Diagnostic Code 0304

Does anyone know the specific intrepretation of diagnostic code 0340. I do
know that it has something to do with a cyclinder misfiring, but what I'm
not sure of, is does that mean that there's a bad coil, fuel injector,
spark plug, or valve? Also, how do I test for problems with either of
these components?

This code is for a 1995 Toyota Avalon.

"cea1" <cea1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:3e4d6c6c87bcc2f7c0a31d0991f92189@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...[color=blue]
> Does anyone know the specific intrepretation of diagnostic code 0340. I do
> know that it has something to do with a cyclinder misfiring, but what I'm
> not sure of, is does that mean that there's a bad coil, fuel injector,
> spark plug, or valve? Also, how do I test for problems with either of
> these components?
>
> This code is for a 1995 Toyota Avalon.
>[/color]

Code P0340 means camshaft position sensor circuit malfunction

The diagnostic code P0304 means that a misfire was detected in Cylinder 4.
Since you ask about misfiring, I'm assuming the 0340 in the text body was a
typo and the 0304 in the subject is correct.

When the DTC says that a misfire was detected in cylinder 4, and the check
engine light is on, it means that the system detected at least 1 misfire per
1,000 engine revolutions. If the check engine light is flashing then it
detected at least 1 misfire per 200 engine revolutions and you need to get
the condition resolved soon before it ruins your catalytic converter.

The DTC does not give you the cause of the condition - it only gives a
condition. A cylinder misfire can be caused by a problem with the things
you mentioned as well as ignition timing, the wiring between the components
you listed and the ECU, and the ECU itself. Rather than taking wild guesses
and replacing parts, the smart thing to do would be to check the components.
If a spark is intermittent, proper equipment like an oscilloscope is needed
to diagnose.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

..

Do you know the actual description of the code? That would help, but
unfortunately with most engine misfires it could very well be a number
of things. My advice is to check over everything and then start
replacing the simple components first (spark plugs, wires, coils, etc).
Before you spend money on anything though run some basic tests on the
coils and wires and pull the spark plugs to check them out.


[url]http://www.carforums.net/[/url]
Auto Forums

"xblazinlv" <mike@carforums.net> wrote in message
news:1134767289.697092.25750@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Do you know the actual description of the code? That would help, but
> unfortunately with most engine misfires it could very well be a number
> of things. My advice is to check over everything and then start
> replacing the simple components first (spark plugs, wires, coils, etc).
> Before you spend money on anything though run some basic tests on the
> coils and wires and pull the spark plugs to check them out.
>[/color]

Replacing even simple components without checking to see if they are good or
not is usually the most expensive way to fix a car.

Check before replacing!

--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

Ray O,

Thanks for responding to my question! I don't have the testing device that
you referred to, but I what I have done is pulled the injector from the
cyclinder in question, which appeared to be a little clot. I cleared it up
put it back in but the rough idle is still there. My next move is to take
it to the dealer for hopefully an honest diagnosis.

By the way the exact description of the DTC code is "P0304, Cyclinder 4,
Misfire Detected".

"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
news:716f1$43a3337a$44a4a10d$9074@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "xblazinlv" <mike@carforums.net> wrote in message
> news:1134767289.697092.25750@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>> Do you know the actual description of the code? That would help, but
>> unfortunately with most engine misfires it could very well be a number
>> of things. My advice is to check over everything and then start
>> replacing the simple components first (spark plugs, wires, coils, etc).
>> Before you spend money on anything though run some basic tests on the
>> coils and wires and pull the spark plugs to check them out.
>>[/color]
>
> Replacing even simple components without checking to see if they are good
> or not is usually the most expensive way to fix a car.
>
> Check before replacing!
>
> --
> Ray O[/color]

I'd almost bet it's the plug wire.

Al

There are a couple of other easy things you can do also. Lucky for you
you're working with one of the front bank cylinders!
Try moving the #4 coil to a different cylinder and see what you get. If
the misfire code follows the coil to a different cylinder, then you know
what is at fault. You can do the same with the spark plug, injector,
etc...

The code is,
P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction


The entire list of codes is
[url]http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm[/url]



I'm gonna go out on a limb here, you need a Cam Sensor.





"cea1" <cea1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:3e4d6c6c87bcc2f7c0a31d0991f92189@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...[color=blue]
> Does anyone know the specific intrepretation of diagnostic code 0340. I do
> know that it has something to do with a cyclinder misfiring, but what I'm
> not sure of, is does that mean that there's a bad coil, fuel injector,
> spark plug, or valve? Also, how do I test for problems with either of
> these components?
>
> This code is for a 1995 Toyota Avalon.
>[/color]

The code means the spark plug isn't working right. I've seen this code come
from a broken plug wire.




