2004 PT GT Stalls with P0340 code

[ron2004gt]

Our 2004 HO PT GT with 5spd stalled today with it's first check engine code
of 0340 indicating a crankshaft position sensor issue.

I read and cleared the 0340 code and drove it about 10 miles and haven't yet seen the code again. A few days ago I was driving the PT and it stalled for no reason too.

The car has 35,000 miles on it and I did the 30,000 mile service about 5,000 miles and 6 months ago. At that time I noted the battery cable was corroded so I cleaned it and put anti-corrosion spacers on the terminals. Now on popping the hood I notice the cable closest to the car body (neg-?) has significant white corrosion again. I believe this is some weakness of the PT cruisers, correct? Any advice on the corrosion issue?

Is the crank position sensor covered by the chrysler 7 year warranty on the power train or emissions? My wife (it's her car) called the dealership and they said they needed the VIN to know if it was covered and apparently she didn't give it to them. My $impression$ on my local dealership is they will extract money and perhaps mess up the car at the same time so I am posting here for any wisdom to be had.

Thanks in advance --- Ron

[CREWZIN]

Welcome to the forum.

First off, there's no weakness of the PT Cruiser on battery corrosion. Just drop by any auto store and pick up the green and red felt disks that you put on the terminals under the cables, or if you don't want to put out any money, take Vasoline or some bearing grease and put a light coating all over the cable ends.

I believe the Cam Shaft sensor should be covered under the power train warranty, but you'd have to pay the $100 deductible on the warranty unless your one of the fortunate ones that got the zero ($0) deductible policy.

The sensor itself can be picked up for about $50 but if your not into mechanics your better off letting the dealer do it.

"will extract money and perhaps mess up the car at the same time", maybe. Some dealers have been known to do that but changing the sensor is pretty straight forward so they shouldn't mess that up.

[ron2004gt]

About 6 months and 6,000 miles ago I cleaned and put the felts on the battery terminals when I did the 30,000 service on the car. Now the positive post is still clean but the negative post is seriously covered in white corrosion. I saw a picture of battery corrosion at the chrysler dealer posted as a curiosity by the service dept for the customers like me to see about 2 years ago, this was also from a PT cruiser so this makes me think there is some tendency for corrosion on the battery terminal. So I tried the felts and have one still very BAD terminal so what now and why I wonder?

My wife got the 0340 (camshaft code) again last night so it appears to be a steady event which needs fixing. I am looking for my chilton's manual but haven't found it yet. What is the procedure to replace the camshaft sensor?
Where is it located on the head? I hope its reachable and just end bolts/snaps to place a another?

FYI I have had an airconditioning hose broken on the crusier (leaked) after an oil change at a local dealership before, where they also left the oil cap off. I assume the poorly experienced oil changer at the dealership used the airconditioning hoses as a place to push on as he worked so he caused a leak between the host and it's metal fittings on the end. The air isn't as cold as it was now since the recharge.

So I will be weighing if it's worth the warranty fix or not here. I would bet money with you if I take it to the dealer even if they don't mess something else up they will be telling me it needs something else which makes the bill a lot more.

FYI I can work on cars, I have 97 BMW m3 which I am proud to say I have maintained myself for the last 6 years without visits to a mechanic except to have alignments. 97 m3 with 105,000 is an ecomony car for me to own, but surely isn't for those which deal with the dealerships. FYI BMWs have electric part issues, and need things replaced. They have a sensor for almost everything and the sensors fail. So I have replaced a lot of stuff but the parts are cheap (especially) online compared to the labor/service costs.

[CREWZIN]

Ron,

Don't know what to say about the battery. I'm on my second battery since the PT is 8 years on with 94,400 miles and both batteries were/are completely free of corrosion. Mine came with a blanket completely surrounding the battery, does your have it? I think it's only to keep the engine heat away though.

The Camshaft sensor is pretty easy to replace. (see pic below). It's on the right side of the engine as you face it from the front.

[ron2004gt]

Thanks for the picture and information. Look like the camshaft sensor is EASY to fix. Nothing spring loaded to fall out when removing it, correct?

FYI the PT GT cruiser with 5spd is my wife's baby it's candy red with nicer after market woody panels and she loves that car. In fact she doesn't allow to me to drive it except when I service it. It's a nice car but my 6 cylinder m3 has it beat for power etc etc. so I don't need it. Been married 27 years here and I know I need to be very careful not to mess up HER STUFF!

So my wife (she who must be served or I will be made unhappy) insists I MUST buy the part from chrysler or a at least a MOPAR part? I see there several different cam sensor part makers online. My wife fears chrysler will not honor her warrantly if I don't but genuine chrysler parts.

YEP the battery corrosion is strange ... yes it has a blanket and you are right that's just a heat shield. The corrosion continues to threaten the cable-connector ... guess I will show it to an autoparts person and see if he can figure why it happens. Be thankful your PT doesn't have this problem.

[CREWZIN]

I've never had to change the Camshaft sensor itself so I don't know if its' spring loaded.

I did have the wiring harness from the sensor, which runs along the back side of the engine, come loose and dangle close enough to the half shaft to burn the wires causing a loss of signal from the sensor to the computer. The PT comes to an abrupt halt when there's no signal. That was 11pm while I was on 95 South on cruise control in South Carolina. Thank the guy who inventer cell phones. I ws towed to a Chrysler dealer the next morning (Motel overnight) and diagnosed as the Camshaft sensor for $200 with labor. While unhooking the wires, the tech found the burnt part and put the wires back together and I was on my way for 1 hours labor and no parts.



Tow truck broke the front undercar LED lights picking it up.

[soonercruiser]

I will post a separate thread on battery terminal corrosion.
See it!

[Sweendog13]

Here's a neat link I found that holds a step-by-step instruction on replacement & precautions!

Chrysler PT Cruiser cam sensor replacement: standard and turbo

[Taggert_LOA]

mutliple cam sensor issues could be a timing misalignment. i went thru 6 cam sensors before the dealer figured out my timing jumped 6 degrees. dealer did the belt under the powertrain warranty.

[ChefTank]

Originally Posted by Taggert_LOA

mutliple cam sensor issues could be a timing misalignment. i went thru 6 cam sensors before the dealer figured out my timing jumped 6 degrees. dealer did the belt under the powertrain warranty.

you know better than to bump a 2 year old thread! lol at taggert!