the same brand. I turned the key and it started up like it was a warm summer day. No lag, 1-2 second instant ignition even sub freezing temps.

 

[cpwolf]

That’s great news. Hopefully it sticks that way and no codes?

 

[T-BONE_711]

No codes...so far.

 

[kanur]

Less than nine months ago I put a new MOPAR CPS on my crown OPDA and all was fine till recently. My TJ is kept in my shop and it is never below 45 degrees. After driving it on a cold rainy day I left it sit out instead of pulling it in all wet. The next morning it cranked a long time before starting and popped the P0344 code. I thought maybe something was damp.

I cleared the code by unhooking the battery but it would come right back as soon as the key was turned. I had an appointment to get my front drive shaft rebuilt so my mechanic cleared it with his scanner and that was good for a couple days. It was then I started reading posts about cold weather affecting the CPS.

Well.... New Years Eve we drove it down the lane to our neighbors and when leaving after midnight it was below freezing and it cranked a long time to start and had the P0344. In my shop I disconnected the battery for over two hours and as soon as I turned the key had the code again and in limp mode.

I drove it around till it was at operating temps pulled it in the shop and pulled the battery cable put it right back on and the code was gone. OK maybe there is something to this cold stuff. I made the fifty mile round trip to NAPA and got the Echlin sensor, put it in, fired right up no code.

I took a nice long gravel road cruise and left it out overnight for a test. This morning it was right at freezing with a fair amount of ice on the TJ. With great anxiety I turned the key and it fired right up, no codes. Can it really be this easy?

 

[Wyatt Morris]

Less than nine months ago I put a new MOPAR CPS on my crown OPDA and all was fine till recently. My TJ is kept in my shop and it is never below 45 degrees. After driving it on a cold rainy day I left it sit out instead of pulling it in all wet. The next morning it cranked a long time before starting and popped the P0344 code. I thought maybe something was damp.

I cleared the code by unhooking the battery but it would come right back as soon as the key was turned. I had an appointment to get my front drive shaft rebuilt so my mechanic cleared it with his scanner and that was good for a couple days. It was then I started reading posts about cold weather affecting the CPS.

Well.... New Years Eve we drove it down the lane to our neighbors and when leaving after midnight it was below freezing and it cranked a long time to start and had the P0344. In my shop I disconnected the battery for over two hours and as soon as I turned the key had the code again and in limp mode.

I drove it around till it was at operating temps pulled it in the shop and pulled the battery cable put it right back on and the code was gone. OK maybe there is something to this cold stuff. I made the fifty mile round trip to NAPA and got the Echlin sensor, put it in, fired right up no code.

I took a nice long gravel road cruise and left it out overnight for a test. This morning it was right at freezing with a fair amount of ice on the TJ. With great anxiety I turned the key and it fired right up, no codes. Can it really be this easy?

How is the Jeep holding up? Any more reoccurrence of the code? Thanks.

 

[kanur]

No problems yet.

 

[RoscoeJack]

Installed the new NAPA Echlin cam sensor and a new NAPA Echlin crank sensor. Figured it would be best to install the sensors as a pair of the same brand. I turned the key and it started up like it was a warm summer day. No lag, 1-2 second instant ignition even sub freezing temps.

Did this hold up? I just started having this problem. Went out on a 28* morning and it sounded like a cat fight under the hood for about 2 seconds. After that, it would not run over 2200 RPM without surging. Cut it off once it warmed up and restarted it... no problems. The code is for the camshaft sensor. I thought I would buy the NAPA camshaft and crankshaft just as you did if it's holding.

 

[T-BONE_711]

Did this hold up? I just started having this problem. Went out on a 28* morning and it sounded like a cat fight under the hood for about 2 seconds. After that, it would not run over 2200 RPM without surging. Cut it off once it warmed up and restarted it... no problems. The code is for the camshaft sensor. I thought I would buy the NAPA camshaft and crankshaft just as you did if it's holding.

Jeep is holding up and working great. I haven’t had the code pop up at all.