"cea1" <cea1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:f3ef54db7f358dfb829a221792f2d4bf@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...[color=blue]
> Ray O,
>
> Thanks for responding to my question! I don't have the testing device that
> you referred to, but I what I have done is pulled the injector from the
> cyclinder in question, which appeared to be a little clot. I cleared it up
> put it back in but the rough idle is still there. My next move is to take
> it to the dealer for hopefully an honest diagnosis.
>
> By the way the exact description of the DTC code is "P0304, Cyclinder 4,
> Misfire Detected".
>
>[/color]

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:dZWdncSBlP4J6z7enZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=blue]
> The code is,
> P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
>
>
> The entire list of codes is
> [url]http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm[/url]
>
>
>
> I'm gonna go out on a limb here, you need a Cam Sensor.
>[/color]

I think the OP had a typo - the subject said P0304 and the message body said
P0340.

I've never heard of a cam position sensor going bad on a Toyota but I have
heard of misfires so I took a shot and focused ont he P0304, which turns out
the be the code he had.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply
[color=blue]
>
>
> "cea1" <cea1@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:3e4d6c6c87bcc2f7c0a31d0991f92189@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...[color=green]
>> Does anyone know the specific intrepretation of diagnostic code 0340. I
>> do
>> know that it has something to do with a cyclinder misfiring, but what I'm
>> not sure of, is does that mean that there's a bad coil, fuel injector,
>> spark plug, or valve? Also, how do I test for problems with either of
>> these components?
>>
>> This code is for a 1995 Toyota Avalon.
>>[/color]
>[/color]

"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
news:306a$43a4a779$180fead6$8753@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:dZWdncSBlP4J6z7enZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=green]
>> The code is,
>> P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
>>
>>
>> The entire list of codes is
>> [url]http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm[/url]
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm gonna go out on a limb here, you need a Cam Sensor.
>>[/color]
>
> I think the OP had a typo -[/color]


Yeah, I got that right after I clicked Send.

Does his motor have multiple coils, or does it have a distributor and wires?
We have a Ford Escort that gave that code (P0304, 0302 actually) and the #2
plug wire was toast. The Code pretty hit the nail on the head in that case
.... I'd suppose a bad coil would give the same code if there was a separate
coil for each spark plug.




the subject said P0304 and the message body said[color=blue]
> P0340.
>
> I've never heard of a cam position sensor going bad on a Toyota but I have
> heard of misfires so I took a shot and focused ont he P0304, which turns
> out the be the code he had.
> --
> Ray O
> correct the return address punctuation to reply
>[color=green]
>>
>>
>> "cea1" <cea1@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:3e4d6c6c87bcc2f7c0a31d0991f92189@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...[color=darkred]
>>> Does anyone know the specific intrepretation of diagnostic code 0340. I
>>> do
>>> know that it has something to do with a cyclinder misfiring, but what
>>> I'm
>>> not sure of, is does that mean that there's a bad coil, fuel injector,
>>> spark plug, or valve? Also, how do I test for problems with either of
>>> these components?
>>>
>>> This code is for a 1995 Toyota Avalon.
>>>[/color]
>>[/color]
>
>[/color]

I seem to remember that the older Avalons had a coil on each plug.

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:VMidnTEWFZmdUDneRVn-ow@ez2.net...[color=blue]
>
> "Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
> news:306a$43a4a779$180fead6$8753@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:dZWdncSBlP4J6z7enZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=darkred]
>>> The code is,
>>> P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
>>>
>>>
>>> The entire list of codes is
>>> [url]http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm[/url]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm gonna go out on a limb here, you need a Cam Sensor.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> I think the OP had a typo -[/color]
>
>
> Yeah, I got that right after I clicked Send.
>
> Does his motor have multiple coils, or does it have a distributor and
> wires? We have a Ford Escort that gave that code (P0304, 0302 actually)
> and the #2 plug wire was toast. The Code pretty hit the nail on the head
> in that case ... I'd suppose a bad coil would give the same code if there
> was a separate coil for each spark plug.
>[/color]

I'm pretty the OP's car has a coil for each cylinder.



--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
news:448ca$43a50ac9$180fead6$12324@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:VMidnTEWFZmdUDneRVn-ow@ez2.net...[color=green]
>>
>> "Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOT.com> wrote in message
>> news:306a$43a4a779$180fead6$8753@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:dZWdncSBlP4J6z7enZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@ez2.net...
>>>> The code is,
>>>> P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The entire list of codes is
>>>> [url]http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm[/url]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I'm gonna go out on a limb here, you need a Cam Sensor.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I think the OP had a typo -[/color]
>>
>>
>> Yeah, I got that right after I clicked Send.
>>
>> Does his motor have multiple coils, or does it have a distributor and
>> wires? We have a Ford Escort that gave that code (P0304, 0302 actually)
>> and the #2 plug wire was toast. The Code pretty hit the nail on the head
>> in that case ... I'd suppose a bad coil would give the same code if there
>> was a separate coil for each spark plug.
>>[/color]
>
> I'm pretty the OP's car has a coil for each cylinder.
>[/color]

Then the diagnostics would include the possibility that the respective coil
was bad. Perhaps switching the coil to another plug and watch the Code
change ...