What P0344 means
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.
How the engine computer detects it
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 synchronization 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.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Sporadic loss of power (cam timing off)
- Jerking, rough idle
- Occasionally longer cranking
Common causes
- Moisture or oil inside the sensor, dropping out when hot Most likely
- Loose contact or corrosion at the connector Most likely
- Tone wheel on the phaser damaged or loose Possible
- Interference or chafed wiring Possible
- Crankshaft signal disturbed (wrong reference) Less likely
How to diagnose P0344
- Read every stored code with an OBD-II scanner. If misfire or fuel trim codes are there too, fix those first: they often cause this one.
- Inspect the parts involved: camshaft position sensor, camshaft tone wheel, sensor wiring, engine control module, cam phaser intake bank1.
- Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
- Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.
Vehicles that report P0344 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler | 2005–2016 | 4 | 47k | |
| Ford Focus | 2016–2017 | 3 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0344 (16 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 3
- Ignition system or misfire
- 44
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0344?
Drive gently and only as far as you need to. The engine computer may limit power to protect the engine, so avoid highways and heavy traffic until it's fixed. If the check engine light starts flashing, pull over.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0344?
Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.
Can I fix P0344 myself?
Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: easy. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0344. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.