P0344: Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent Bank 1 or Single Sensor

P0344 means the signal of the intake camshaft sensor of bank 1 (or the only cam sensor) is disturbed for moments: edges are missing or appear at an unexpected angle. Ford checks this on the five-tooth wheel used with variable cam timing; if edges appear where none are expected, Ford sets P0344 and switches cam timing off (loss of power and torque), from 200 rpm, detected within 5 s. In Ford hybrids (C-Max, Fusion, MKZ 2013–2020) moisture in the engine oil from short trips caused P0340 and P0344 – remedy: new sensor and oil change (SSM 48598). FCA asks for the cam/crank synchronisation event data to be saved before replacing a cam sensor. The 2010 Saab 9-5 2.0 diesel uses P0344 differently for too few cam pulses.

Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1. Inline engines only have this bank.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Sporadic loss of power (cam timing off)
• Jerking, rough idle
• Occasionally longer cranking

Most likely causes

• Moisture or oil inside the sensor, dropping out when hot
• Loose contact or corrosion at the connector
• Tone wheel on the phaser damaged or loose
• Interference or chafed wiring
• Crankshaft signal disturbed (wrong reference)

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Check the connector and look for metal filings on the sensor
2. Gently move the wiring with the engine running and watch whether the reading changes.
3. See whether there is an RPM signal while cranking
4. Measure the signal with an oscilloscope if you can
5. Check the engine timing before replacing expensive parts

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: easy
• It can trigger limp mode.
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P0344 means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• 3: Ignition and misfires
• 44: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0344?

Avoid driving: the engine can stall while moving. If the timing is off, continuing can cause serious damage.

What causes code P0344?

The most common causes are: moisture or oil inside the sensor, dropping out when hot; loose contact or corrosion at the connector; tone wheel on the phaser damaged or loose.

Related codes

• P0340Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor
• P0341Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1 or Single Sensor
• P0349Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent Bank 2
• P0369Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent Bank 1
• P0016Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)

Sources

• newtonnet.co.uk: fordobd2012
• fordservicecontent.com: OBD Operations Summary Gasoline 2020 2023
• static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10171962 0001
• static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10149004 9999

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.